Social Influence and Group Processes

NCERT Class 12 Psychology Chapter 7: Social Influence and Group Processes (Pages 120–131)

Summary of Social Influence and Group Processes

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Social Influence and Group Processes Summary

In this chapter, students will learn about the fundamental nature and formation of groups. Groups are defined as organized systems of individuals who interact, are interdependent, and share common interests and goals. This includes understanding the characteristics that make groups distinct, such as roles, status, and norms. Types of groups, including primary and secondary groups, formal and informal groups, as well as ingroups and outgroups, are also discussed. In-groups are those we belong to, while outgroups are those we do not. The chapter highlights why people join groups, emphasizing reasons such as the need for security, status, self-esteem, and social satisfaction. The chapter further examines how groups influence individual behavior, illustrating concepts like social facilitation and social loafing. Social loafing describes the tendency of individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include reduced individual accountability and a lack of coordination among group members. The chapter also introduces crucial concepts such as groupthink, which can lead to poor decision-making within cohesive groups due to an aversion to dissent. Another key idea presented is group polarization, the tendency for group discussions to lead to more extreme positions or attitudes than individual members would adopt on their own. This can result in decisions being significantly more extreme after group interaction. Through activities and experiments, students will engage with these theories, discussing real-life examples and exploring the implications of group dynamics on decision-making and social behavior. Overall, this chapter provides essential insights into the interplay between individual behaviors and the social structures of groups, preparing students to understand their roles within various social contexts.

Social Influence and Group Processes learning objectives

  • In this chapter, students will learn about the fundamental nature and formation of groups.
  • Groups are defined as organized systems of individuals who interact, are interdependent, and share common interests and goals.
  • This includes understanding the characteristics that make groups distinct, such as roles, status, and norms.
  • Types of groups, including primary and secondary groups, formal and informal groups, as well as ingroups and outgroups, are also discussed.

Social Influence and Group Processes key concepts

  • In this chapter, readers will delve into the fundamental aspects of social influence and group processes within psychology.
  • It begins by defining what constitutes a group and differentiating it from mere collections of individuals.
  • Characteristics of groups, such as mutual interdependence, roles, and norms, are discussed.
  • The chapter also covers various reasons why individuals join groups, highlighting the psychological needs they fulfill, including security, status, and self-esteem.
  • Additionally, it examines how groups affect individual behavior, exploring concepts like social loafing and group polarization.

Important topics in Social Influence and Group Processes

  1. 1.This chapter explores the nature, formation, and impact of groups on individual behavior within the realm of psychology.
  2. 2.Key concepts include group dynamics, social loafing, and group polarization.
  3. 3.In this chapter, students will learn about the fundamental nature and formation of groups.
  4. 4.Groups are defined as organized systems of individuals who interact, are interdependent, and share common interests and goals.
  5. 5.This includes understanding the characteristics that make groups distinct, such as roles, status, and norms.
  6. 6.Types of groups, including primary and secondary groups, formal and informal groups, as well as ingroups and outgroups, are also discussed.

Social Influence and Group Processes syllabus breakdown

In this chapter, readers will delve into the fundamental aspects of social influence and group processes within psychology. It begins by defining what constitutes a group and differentiating it from mere collections of individuals. Characteristics of groups, such as mutual interdependence, roles, and norms, are discussed. The chapter also covers various reasons why individuals join groups, highlighting the psychological needs they fulfill, including security, status, and self-esteem. Additionally, it examines how groups affect individual behavior, exploring concepts like social loafing and group polarization. The interplay of dynamics in group formation—through stages proposed by Tuckman—is also analyzed, providing insights into the development and functioning of groups.

Social Influence and Group Processes Revision Guide

Revise the most important ideas from Social Influence and Group Processes.

Key Points

1

Definition of a group.

An organized system of two or more individuals with interaction, interdependence, and norms.

2

Characteristics of groups.

Groups have mutual interdependence, defined roles, status differentials, and shared goals.

3

Purpose of joining groups.

