Group Processes

Question 1

Johnson & Johnson (1987) definition of groups

Answer 1

A group is two or more individuals in face-to-face interaction, each aware of his or her membership in the group, each aware of others who belong to the group, and each aware of their positive interdependences as they strive to achieve mutual goals

Question 2

Intra-group

Answer 2

Within the group

Question 3

Inter-group

Answer 3

Between groups

Question 4

In-group

Answer 4

Group to which I belong

Question 5

Out-group

Answer 5

Group to which I do not belong

Question 6

What are two functions of groups?

Answer 6

Accomplish instrumental tasks and to satisfy socioemotional needs

Question 7

What are the two main properties of a group?

Answer 7

Entitativity and cohesivness

Question 8

Entitativity

Answer 8

Being a distinct and clearly bounded unit. There is categorical membership - individuals are either inside or outside the group

Question 9

Cohesiveness

Answer 9

Psychological sense of solidarity. Often operationalised as attraction to/liking of other group members

Question 10

Tuckman (1965) 5 stages in development of groups

Answer 10

1. Forming (orientation + familiarisation)
2. Storming (work through conflict about group’s goals and purposes)
3. Norming (consensus, cohesion, common purpose)
4. Performing (group works smoothly as a unit)
5. Adjourning (group dissolves due to task completion/individual loss of interest

Question 11

What is the social facilitation effect restricted to?

Answer 11

May be restricted to task that are easy or familiar. If the task is new or difficult, the opposite effect may occur - social inhibition

Question 12

What are two explanations for social facilitation?

Answer 12

1. Drive theory (Zajonc, 1965)
2. Distraction-conflict theory (Baron, 1986)

Question 13

Drive theory (Zajonc, 1965)

Answer 13

We experience arousal in the presence of other people because people are unpredictable so we need to be ready to act. This arousal exacerbates skills and deficiencies

Question 14

Distraction-conflict theory (Baron, 1986)

Answer 14

Other people distract our attention from the task. Narrow attentional focus improves well-learned tasks and impairs badly-learned tasks

Question 15

Maximilien Ringelmann effect (1913)

Answer 15

Individual effort in a task decreases as group size increases

Question 16

Why is social loafing important?

Answer 16

Social loafing is important for understanding collective tasks and public goods

Question 17

What are some factors that decrease the risk of social loafing?

Answer 17

1. Importance of outcome
2. Expectations of what others will do
3. Identification with a meaningful group