1. Groups, Conformity and Behaviours

2. Primary Groups
people who are emotionally close, know one another well, and seek one another’s company. Interactions are intimate, personal, caring, and fulfilling.
First and most important groups in our lives
Most influential group
There are rules and you conform to them
Ex: family, group of friends
FAMILY- curfew that you abide by, certain rules you must obey
FRIENDS – fads, influenced and conform to their norms (i.e. if they exercise, you might too, dress same, etc.)

3. Secondary Groups
Secondary groups are people who share only part of their lives while focusing on a goal or task.
Impersonal, more formal
Temporary/short-term relationships
Ex: School, business, team

4. All Groups have:
1. Norms-implicit rules shared by a group of individuals, that guide their interactions with others and among society or social group. People conform to norms What are some norms at the movie theatre? What are some norms of table etiquette?
Don’t conform to the law i.e. arrested, charged, etc.

5. All Groups have:
2. Sanctions—rewards and punishments used to enforce conformity to the norms
money, approval, popularity, praise, etc. (positive)
suspensions, arrests, fines, threats etc.(negative)
Examples of positive and negative sanctions at school?
Obedience is a form of social influence in which a person accepts instructions or orders from an authority figure.

6. Negative Sanctions Norm: You dress up for an interview
But, someone goes to interview for a business position wearing ripped jeans
Sanction: Negative. You don’t get the job
Norm: You put coins in a parking meter
But, you were longer than expected and you didn’t put enough coins in
Sanction: Negative. Time expires. You get a fine.

7. Personal Involvement in Groups- Assignment
Write the name of three group to which you belong
For each, write:
How long have you been a part of this group? What type of group is it (primary or secondary)
What needs does the group meet? (why are you still a member?)
What is your role in the group?
What are the groups norms?
What sanctions does the group use to ensure conformity?
I.E our class
One semester
Secondary group
Educational and social needs
Teacher
Participate, sit and listen to others opinions, put up hand to talk, participate, etc.
Marks (positive), negative (principal, suspensions, failing)

8. Conformity and Groupthink
Conformity is the behavior that matches group expectations. It influences the formation and maintenance of social norms and allows society to function smoothly and predictably
i.e. in math class everyone has a different answer to the problem than you. You’re a math genius but when the teacher asks you for the answer you agree with your classmates.
Groupthink is self deceptive thinking that is based on conformity to group beliefs, and created by group pressure to conform
Have you ever conformed to a group because you were pressured to
Examples

10. Questions: Discuss in Groups
Is conformity essential to make society function properly?
What are the dangers and advantages of a society that conforms?
Can people be manipulated to conform to ideas and behaviours without being aware they are being manipulated?