Individuals join groups for security, status, self-esteem, psychological needs, and goal achievement.

4

Proximity and similarity in group formation.

Repeated interaction and shared interests encourage friendships and group formation.

5

Stages of group formation (Tuckman's model).

The five stages are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.

6

Role definitions.

Roles are socially defined expectations for behavior in specific contexts, guiding group interactions.

7

Norms in groups.

Norms are unspoken rules that dictate acceptable behaviors and regulate group dynamics.

8

Status within groups.

Recognized positions that can be ascribed or achieved, influencing member dynamics.

9

Cohesiveness in groups.

A measure of attraction among members, leading to increased commitment and group identity.

10

Groupthink phenomenon.

A tendency for cohesive groups to prioritize consensus over critical evaluation, risking poor decisions.

11

Social facilitation effects.

Presence of others enhances performance on well-practiced tasks due to increased arousal.

12

Social loafing phenomenon.

Individuals exert less effort in group tasks when their contributions aren't individually recognized.

13

Group polarization impact.

Group discussions can strengthen initial opinions, leading to more extreme decisions or views.

14

Ingroup vs outgroup distinctions.

Ingroup refers to one's own group creating solidarity, while outgroup is perceived with bias.

15

Minimal Group Paradigm (Tajfel's study).

Demonstrated that minimal criteria can foster favoritism toward ingroup members even without history.

16

Functions of formal vs informal groups.

Formal groups have defined roles and regulations; informal groups are based on close personal relationships.

17

Importance of leadership in groups.

Effective leadership aligns group goals, fosters cooperation, and helps navigate through conflict.

18

Application of the group processes in real life.

Understanding group dynamics helps in improving teamwork and addressing social issues.

19

Misconception: Groups always lead to better decisions.

While groups can be beneficial, groupthink and polarization may lead to irrational choices.

20

Memory aids for group dynamics.

Use acronyms or visual diagrams to remember stages of group formation and key concepts.

21

Real-world examples of social influence.

Analyzing case studies, like corporate decisions or community initiatives, reinforces understanding.

Social Influence and Group Processes Questions & Answers

Work through important questions and exam-style prompts for Social Influence and Group Processes.

Show all 42 questions
Q9

Which of the following statements is true regarding primary and secondary groups?

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Q10

What can lead to groupthink in cohesive groups?

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Q11

Why is it easy to leave a secondary group compared to a primary group?

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Q12

Which of the following is an example of an outgroup?

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Q13

What describes a characteristic of the Minimal Group Paradigm experiments?

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Q14

What defines a group in psychology?

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Q15

Which characteristic distinguishes a group from a crowd?

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Q16

What is NOT a characteristic of a team?

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Q17

In the context of social groups, what term describes the expectation of behavior among group members?

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Q18

What psychological phenomenon describes the tendency for group members to conform to a consensus view?

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Q19

Which of the following best describes social loafing?

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Q20

What is the primary purpose of norms within a group?

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Q21

Which of the following statements about group dynamics is correct?

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Q22

What term describes an artificial group formed in experiments for the purpose of studying social behavior?

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Q23

In terms of group types, which of the following is an example of a primary group?

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Q24

How do groups influence individual behavior?

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Q25

What is the consequence of group polarization?

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Q26

Which characteristic is least likely to be associated with teams compared to groups?

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Q27

Why is it important to choose the right group for personal development?

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Q28

What is social loafing?

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Q29

Which of the following factors reduces social loafing?

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Q30

Group polarization is most likely to occur in which situation?

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Q31

What typically encourages conformity within groups?

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Q32

Which type of group member is most likely to exhibit social loafing?

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Q33

The phenomenon where group members avoid responsibility is known as:

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Q34

Which is an example of groupthink?

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Q35

What is meant by the term 'social facilitation'?

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Q36

Group decisions can often lead to:

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Q37

Which of the following best describes the Minimal Group Paradigm?

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Q38

Which strategy might reduce the effects of social loafing?

