Group Influence Social Facilitation Most likely response is

Group Influence

Social Facilitation • Most likely response is strengthened in the presence of others - Crowds activate our sympathetic nervous system. • Improved performance of tasks in the presence of others – Occurs with simple or well learned tasks • Social Inhibition - Tasks that are difficult or not yet learned then the presence of other people is likely to hinder performance – Deals with levels of arousal (Yerkes-Dodson Law)

Social Loafing • Tendency to expend less effort on a task when it is a group effort – The larger the group, the lower each individual’s output – People may be less accountable in a group, or they may think their efforts aren’t needed. • Reduced when… – Group is composed of people we know – We are members of a highly valued group – Task is meaningful • Women are generally less likely to engage in social loafing than are men. • Social Striving - Opposite occurs in many collectivistic cultures, people work harder in a group setting

Deindividuation • The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity • People lose their sense of responsibility when in a group.

Group Polarization • When group decisions end up as extreme versions of what each individual’s preferences are. – Get a bunch of violent people together and they will come up with more aggressive plans than if they were acting alone. • Originally called risky shift - Group takes more chances when making a decision than individuals

Social Pressure in Group Decisions • Group polarization – When people find themselves in groups of like-minded types, they are likely to move to extremes – Creates an Us vs. Them mentality • Why does this occur? – informational and normative influences Before group discussion Group 1 Against Group 2 For Strength of opinion (a) After group discussion Group 1 Against Group 2 For Strength of opinion (b)

Group Polarization Separation + Conversation = Polarization

Groupthink • When the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of the alternatives – Group members try to maintain harmony and unanimity in group – Can lead to worse decisions than individuals when people don’t raise concerns or alternatives so they can instead agree with the group. – Prevented when a leader welcomes various opinions & critiques & assigns people to identify possible problems.

Our Power as Individuals

Minority Influence • One or Two people can sway a majority IF… – Hold firm to your position and don’t waffle – Self-confidence makes others consider why you are staying with your position & they may develop sympathy for your position & rethink their view.

Cultural Influences on Behavior • Cultural NORMS – Rules for accepted & expected behavior in society • Can change with time. Would this be accepted for Graduation?