Group Behaviour

Question 1

Definition of a group

Answer 1

Johnson & Johnson (1987) identified 7 major features
Collection of indivu=idual
A social unit of 2 or more ppl who consider themselves part of the group
A collection of indivs who are interdependent
Join together for a goal
Interactions are structured by roles and norms
Aim to satisfy a need together
Indivs influence each other

Question 2

Group Cohesion

Answer 2

Cohesiveness increases when ppl act + think in line with a collection of ppl
More cohesive groups = more influential + members are more committed
HOWEVER harder to maintain cohesion with larger groups

Question 3

Group entativity
(Lickel et al., 2000)

Answer 3

Entativity = level of distinctive and cohesive of a group
Lickel et al., (2000) - 4 groups w/ increasing entatitivity
- Intimate groups (friends/fam)
- Task groups (collegues/ committees)
- Social categories (Women/Muslim/British)
- Loose associations (Same street/Like rock music)

Question 4

Benefits of group memebrship

Answer 4

Sense of belonging, worth + value
Connect with other people
Increase confidence, physical and mental health
Connect w/ other ppl

Question 5

Costs of group membership

Answer 5

Seeing 1 group as valuable detracts from others
Out groups can be regarded with (-) feeligns
Croup competition = division, prejudice and sometimes violence

Question 6

Individual performance within group
Social facilitation vs Social inhibition vs evaluation apprehension vs Distraction conflict

Answer 6

SF - improvement of performance of tasks w/ p[pl present
SI - task is harder when ppl present
EA - Cotrel (1972) argued apprehension over + & - eval affect performance (social reward = improved performance, social punishment = decreased performance)
DC - Baron (1986) ppl present creates distraction, difficult tasks are harder with ppl, easy tasks attentional conflict increases drive = better at easy tasks (DRIVE THEORY)

Question 7

Team influence on performance

Answer 7

• Reduces effort by individuals
• Free-riding (Kerr, 1983)
• output equity = ppl reduce effort because expect others to
• Evaluation apprehension = anonymity get away with loafing
• matching to standard = expected standards are unclear

Question 8

Sherif 1966 Realistic group conflict theory

Answer 8

• Sharing goals and interdependence = cohesion and formation of group
• Mutually excusive goals with engage in interindividual competition causing group break up (or prevent formation)
• Intergroup harmony = interdependence-orientated goals

Question 9

Social identity theory (Tajfel &Turner, 1979,1986)

Answer 9

Formed following minimal group paradigm (catagorisation as “in” or “out’ group creates bias and favour towards own group)
3 elements of theory
- Categorisation: of self + others
- Identification: association with our “own group” boosts self esteem
- Comparison: Ingroup vs outgroup
* prefer to have + self-concept
* high status group = increases status of person
* Motivated to increase status of group to increase own

Grop membership encourages -
Ingroup favouritism/outgroup discrimination
Conformity to group norms
Stereotypes