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Q39

What is one reason why group polarization may have dangerous repercussions?

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Q40

Which characteristic is essential for a group to exist?

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Q41

In which scenario is social facilitation most likely to occur?

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Q42

Which of the following could contribute to groupthink?

Single Answer MCQ
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Social Influence and Group Processes Practice Worksheets

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Social Influence and Group Processes - Practice Worksheet

This worksheet covers essential long-answer questions to help you build confidence in Social Influence and Group Processes from Psychology for Class 12 (Psychology).

Practice

Questions

1

Define a group in social psychology. What are its key characteristics, and how do these characteristics distinguish groups from mere collections of individuals?

A group in social psychology is defined as an organized system of two or more individuals who are interdependent and share common goals and motives. Key characteristics include mutual interdependence, defined roles, established norms, and group identity. These features distinguish groups from collections of individuals, such as crowds, where members may not interact or have common interests.

2

Discuss the reasons why individuals join groups. How do these reasons relate to psychological needs?

Individuals join groups for various reasons including security, self-esteem, social needs, goal achievement, and the need for information. For instance, groups provide emotional support (security) and a sense of identity (self-esteem). By fulfilling these psychological needs, groups help individuals feel more connected and reduce feelings of isolation.

3

Explain Tuckman's stages of group development. What happens in each stage, and why is this model significant for understanding group dynamics?

Tuckman identified five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. In 'forming', members get acquainted, which may involve excitement and uncertainty. The 'storming' stage involves conflict as roles and responsibilities are challenged. 'Norming' sees the establishment of norms and cohesion building. 'Performing' is where the group achieves its goals, and 'adjourning' refers to disbanding. This model is significant as it highlights how groups evolve and the challenges they face.

4

What is social loafing? Describe its causes and suggest ways to reduce it in group settings.

Social loafing occurs when individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone. Causes include diffusion of responsibility, lack of accountability, and reduced motivation due to perceived lack of individual impact. To reduce social loafing, tasks should be made identifiable, increase motivation, and emphasize the importance of individual contributions.

5

Define groupthink. What are its characteristics, and what are the potential consequences of this phenomenon?

Groupthink is a phenomenon where the desire for cohesion leads to the suppression of dissenting viewpoints, resulting in poor decision-making. Characteristics include a false sense of invulnerability, collective rationalization, and a belief in inherent group morality. Consequences can be disastrous, such as flawed decisions that ignore external information, exemplified by historical events like the Vietnam War.

6

Describe the concept of group polarization. How does it influence decision-making within groups?

Group polarization occurs when group discussions lead to a strengthening of the group's initial stance, resulting in more extreme positions. This influence is due to individuals hearing new arguments and validating their views through group consensus. For example, discussions about contentious issues can lead to decisions that are far more extreme than the initial opinions held by group members.

7

Compare and contrast formal and informal groups. What are their characteristics and functions in social systems?

Formal groups have explicit structures, roles, and defined objectives, such as a project team in a workplace. Informal groups, however, form organically around shared interests or social connections, like a group of friends. The characteristics include the level of organization, goal orientation, and rules. Both contribute to social systems through social interaction and support.

8

What is the Minimal Group Paradigm? Discuss its significance in understanding social behavior.

The Minimal Group Paradigm is an experimental technique used to examine the minimal conditions necessary for discrimination between groups. It highlights how even arbitrary distinctions can lead to favoritism towards one's own group over others. This has significant implications for understanding prejudice and intergroup relations, showing that group identity can emerge from trivial differences.

9

Analyze the impact of group interdependence on individual behavior. How does belonging to a group affect personal identity and actions?

Group interdependence can significantly affect individual behavior by fostering a sense of belonging and promoting conformity to group norms. Members may alter their behaviors to align with group expectations, which can enhance identity but also lead to loss of individuality. Understanding this can help explain phenomena like peer pressure and social responsibility.

10

What strategies can be employed to create healthier group dynamics? Discuss the importance of these strategies.

