MCAT: Group processes, How the Presence of Others Affects Individual Behavior, Socialization

Deindividuation

the loss of self-awareness/individual identity due to being part of a large anonymous group

Bystander effect

individual responds less quickly when they're in a group than they otherwise would by themselves

Groupthink

tendency for groups to make decisions based on ideas and solutions that arise within the group without considering outside ideas and ethics,

based on pressure to conform and remain loyal to the group

Bystander effect can result from

social etiquette, diffusion of responsibility, urgency of situation

Social loafing

individuals put in less effort when in a group setting than they would if working individually

Choice shift

change in decisions before and after group interactions,

describes changes to decisions at group level

Yerkes-Dodson effect

describes the influence of levels of arousal on the performance of a task,

Y-axis = weak --> strong (performance),

X-axis = bored --> stressed (mental arousal)

Group cohesiveness

relates to the unity of a group but is not necessarily connected with size, anonymity, or civil unrest

Group assimilation

minority ethnic groups are integrated into the culture of society's dominant group

Conformity

an act of matching behavior or belief with the group,

continuing to agree with those around you

Obedience

doing as someone in authority demands

Group polarization

the tendency toward extreme decisions in a group,

occurs in situations with collaborative group decision-making,

describes changes at individual level

Identity shift

occurs when an individual's state of harmony is disrupted by a threat of social rejection

Factors increasing the likelihood of groupthink

group cohesion,

poor leadership,

pressure to conform,

stress

Polarization

the tendency for individuals in a group to move toward a more extreme version of the position they held before the discussion

Risky shift

the tendency for individuals in a group to move toward a more extreme version of the position they held before the discussion

Cautious shift

the tendency for an individual to adopt a more cautious approach following a group discussion

Mental arousal

a state of being reactive or awake in response to stimuli

Peer pressure

being influenced by peers to do something

Compliance

changing behavior in direct response to a request from a peer

Socialization

the process by which individuals acquire the social skills, beliefs, and behaviors necessary to function effectively in a group

Social norms

informal rules that govern behavior in groups and societies

Agents of socialization

any of the significant persons, groups, institutions, and media that contribute to an individual's socialization

Stigma

disapproval or dislike of an individual or group based on perceived differences

Deviance

the violation of social or cultural norms

Types of deviance

crime (a violation of society's formal rules),

informal deviance (a violation of society's informal rules)

Social facilitation

the tendency for people to perform better on simple tasks when others are around

Social interaction

looks at the behavior and actions of two or more individuals who take one another into account

Social action

a behavior that is performed or modulated based on the social environment and how it will affect those present,

assumes that people can consciously change their behavior because others are present and considers how one's actions can affect others

What is the difference between choice shift and group polarization?

group vs individual behavior shift