Groups and group relations: cooperation and conflict2 Flashcards
(2 cards)
What is deindividuation and how does it influence group behavior?
Deindividuation refers to the loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in group settings, often resulting in impulsive or antisocial behavior. Factors like anonymity, large crowds, or wearing uniforms can trigger this state.** The Stanford Prison Experiment (Zimbardo, 1971)** illustrated this: participants acting as guards became abusive under the influence of role-based anonymity. This concept explains how ordinary people can act uncharacteristically in group settings like riots or mobs.
How do social facilitation and social loafing differ in group performance?
Social facilitation is when people perform better on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.
Social loafing is when individuals exert** less effort in group tasks where their individual contributions are not identifiable.**
Example: Running faster in a race (facilitation) vs. putting less effort into a group presentation (loafing). These concepts show how group presence can either enhance or reduce performance, depending on the task and visibility of contribution.
