7.4 - INFLUENCE OF GROUP ON INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOUR
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Understanding Group Dynamics
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Today, we are going to explore the influence of groups on individual behavior. First, who can tell me what a group is?
A group is two or more people interacting with each other, right?
Exactly! Now, groups have unique characteristics like mutual interdependence and defined roles. Why do you think these features are important?
Because it helps us understand how our actions can affect others in the group.
Correct! This interdependence means that what one member does can impact the whole group. Let’s remember this by using the acronym GROW: Groups Require Organized Work.
That’s a good way to remember it!
Exactly! Now let’s talk about why people join groups. What do you think motivates individuals?
To find a sense of belonging or security.
Spot on! Groups provide security, status, and even self-esteem. To reinforce this point, let’s think about how groups help us achieve goals we couldn’t accomplish alone.
Like team sports!
Exactly! Groups indeed help in achieving collective goals. In summary, groups provide support and foster individual growth during our time together.
Stages of Group Formation
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Now that we know what groups are, let’s delve into how they form. Can anyone share the stages of group formation?
Isn’t there a forming stage?
Yes! Tuckman's model mentions forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Can anyone explain one of these stages?
In the storming stage, people might face conflicts over roles or how to achieve goals.
Correct! Conflicts can arise as members try to establish their positions. Remember this with the acronym SAND: Storming Asserting Needs and Differences.
That’s helpful!
Great! After resolving these conflicts, groups move into norming where they develop shared norms. Why are these norms essential?
They guide behavior within the group!
Exactly! Norms help establish order and expectations. Overall, understanding these stages aids in appreciating group dynamics.
Social Loafing vs. Social Facilitation
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Next, let’s explore social loafing and social facilitation. Who can explain social loafing?
Isn’t that when people put in less effort in groups?
Correct! Social loafing happens when contributions aren’t individually assessed. We can remember this with the mnemonic LOAF: Less Overall Activity from Friends.
And social facilitation is when people perform better in front of others, right?
Exactly! Social facilitation can enhance performance, especially for well-practiced tasks. The key is individual effort is evaluated. Why do you think this happens?
Maybe it’s because of the desire to impress others?
Yes, exactly! Fear of negative evaluation can motivate individuals. To summarize, social situations influence our behavior significantly. Understanding these concepts helps recognize the power dynamics in groups.
Group Polarization and Groupthink
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Now, let’s discuss group polarization and groupthink. Who can define group polarization?
Isn’t that when a group makes a decision that's more extreme than the individual members originally thought?
Exactly! It happens after group discussions. Can anyone give an example?
Maybe like making a stricter rule after discussing a fair punishment?
Right! Extreme positions can result from this dynamic. To remember this, think ‘POLAR’ - Positions Often Lead to Altitudes Rising.
Nice way to remember it!
Great! Now, groupthink can also lead to poor decisions. What is it?
It’s when members avoid dissent for the sake of harmony!
Exactly! This can create dangerous outcomes. In summary, understanding these phenomena is crucial to navigating group dynamics effectively.
Implications of Group Influence
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Finally, let’s reflect on the implications of group influence. How might being part of a group change our perspectives?
It can help create a shared identity that shapes our behavior.
Correct! Our identity often aligns with group values. Why can this be beneficial?
It fosters support and a sense of belonging!
Absolutely! However, it can also lead to conformity pressure. We must be aware of how we may change when influenced by group dynamics. Let’s wrap up by summarizing what we covered today.
We discussed group dynamics, formation, polarization, and social loafing!
Exactly! Remember, groups profoundly impact individual behavior, so understanding these dynamics is essential.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
It discusses the nature of groups, the reasons individuals join them, and how group dynamics can lead to phenomena such as social loafing and group polarization. The section also highlights the historical context of these influences and their implications on individual actions.
Detailed
Influence of Group on Individual Behaviour
This section outlines the significant role groups play in shaping individual behavior. Group dynamics influence individuals through mechanisms such as social facilitation, where the presence of others can enhance performance, and social loafing, where individuals exert less effort in a group context compared to working alone. It describes how group membership provides various psychological benefits, including security, status, and self-esteem, and how these needs can lead to the formation and cohesion of groups.
Factors facilitating group formation include proximity, similarity, and common goals. The stages of group formation are characterized by Tuckman's model, which denotes stages such as forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Notably, phenomena such as groupthink can hinder decision-making in cohesive groups, while group polarization illustrates that discussions can lead groups to adopt more extreme views. Thus, the influence groups exert on individuals is both powerful and multifaceted, impacting personal choices, social norms, and collective behavior.
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Understanding Social Influence
Chapter 1 of 6
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Chapter Content
We have seen that groups are powerful as they are able to influence the behaviour of individuals. What is the nature of this influence? What impact does the presence of others have on our performance?
