1. Group Influence and Prejudice
Bell Ringer
Agenda
What is a social norm?
Come up with three examples of a social norm.
Prejudice
Discuss the Jane Elliot Study
America in 1968, Police footage (CSPAN)
Target article.
Stereotyping activity

2. Group Influence and Prejudice
Social Psychology
Group Influence and Prejudice

3. Reasons for Conforming to the Group
Normative Social Influence
Influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid rejection
A person may respect normal behavior because there may be a severe price to pay if not respected.
Informational social influence
The group may provide valuable information about how to act
Ex. You’re new to school and just go with the flow at a pep rally

4. Behaviors can change around others
Social Facilitating
Refers to improved performance on tasks in the presence of others.
Social Loathing
The tendency of an individual in a group to exert less effort toward attaining a common goal because the attention is not on them
Ex. Group work. Some people do the work others don’t but still get the good grade

5. De-individualism Mob Mentality Ex. Freddie Gray “Protest” 2015
The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations makes you act like you wouldn’t normally act because you think you can’t be held accountable.
Ex. Freddie Gray “Protest” 2015

6. Effects of Group Interaction
Group Polarization
Enhances a group’s prevailing attitudes though discussion
If a group is like-minded, discussion strengthens its prevailing attitudes and opinions.

7. Groupthink Disastrous consequence of group polarization
It is mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision- making group overrides the realistic alternatives or viewpoints.
Example: leads to poor decisions that can effect many people

8. Power of Individuals
The power of social influence is enormous, but so is the power of the individual.
Non-violent fasts and appeals by Gandhi led to the independence of India from the British.
Margaret Bourke-White/ Life Magazine. © 1946 Time Warner, Inc.
Preview Question 6: How much power do we have as individuals? Can a minority sway a majority?
Gandhi

9. Prejudice and Racism

10. Prejudice
Simply called “prejudgment,” a prejudice is an unjustifiable(usually negative) attitude toward a group and its members.
Prejudice is often directed towards different cultural, ethnic, or gender groups.

11. Sources of Prejudice Psychological Social Economic Cultural
Low self-esteem
Anxiety
Insecurity
Groupthink
Conformity
Parental messages
Societal messages (ads, etc.)
Majority’s desire to preserve its status
Competition for jobs, power, resources
Ethnocentrism
Desire for group identity
The justification of war

12. How Prejudiced are People?
Over the duration of time many prejudices against interracial marriage, gender, homosexuality, and minorities have decreased.

13. Racial & Gender Prejudice
Americans today express much less racial and gender prejudice, but prejudices still exist.

14. Us vs. Them Ingroup Outgroup Ingroup Bias The Just-World-Effect
People with whom one shares a common identity.
Outgroup
Those perceived as different from one’s ingroup.
Ingroup Bias
The tendency to favor one’s own group.
The Just-World-Effect
The tendency of people to believe the world is just, because “bad” people get what they deserve

15. Jane Elliot

16. Stereotyping Activity
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