1. Unit 12: Social Pyschology
CHS AP Psychology
Unit 12: Social Pyschology
Essential Task 12-4: Describe the structure and function of different kinds of group behavior with specific attention to group polarization and group think 
Logo Green is R=8 G=138 B= Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184
Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

2. Margaret Bourke-White/ Life Magazine. © 1946 Time Warner, Inc.
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.
OBJECTIVE 12| Identify the characteristic common to minority positions that sway majorities.
Gandhi

3. Individual Behavior in the Presence of Others
Social facilitation: Refers to improved performance on tasks in the presence of others.
Triplett (1898) noticed cyclists’ race times were faster when they competed against others than when they just raced against the clock.
OBJECTIVE 10| Describe conditions in which the presence of others is likely to result in social facilitation, social loafing, or deindividuation.
Michelle Agnis/ NYT Pictures

4. Social Facilitation
Knowing that performance on tasks diminishes when we are not good at that task…
Should students schedule when they take tests so that can take them when they are ready? Why or why not?
Should students be allowed to give oral presentations in front of just the teacher if they believe their project isn’t good, or if they are uncomfortable with their public speaking ability? Why or why not?

5. Social Loafing
The tendency of an individual in a group to exert less effort toward attaining a common goal than when tested individually (Latané, 1981).
If social loafing is such a problem, why do teachers still use it?
How can group members motivate each other to work their hardest during group work?

6. Deindividuation
The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.
Mob behavior

7. Groupthink
A mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides the realistic appraisal of alternatives.
Groupthink occurs when people suppress their opinions to maintain perceived group harmony
The presence of a charismatic leader also makes it difficult to speak out

8. Groupthink
Groupthink- syndrome of bad decision-making
12.17 4 12 13

9. Group Polarization
Group Polarization- tendency to shift toward more extreme positions after group discussion
It occurs because:
social comparison- “everyone else is holding ‘better’ view”
informational influence- “I never considered that”
normative influence- “I should shift with the group norm”
social decision schemes- “majority rules”
Risky
Cautious
Neutral

10. Effects of Group Interaction
Group Polarization enhances a group’s prevailing attitudes through a discussion.
If a group is like-minded, discussion strengthens its prevailing opinions and attitudes.
OBJECTIVE 11| Discuss how group interaction can facilitate group polarization and groupthink.
How does the Internet provide a place for group polarization to occur?