Strategies to create healthier group dynamics include promoting open communication, encouraging diverse viewpoints, establishing clear roles and responsibilities, and fostering inclusivity. The importance of these strategies lies in their ability to enhance group effectiveness and member satisfaction, mitigate conflict, and prevent negative phenomena like groupthink.

Social Influence and Group Processes - Mastery Worksheet

This worksheet challenges you with deeper, multi-concept long-answer questions from Social Influence and Group Processes to prepare for higher-weightage questions in Class 12.

Mastery

Questions

1

Compare and contrast formal and informal groups. Discuss how this distinction affects group dynamics and individual behavior.

Formal groups have explicit structures, defined roles, and specific objectives, whereas informal groups arise naturally without formal structures. This distinction influences dynamics; formal groups may prioritize task completion, while informal groups focus more on social relations. This affects individual behavior in terms of accountability and emotional support.

2

Evaluate the impact of proximity and similarity on group formation. Use examples to illustrate your points.

Proximity facilitates interaction among individuals, leading to familiarity and relationship-building, while similarity reinforces connections through shared interests or beliefs. Both factors are crucial in forming cohesive groups. For example, classmates often form study groups based on shared subjects and nearby locations.

3

Discuss Tuckman’s stages of group development. How can understanding these stages help improve group outcomes?

Tuckman's model includes five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Understanding these stages helps facilitators to better guide groups through potential conflicts (storming) and enforce norms (norming) leading to effective performance and cohesion.

4

Analyze the phenomenon of social loafing. What strategies can groups implement to minimize its effects?

Social loafing occurs when individuals exert less effort in a group due to reduced accountability. Strategies to minimize this include making individual contributions identifiable, fostering a sense of belonging, and increasing task importance. For instance, giving individual roles in a project can enhance accountability.

5

Examine group polarisation. How does this phenomenon influence decision-making in groups?

Group polarization results in groups making more extreme decisions than individuals might alone, influenced by discussions that reinforce shared beliefs. This can lead to riskier choices or more conservative stances depending on initial leanings, as seen in jury deliberations.

6

Critically evaluate groupthink. What are its causes, and how can it be prevented?

Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony in a group leads to poor decision-making. Causes include high cohesiveness, a lack of diverse viewpoints, and isolation from outside perspectives. Prevention strategies include encouraging open dialogue, seeking external opinions, and promoting critical thinking.

7

Differentiate between ingroups and outgroups. How does this categorization affect intergroup relations?

Ingroups refer to groups individuals identify with, while outgroups are those they view as different or outside their identifier. This categorization can foster bias, prejudice, or favoritism, impacting social interactions and potentially escalating conflicts, as evidenced in social identity theory.

8

What role does cohesiveness play in a group's success? Discuss both advantages and disadvantages.

Cohesiveness fosters strong bonds that enhance cooperation and productivity. However, extreme cohesiveness may lead to groupthink or resistance to change, thereby compromising critical evaluations of decisions. For example, teams might push for conformity over exploration of diverse viewpoints.

9

Explore how norms develop within groups. What factors influence adherence to these norms?

Norms develop through interactions and shared experiences among members. Influencers include leadership, group history, and peer expectations. Members tend to conform to these norms for acceptance, which can lead to positive behavior reinforcement or negative outcomes like ostracism.

10

Analyze the influence of roles on individual behavior within a group. Provide examples of both positive and negative effects.

Roles clarify expectations and responsibilities, guiding behavior, such as a leader motivating the team. However, strict roles can stifle individuality and creativity, leading to frustration or a lack of engagement. An example is a project where a dominant leader suppresses input from quieter members.

Social Influence and Group Processes - Challenge Worksheet

The final worksheet presents challenging long-answer questions that test your depth of understanding and exam-readiness for Social Influence and Group Processes in Class 12.

Challenge

Questions

1

Evaluate the implications of groupthink in team decision-making processes in organizations.

Discuss how groupthink can lead to poor decision quality and explore strategies to mitigate its effects, referencing real-world examples.

