Lecture 7: Groups

Question 1

What is a group?

Answer 1

Need ti have some form of social structure - superior and subordinates.
Group exists when 2+ people define themselves as members - only need a common identity

Question 2

What was Tajfel et al’s study?

Answer 2

48 Bristol school boys. Categorised into minimal group. Tested whether people acted like a group. In group bias - favour own group.
Allocated credits between 2 groups - allocated more credits to their own group

Question 3

What is Social Facilitation?

Answer 3

Performance improves in the presence of others. People work faster in group than on own

Question 4

What is Social Loafing?

Answer 4

Performance declines in presence of a group. People put in less effort when in group than when on own

Question 5

What did Cottrell et al say?

Answer 5

Depends on whether our individual effort can be evaluated.
Can be evaluated - possible evaluation - social facilitation
Can’t be evaluated - not concerned - social loafing

Question 6

What is the Realistic Conflict Theory? (Sherif)

Answer 6

Conflict arises because 2+ groups are competing for scarce resources (money, prestige). Harmony can be achieved by working on superordinate goal.

Question 7

What was the Robbers Cave Experiment (Sherif)

Answer 7

Boys recruited to take part in summer camp. 2 groups - no knowledge of other group.

Question 8

What is Phase 1 of the RCE? (Sherif)

Answer 8

The Bonding Phase. Engaged in bonding activities (hiking, swimming). This created cohesion

Question 9

What is Phase 2 of the RCE? (Sherif)

Answer 9

Competition. They know of other group. They compete (tug of war, scavenger hunts). Increases conflict between groups

Question 10

What is Phase 3 of the RCE (Sherif)

Answer 10

Reducing Hostility. Need superordinate goals - goals that needed groups to work together (Solve problems together). Created harmonious intergroup relations.

Question 11

What are the criticisms of Sherif et al?

Answer 11

Are the findings reliable? Panthers vs Pythons. Showed harmony between each other. Camp counsellors failed to evoke hostility

Question 12

What was LeBon’s study? (Crowds)

Answer 12

Studied crowd behaviour in the French Rev. Crowds produce primitive behaviour - anonymous, lose personal responsibility, act without personal restraint

Question 13

What was Reicher’s study? (Crowds)

Answer 13

Crowd did not attack all buildings. Attacked national companies, they didn’t attack local facilities (shops and cafes). Appeared to follow some rules and social norms

Question 14

What was Postmes and Spears’ study? (Crowds)

Answer 14

Initially individuation occurs (Don’t view themselves as individuals). View as a member of a group - act in line with group norms.