Types of Social Interaction

Cooperation “How can we reach our goal?” A form of interaction in which individuals or groups combine their efforts to reach a goal Usually occurs when… Reaching a goal demands the best use of limited resources and efforts Examples: survivors of a plane crash in the mountains; victims of natural disasters Exists outside of emergencies as well Examples: rules for games; sharing household duties

Conflict Groups or individuals that work against one another for a larger share of the rewards. Defeating the opponent is essential Social Benefits of Conflict: Promotes cooperation and unity within opposing groups Example: A neighborhood bully can bring together 2 brothers who usually don’t get along. Draws attention to social inequities Examples: Civil Rights activists in the 60s convinced Congress to make laws to ensure basic rights and freedoms to all people.

Social Exchange “What is in it for me?” A voluntary action performed in the expectation of getting a reward in return Benefit to be earned rather than the relationship itself that is key Example: You help a friend wash her car, she then helps you study for a test

Coercion Individuals or groups are forced to give in to the will of other individuals or groups One-way street; central element is domination May occur through: physical force (imprisonment, torture, or death) Example: Prisoners of war can be forced to reveal information to enemies. More often through: social pressure (ridicule, rejection, withdrawal of affection) Example: Parents can control behavior of young children by threatening to withdraw privileges.

Conformity Behavior that matches group expectations Adapt behavior to fit behavior of those around us Necessary for culture and social structure Church Family University Government

Competition Groups or individuals that work against each other in order to “win” something in return for their efforts. In the workforce for promotion Sports Sibling Rivalry Etc.

Group Think Self-deceptive thinking that is based on conformity to group beliefs, and created by group pressure to conform Discourages members from expressing their concerns about group decisions Examples: JFK’s Bay of Pigs Invasion, Personal examples??? occurs when a group values harmony and coherance over accurate analysis and critical evaluation. It causes individual members of the group to unquestioningly follow the word of the leader and it strongly discourages any disagreement with the concensus. 

Bystander Effect Or bystander apathy: occurs when the presence of others hinders an individual from intervening in an emergency situation. Social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley popularized the concept following the infamous 1964 Kitty Genovese murder in Kew Gardens, New York. The probability of help is inversely related to the number of bystanders

Pop Quiz Time each answer will be used only 1 time a. Cooperation b. Conflict c. Social Exchange d. Coercion e. Conformity f. Competition 1. Blood donors expect payment 2. Students read what a teacher assigns 3. Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait 4. Flood victims help each other 5. Employees are forced to work overtime or be fired 6. NPHS vs EPHS in football