Lecture 17: Groups

What is group behavior?

Group behavior studies how being part of a group influences individuals' actions, decisions, and attitudes.

What is the Bystander Effect?

The tendency for individuals to be less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.

What key study is associated with the Bystander Effect?

Darley & Latané (1968), where participants overheard someone having a seizure.

What phenomenon explains inaction during emergencies in larger groups?

Diffusion of responsibility—people assume someone else will take action.

What was the Kitty Genovese Case an example of?

The bystander effect, where many witnesses failed to intervene in her murder.

Why do people join groups?

Groups provide a sense of belonging and shared identity.

What does Henri Tajfel’s Minimal Group Paradigm illustrate?

Even arbitrary group assignments lead to in-group favoritism and out-group bias.

What is the purpose of categorization in group behavior?

Helps make decisions efficiently by organizing information into categories.

What is Thin Slicing?

Making quick judgments about others based on limited information.

What concept refers to unconscious biases influencing behavior?

Implicit bias.

What is an example of implicit bias?

Media portrayal of young Black men as looters during Hurricane Katrina.

What defines explicit bias?

Conscious biases that individuals are aware of and can express verbally.

What is the Prisoner’s Dilemma?

A game theory scenario where two individuals must choose between cooperation or betrayal.

What is the outcome if both players cooperate in the Prisoner’s Dilemma?

Both receive a moderate reward (e.g., both get 2 years in prison).

What is the Ultimatum Game?

A setup where a proposer offers a split of $10 and the responder can accept or reject.

What is the finding regarding time pressure in the Public Goods Game?

Time pressure leads to more generosity, as fast decisions are often kind.

How can group bias amplify stereotypes?

Through categorization, snap judgments, and implicit bias.

What did Payne's 2001 study demonstrate?

Participants identified objects as guns or tools faster when they matched racial stereotypes.

What are some positive aspects of groups?

Groups can achieve things individuals cannot, fostering cooperation and generosity.

What can undermine generosity in group decision making?

Calculated decisions may lean toward self-interest while spontaneous decisions often reflect better nature.