2

Analyze the Minimal Group Paradigm experiments by Tajfel. How do the findings relate to contemporary issues of social identity?

Examine how minimal criteria for group formation can result in bias, providing supporting examples from modern society.

3

Discuss social loafing. Provide a comparative analysis of its effects in academic group projects versus workplace teams.

Reflect on factors that foster or reduce social loafing in these environments, citing case studies or personal experiences.

4

Evaluate the stages of group development proposed by Tuckman and their applicability to educational settings.

Assess how these stages manifest during collaborative assignments, offering examples of challenges faced at each stage.

5

Critically assess the role of group polarisation in radicalization processes within social movements.

Discuss how group discussions can lead to extreme viewpoints and the potential societal implications of such shifts in perspective.

6

Can groups influence individual moral decision-making? Illustrate your answer with ethical dilemmas faced in peer groups.

Explore how peer pressure and collective norms shape moral behavior, including counterexamples where individual ethics prevail.

7

Examine the impact of communication styles on group cohesion and performance. How do different styles enhance or hinder group dynamics?

Identify types of communication and their effects on group interactions, referencing theories of communication and examples.

8

In what ways do status and roles within a group impact member contributions and overall group success?

Analyze how assigned versus assumed roles influence group functionality, including implications for leadership effectiveness.

9

Discuss the double-edged sword of group cohesiveness. When can it be beneficial, and when might it lead to dysfunctional outcomes?

Evaluate scenarios where high cohesiveness strengthens performance and cases where it leads to groupthink or insularity.

10

Evaluate strategies for fostering positive intergroup relations in communities divided by social, ethnic, or cultural lines.

Propose evidence-based interventions that promote integration and reduce intergroup biases, drawing on psychological theories.

Social Influence and Group Processes FAQs

Explore the chapter on social influence and group processes, focusing on group dynamics, structure, and how they affect individual behavior in psychology.

A group in psychology is defined as an organized system of two or more individuals who are interacting and interdependent, sharing common motives and roles, and adhering to norms that guide their behaviors.
Groups are characterized by mutual interdependence, defined roles, and shared expectations among members, while crowds lack these structures and connections, resulting in more spontaneous and less coordinated behaviors.
People join groups to meet various needs such as security, status, self-esteem, psychological satisfaction, goal achievement, and access to shared knowledge and information.
Social loafing refers to the phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working collectively in a group than they do when working alone, often because they feel less personally accountable for the outcome.
Group formation is influenced by factors such as proximity, where individuals frequently interact; similarity in interests and attitudes; and common goals that bring people together for collaboration.
Tuckman identified five stages in group development: forming, where members meet and establish initial connections; storming, which involves conflict and competition; norming, where norms are developed; performing, where the group works productively; and adjourning, the stage where groups disband after achieving their goals.
Group norms are essential as they set the standards for acceptable behaviors and attitudes within the group, guiding members on how to interact and function effectively together.
Cohesiveness refers to the mutual attraction among group members, promoting unity and support. High cohesiveness can enhance group performance but may also lead to groupthink, where members prioritize consensus over critical thinking.
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon wherein the desire for harmony in a group results in irrational decision-making. It leads to poor outcomes as members suppress dissenting viewpoints, often resulting in disastrous decisions.
Group polarization is demonstrated by the tendency of group discussions to strengthen initial opinions, as members are exposed to similar views and persuasive arguments, often leading to more extreme positions than those held initially.
Primary groups involve close, personal relationships and are fundamental in shaping an individual's values, while secondary groups are more formal and impersonal, typically centered around specific objectives.
Ingroups are groups to which individuals feel they belong and identify with, while outgroups are those they perceive as different and often hold negative views about. This distinction can significantly impact social dynamics and behavior.
Group membership can greatly influence an individual's identity by providing a sense of belonging, enhancing self-esteem, and shaping behaviors and attitudes based on the group's values and norms.
To mitigate social loafing, group efforts should be made identifiable, ensure accountability among members, enhance task significance, and strengthen group cohesion to promote individual commitment.
Formal groups have specific roles and structures defined by rules and regulations, while informal groups emerge naturally and are characterized by close relationships and flexible interactions among members.
Groups can significantly influence individual behavior through norms, expectations, and social dynamics that encourage conformity, enhance performance under certain conditions, or lead to social loafing.
The Minimal Group Paradigm is a social psychology experiment demonstrating how even arbitrary categorizations can lead to favoritism towards one’s ingroup and bias against outgroups, revealing the strength of group identity.
Effective teams have complementary skills among members, clear roles, shared goals, mutual accountability, and a high level of trust, facilitating collaboration and improved performance.
Status indicates the relative social position of members within a group, influencing interactions, roles, and the overall dynamics, where higher status individuals often have more influence and authority.
Individuals can influence group processes by presenting unique perspectives, challenging norms, and introducing critical thinking, thus fostering an environment that values diversity and constructive debate.
Groups fulfill essential psychological needs such as the desire for belongingness, social support, identity affirmation, and the pursuit of shared goals, contributing to personal and social well-being.
Techniques such as observational studies, surveys, group discussions, and experiments can be used to analyze group behavior, providing insights into dynamics, interactions, and individual contributions.
Understanding group dynamics is crucial as it fosters better teamwork, enables effective conflict resolution, enhances leadership skills, and promotes collaboration, ultimately leading to more effective and cohesive functioning.

