Module 4 - Group Decisions & Performance

Question 1

Group (3)

Answer 1

Individuals who are interdependent
Mutual reliance
Share explicit and implicit goal of harmony and cohesion

Question 2

Define interdependence

Answer 2

Exchange or mutual reliance in a social setting

Question 3

What are the 2 phenomena that occur when groups make decision by consensus with the implicit goal of Harmony & Cohesion?

Answer 3

Groupthink
Group polarization
Both work together to produce worse group decisions

Question 4

Describe Groupthink

Answer 4

Reduced expression of disagreement and critical scrutiny to prevent risking group cohesion and harmony

Question 5

2 social processes in Groupthink

Answer 5

False consensus
Pluralistic Ignorance

Question 6

False consensus
(Group Think)

Answer 6

Lack of expression of disagreement is taken as silent agreement

Question 7

Pluralistic Ignorance
(Group Think)

Answer 7

Group pretends to not notice a problem that everyone notices

Question 8

Describe Group Polarization

Answer 8

Magnification of average views to extreme views in a group setting

Question 9

2 social processes of Group Polarization

Answer 9

Normalisation
Value Affirmation

Question 10

Normalisation
(Group Polarisation)

Answer 10

Exposure to shared/similar positions -> unaware of alternatives

Question 11

Value Affirmation
(Group Polarisation)

Answer 11

Expressing extreme attitudes to signal loyalty to shared views

Question 12

Define Social Facilitation

Answer 12

performance is better in the presence of others

Question 13

Define Social Interference

Answer 13

performance is worse in the presence of others

Question 14

What are the 2 factors of Social Interference and Social facilitation?

Answer 14

Co-Action Effects

Audience Effects

Question 15

Co-Action Effects
(Social Interference / Facilitation)

Answer 15

Performance is affected by others doing the same thing

Question 16

Audience Effects
(Social Interference / Facilitation)

Answer 16

Performance is affected by others watching your behaviour

Question 17

What activities have social facilitation?

Answer 17

Works for familiar and easy tasks
Being observed by people can increase physical arousal which does not affect performing physical tasks

Question 18

What activities have social interference?

Answer 18

Occurs with difficult, unfamiliar tasks
Being observed by people increase arousal which affect concentration needed to perform difficult tasks

Question 19

Define Social Loafing

Answer 19

Putting less effort in group tasks than individual tasks
Because of diffusion of responsibility in large group settings
Free ride on other people’s efforts

Question 20

Defines ‘tragedy of the commons’ dynamic

Answer 20

Suspected lack of effort from group members justifies further withdrawal of effort from each individual, leading to lower group effort

Question 21

What is the cause of social loafing?

Answer 21

Diffusion of responsibility

Question 22

How do you undermine social loafing?

Answer 22

Increase an individual’s responsibility
Delegation of specific roles for accountability
Leadership

Question 23

Social Influence:

Answer 23

when our beliefs & behaviours change from exposure to other people’s beliefs and behaviours

Question 24

3 main components to Social influence:

Answer 24

Social Norms

Conformity

Obedience

Question 25

Social Norms

Answer 25

Unspoken, expected standards of behaviour
Not just normal behaviours, but what is considered right behaviours

Question 26

normative standard

Answer 26

Behaviours that are considered normal and correct in a social situation

Question 27

Conformity

Answer 27

Tendency to align behaviour to the norms of others

Question 28

Informational Influence

Answer 28

Norm must exist for good reason
Follow along group consensus cause wish to do the correct thing

Question 29

Normative Influence

Answer 29

Others will disapprove if we violate the social norm
Fear of scrutiny

Question 30

Factors affecting Conformity

Answer 30

Group size (larger groups -> more conformity)
Dissention (if one member objects -> less conformity)
Personality (low self esteem -> more conformity
Culture (Collectivist cultures -> more conformity)
Gender (no proof)
Age (younger -> more conformity)

Question 31

Define Obedience

Answer 31

Suspending own judgement to follow instruction from authority
In extreme examples, people may act against their own conscience or best interests to comply with the authority figure

Question 32

Factors affecting obedience (2)

Answer 32

Proximity
Legitimacy of authority