What Groups Are
Groups are two or more people doing or being something together
- Groups feel similar to one another
- Presence of an outgroup
What groups Do
Social Groups
Cultural Groups
Groups, Roles, and Selves
Complementary roles produce better results than having each member do the same thing
- Human roles work in context of the larger system where most people do other things
Group Action
Theory of social facilitation
- Presence of others increases arousal
- Arousal increases dominant response
Presence of others can improve people’s performance, especially familiar, easy tasks
Social Loafing
People reduce effort when working in a group
When one’s cooperation is unique to the group, less likely to a loaf
Deindividuation and Mob Violence
Deindividuation can lead to antisocial behavior
Accountability is best predictor of aggression
How Groups Think
Brainstorming
- People enjoy the process and evaluate it favorably
- Output is lower than individuals working alone
Collective wisdom of group is better than individual experts
- People must act as independence members of a group and share their diverse information.
Groupthink
Tendency of group members to think alike
- Specifically group clings to shared but flawed view rather than being open to the truth
- Roots in desire to get along
Committees
Why aren’t committees effective?
- Group harmony stifles free exchange of information
- Focus on common knowledge rather than unique information people have
Group Polarization and Risky Shift
Risky shift
- Group is willing to take greater risks than individuals (on average)
Group polarization effect
- Movement toward either extreme (risk or caution) resulting from group discussion