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Social Influence and Group Processes Flashcards

Test your memory with quick recall prompts from Social Influence and Group Processes.

These flash cards cover important concepts from Social Influence and Group Processes in Psychology for Class 12 (Psychology).

1/19

Define a group in psychology.

1/19

A group is an organized system of two or more individuals who interact and are interdependent, sharing common motives, roles, and norms.

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2/19

What are the main characteristics of a group?

2/19

Groups involve mutual interdependence, defined roles, status differentials, and expectations from members.

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Active

3/19

How do groups differ from crowds?

Active

3/19

Groups have structure and belongingness, while crowds lack interdependence and defined roles.

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4/19

What are the major types of groups?

4/19

Groups can be classified as primary and secondary, formal and informal, and ingroup or outgroup.

5/19

What distinguishes primary groups from secondary groups?

5/19

Primary groups have close relationships and are often given, while secondary groups are chosen and more impersonal.

6/19

What are roles in a group?

6/19

Roles are socially defined expectations that dictate how individuals should behave in specific situations.

7/19

Define norms in the context of groups.

7/19

Norms are the shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a group.

8/19

What is group cohesiveness?

8/19

Cohesiveness refers to the mutual attraction and sense of togetherness among group members.

9/19

What is groupthink?

9/19

Groupthink is a phenomenon where the desire for consensus in a group leads to poor decision-making.

10/19

Define social loafing.

10/19

Social loafing is the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

11/19

What causes social loafing?

11/19

It occurs due to reduced accountability, lack of evaluation of individual contributions, and improper coordination.

12/19

How can social loafing be reduced?

12/19

By making individual contributions identifiable, increasing task importance, and enhancing group commitment.

13/19

What is group polarisation?

13/19

Group polarisation is the phenomenon where group discussion strengthens members' initial views, leading to more extreme positions.

14/19

What are Tuckman's stages of group formation?

14/19

The stages are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.

15/19

Why do people join groups?

15/19

People join groups for security, status, self-esteem, fulfilment of needs, goal achievement, and knowledge.

16/19

Differentiate between ingroup and outgroup.

16/19

Ingroup refers to the group to which an individual belongs, while outgroup refers to those outside of this group.

17/19

How do groups influence individual behavior?

17/19

Groups can enhance or diminish individual performance through social facilitation or social loafing.

18/19

Can you name an example of groupthink?

18/19

The Vietnam War decisions are a historical example of disastrous decisions made due to groupthink.

19/19

What are common misconceptions about groups?

19/19

A common mistake is assuming all group members will work equally hard, leading to social loafing.

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