7A-7D Social Psychology: Groups, Culture, Obedience, Conformity, Media & Motivation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on social groups, culture, obedience, conformity, media, and motivation.

Group

Two or more people who interact and influence each other and share a common objective. Examples: a netball team; two people waiting for the bus is not a group.

In-group

A group that an individual belongs to or identifies with. Example: students at your school; thus students from your school are in-group.

Out-group

A group that an individual does not belong to or identify with. Example: students who do not play a sport when others in-school play it might be an out-group.

Group Norms

Standards, values, or rules that outline appropriate behaviour within a group.

Social Identity Theory

Tendency to favour one's in-group over an out-group to enhance self-esteem. Example: fans of one football team view their team as best and look down on rivals.

Social Loafing

A reduction in effort when working in a group compared to working alone, due to the belief others will contribute.

Culture

The customs, behaviours, and values of a particular group in society.

Individualist Cultures

Cultures that prioritise the needs/goals of individuals and value independence. Example: the United States, where independence and personal achievement are valued.

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures that prioritise the needs/goals of the group. Example: Japan, where group harmony and community needs are emphasised.

Obedience

Compliance with commands issued by an authority figure. Example: a student following a teacher’s instruction to stay after class.

Status of Authority Figure

Greater status or power increases obedience; people are more likely to obey those perceived to have status or power. Example: more likely to show a license to a police officer than to a sibling.

Proximity

Greater physical or relational proximity to the command increases obedience. Example: a student is more likely to follow instructions from a teacher standing next to them.

Group Pressure

Tendency to obey increases as the number of others who obey increases; social influence to conform when others obey.

Conformity

Adjusting thoughts, feelings, or behaviours to match those of others or a social group.

Social Norms

Society’s unofficial rules and expectations about how individuals should act.

Groupthink

Group unanimity overrules individuals’ realistic appraisal of consequences. Example: a student goes along with peers’ view despite doubts.

Group Shift

Group influence causes an individual to adopt a more extreme position than they would alone.

Deindividuation

Tendency to lose one’s sense of identity and individuality within a group, often increasing anonymity and reducing personal responsibility.

Media

Forms in which information is communicated and spread in society. Examples: print media (newspapers, magazines, mail) and digital media (social media, video games, television).

Technological Determination

Theory that technology unavoidably shapes cultural and social change; the form of media can drive change more than its content.

Social Connections

The network of people available to someone for support and engagement.

Social Comparison

People measure their self-worth in relation to others, which can affect mental wellbeing.

Addictive Behaviours

Behaviours linked to dependence on a stimulus despite negative consequences (e.g., excessive gaming affecting sleep or school).

Information Access

How easily information can be accessed by different people.

Independence

Freedom from the control or influence of others; acting autonomously.

Self-determination Theory

Theory that people achieve self-determination when three basic needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—are met.

Autonomy

Need to act authentically based on personal choice and intrinsic motivation.

Competence

Need to feel capable and skilled to meaningfully affect one’s environment.

Relatedness

Need to feel attachment, connection, and belonging with others.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation to perform a behaviour to earn a reward or avoid punishment, not for personal enjoyment.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation to perform a behaviour because it is personally rewarding or enjoyable.

Anti-conformity

Deliberate refusal to comply with social norms or standards for thoughts, feelings, or behaviours.

Reactance

Motivational state of distress and resistance when personal freedom is threatened; can energise anti-conformity.

Individuation

When an individual’s identity and contributions to a group are noticeable, increasing accountability and responsibility.

Social Support

Support from others who share similar attitudes or perspectives; can influence the development of deviant subgroups.

Deviant Subgroups

Groups that hold values and norms outside dominant societal norms (e.g., gangs that reject mainstream laws and form their own rules).