Group Processes Flashcards
Why do people self-handicap?
So that they don’t look like an idiot who tried and failed. Instead they don’t try at all to protect self esteem
What is the self-awareness theory of audience effects?
When you compare yourself with an ideal self to complete a task. If easy task- gap is small and can complete it. If difficult task- gap is large and people can self handicap performance
What’s the attention-overload model for audience effects?
The presence of an audience creates cognitive overload. When an easy task is presented there is less overload and can be tackled. When a difficult task more overload and can’t be done.
Define social loafing.
When people put less effort in when in group tasks and their performance can’t be identified.
What does the general trend of evidence for social loafing suggest?
That performance in group tasks is not proportionate to the number of people in the task
Why does social loafing occur? (3)
Lack of evaluation- if your performance can’t be individually identified then don’t give a shit
Output equity- think that everyone else isn’t trying so you don’t
Matching to standard- unaware of performance ability so don’t know what to match it to
What factors influence social loafing? (5)
1) culture- western cultures do it more
2) if it’s a meaningful task
3) how cohesive the group is
4) inter group competition
5) if you can be identified
What’s the bystander effect?
The more people that are around, the less like somebody is to help a person out.
What are the 3 explanations for the bystander effect?
1) diffusion of responsibility- people don’t help because they think someone else will
2) social influence- look at people’s reactions around you to get a judgement of the situation
3) audience inhibition- don’t want to look like an idiot in front of people
When is the bystander effect less strong?
1) if you know the bystanders
2) if you will get to talk to the bystanders later
3) if you know victim
4) if victim is a child
