1. Group Influence Module 76

2. Social Facilitation
Most likely response is strengthened in the presence of others - Crowds activate our sympathetic nervous system.
Improved performance of tasks in the presence of others
Occurs with simple or well learned tasks
Social Inhibition - Tasks that are difficult or not yet learned then the presence of other people is likely to hinder performance
Deals with levels of arousal (Yerkes-Dodson Law)

3. Social Loafing
Tendency to expend less effort on a task when it is a group effort
The larger the group, the lower each individual’s output
People may be less accountable in a group, or they may think their efforts aren’t needed.
Reduced when…
Group is composed of people we know
We are members of a highly valued group
Task is meaningful
Women are generally less likely to engage in social loafing than are men.
Social Striving - Opposite occurs in many collectivistic cultures, people work harder in a group setting

4. Deindividuation
The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity
People lose their sense of responsibility when in a group.

5. Group Polarization
When group decisions end up as extreme versions of what each individual’s preferences are.
Get a bunch of violent people together and they will come up with more aggressive plans than if they were acting alone.
Originally called risky shift - Group takes more chances when making a decision than individuals

6. Social Pressure in Group Decisions
Group polarization
When people find themselves in groups of like-minded types, they are likely to move to extremes
Creates an Us vs. Them mentality
Why does this occur?
informational and normative influences
Against
For
Group 1
Group 2
Before group discussion
Strength of opinion
(a)
After group discussion
(b)
This figure was adapted from the Gray CD version of figure 14.6

7. Group Polarization
Separation + Conversation = Polarization

8. Groupthink
When the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of the alternatives
Group members try to maintain harmony and unanimity in group
Can lead to worse decisions than individuals when people don’t raise concerns or alternatives so they can instead agree with the group.
Prevented when a leader welcomes various opinions & critiques & assigns people to identify possible problems.

9. Our Power as Individuals

10. Minority Influence One or Two people can sway a majority IF…
Hold firm to your position and don’t waffle
Self-confidence makes others consider why you are staying with your position & they may develop sympathy for your position & rethink their view.

11. Cultural Influences on Behavior
Cultural NORMS – Rules for accepted & expected behavior in society
Can change with time.
Would this be accepted for Graduation?