Influence of Others

Question 1

Norman Triplett

Answer 1

• First formal study of social psychology in 1898
• Hypothesized that the mere presence of others was an important variable in the performance of the actor
• ex. cyclists perform better when racing against others

Question 2

Co-Actor

Answer 2

Another individual performing the same task

Question 3

Audience

Answer 3

A group of people watching an individual perform a task

Question 4

Facilitation

Answer 4

The increased performance that occurs in the presence of co-actors or an audience

Question 5

Zajonc’s Resolution

Answer 5

• Presence of others increases arousal
• heightened arousal either benefits or hinders
• tasks you are expert in = performance enhanced
• tasks you are not expert in = hindered performance

Question 6

Social Learning Theory

Answer 6

• We learn appropriate behaviours by modelling and imitating the behaviours of others
• Cognitive skill such as language is acquired in children

Question 7

Albert Bandura

Answer 7

• Behaviours we learn from others do not always require explicit reinforcement (unlike basic conditioning)
• Bobo doll experiment

Question 8

Autokinetic Effect

Answer 8

• Muzafer Sherif
• Perceptual illusion where one had to track where a dot moved
• Trick: dot did not actually move
• If in a group over several days: results converged with what the other group members thought

Question 9

Norm Formation

Answer 9

Leads to convergence in behaviour, even in the presence of outliers

Question 10

Asch’s Stimuli

Answer 10

• One sample line and three comparison lines - identify which comparison lines matches the standard
• only one of the participants is actual test subject
• 75% conformed to an incorrect answer on at least one trial

Question 11

Normative Function

Answer 11

The role of others in setting standards for out conduct based on a fear of rejection

Question 12

Comparative Function

Answer 12

• Role of others in providing information about an - ambiguous situation
• Subjects doubt their own perceptions when it conflicts with that of others

Question 13

The Risky Shift

Answer 13

• James Stoner
• Group decisions were typically riskier than the mean of the prior individual decisions
• Not all groups resulted in riskier decisions

Question 14

Group Polarization

Answer 14

Group decision making strengthens the original inclinations of the individual group members

Question 15

Groupthink

Answer 15

• Irving Janis
• group decision making environment that occurs when group cohesiveness becomes so strong it overrides realistic appraisals of reality and alternative opinions
• they to critically test, analyze and evaluate ideas of the group

Question 16

The Bystander Effect

Answer 16

• Refers to the fact that the greater number of bystanders in an emergency, the less likely any one bystander will help
• Kitty Genovese

Question 17

Collective Ignorance

Answer 17

• When each individual in a group see nobody responding in a given situation, they conclude that the situation is not an emergency

Question 18

Diffusion of Responsibility

Answer 18

• In deciding whether we have to act, we determine that someone else in the group if more qualified

Question 19

Social Loafing

Answer 19

• Individuals seem to be less motivated when working in a group than when working alone

Question 20

Foot in the Door Effect

Answer 20

• Gradually escalating demands will increase agreement

Question 21

Low-ball Technique

Answer 21

• Revealing hidden additional costs associated with an agreement after someone has already agreed