Detailed Explanation
This chunk introduces the idea that groups have a strong effect on individuals. It raises questions about the nature of this influence and how being around others can affect how we perform tasks. Specifically, it prepares us to learn about two main scenarios of influence: performing alone in the presence of others and performing as part of a larger group.
Examples & Analogies
Think about when you are studying alone versus when you are in a study group. In a study group, you might feel motivated to focus and perform better because others are around you, which illustrates how the presence of others can enhance your performance.
Social Facilitation
Chapter 2 of 6
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Chapter Content
This enhancement occurs when a person’s efforts are individually evaluated.
Detailed Explanation
Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon where individuals perform better on tasks when they are in the presence of others, provided that their performance is evaluated individually. This is because the presence of others can increase arousal and motivation. For tasks that someone is already good at, this arousal can lead to improved performance.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are running a race. When you're alone, you might not push yourself as hard, but when you are surrounded by other competitors, your adrenaline kicks in, urging you to run faster. This is due to social facilitation—you're motivated to perform better because others are watching or competing.
Social Loafing
Chapter 3 of 6
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Chapter Content
Individuals work less hard in a group than they do when performing alone. This points to a phenomenon referred to as ‘social loafing’.
Detailed Explanation
Social loafing describes a situation where individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone. This occurs because when tasks are pooled, individuals feel less responsible for the overall outcome and thus may reduce their effort, believing others will pick up the slack.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a group project at school. If there are four people in the group, each member might think, 'I don't need to do my best; others will cover for me.' This can lead to a situation where little gets accomplished because everyone is putting in less effort than they would have if they were working on the project alone.
Reasons for Social Loafing
Chapter 4 of 6
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Chapter Content
Group members feel less responsible for the overall task being performed and therefore exert less effort.
Detailed Explanation
Various reasons lead to social loafing, including decreased individual responsibility, lack of evaluation of individual contributions, and improper coordination among members. When individuals believe their input will not be singled out or recognized, their motivation to contribute fully diminishes.
Examples & Analogies
In a tug-of-war game, if everyone pulls with half their strength, they might not realize that a little extra effort per person could make a huge difference. If each player assumes others will pull harder, they may intentionally slack off, demonstrating social loafing in action.
Mitigating Social Loafing
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Chapter Content
Possible solutions include making the efforts of each person identifiable and increasing the pressure to work hard.
Detailed Explanation
To combat social loafing, strategies can be employed such as identifying individual contributions, creating accountability, and enhancing the importance of the task. When members know that their efforts will be individually recognized, they are more likely to contribute their fair share.
Examples & Analogies
In a classroom, if a teacher assigns each student a specific role on a team project and requires each to present part of the project to the class, students are more likely to exert effort. Knowing they will be evaluated individually motivates them to work harder, preventing social loafing.
Group Polarization
Chapter 6 of 6
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Chapter Content
Groups show another tendency referred to as 'group polarization'. It has been found that groups are more likely to take extreme decisions than individuals alone.
Detailed Explanation
Group polarization refers to the tendency of group members to adopt more extreme positions after discussing an issue together. When individuals with similar views come together, they reinforce each other's opinions and take a more extreme stance than they might have alone.
Examples & Analogies
In a debate, if you and your friends all support a certain political idea, discussing it together can strengthen your belief in that idea. You might start out with moderate views, but as you talk, you may all agree to take a much stronger stance, demonstrating how group discussions can amplify initial opinions.
Key Concepts
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Group: A collection of individuals who interact and are interdependent.
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Social Loafing: Reduced effort by individuals in a group task when contributions are pooled.
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Social Facilitation: Improved performance in the presence of others when individual efforts are evaluated.
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Groupthink: Consensus-seeking behavior within cohesive groups that leads to poor decision-making.
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Group Polarization: Tendency for groups to adopt more extreme positions after discussions.
Examples & Applications
In a project group, one student might contribute less because they believe others will pick up their slack, showcasing social loafing.
During a debate in class, students might express more radical opinions after discussing them together, exemplifying group polarization.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
In a group, do not tread so light, share your thoughts, and shine so bright.
Stories
In a small village, four friends formed a group to build a well. Each brought their unique strengths, creating a strong bond and achieving their goal together.
Memory Tools
GROW: Groups Require Organized Work, to remember the basics of group characteristics.
Acronyms
SAND
Storming Asserting Needs and Differences
to remember Tuckman's storming phase.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Group
An organized system of two or more individuals interacting and interdependent, sharing common motives and norms.
- Social Loafing
The phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.
- Social Facilitation
The tendency for people to perform differently when in the presence of others compared to when alone.
- Groupthink
A phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.
- Group Polarization
The tendency for group discussion to enhance the initial leanings of group members towards making more extreme decisions.
- Cohesiveness
The degree to which group members are attracted to each other and motivated to stay in the group.
- Roles
Socially defined expectations that individuals in a group are expected to fulfill.
- Norms
The shared guidelines or rules that define acceptable behavior for group members.
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