Group Processes (Lecture 15&16)

Two or more people who interact and are interdependent such that their needs and goals cause them to influence each other.

To gain information, enhance self-esteem, define identity, be liked/accepted, and get things done by dividing labor.

The presence of others improves or facilitates task performance, especially on simple tasks or tasks we are skilled at.

The tendency for people to relax when they are in the presence of others and their individual performance cannot be evaluated.

Being watched by others increases arousal, which can enhance performance on easy tasks and impair performance on complex tasks.

The loosening of normal constraints on behavior when people can’t be identified, leading to atypical behavior.

Group size, physical anonymity, arousing activities, and diminished self-awareness all contribute to deindividuation.

Any aspect of group interaction that inhibits good problem solving, such as communication issues or failure to share unique information.

A system for remembering information in groups where individuals specialize in certain areas of knowledge and share relevant information within the group.

A kind of thinking in which maintaining group cohesiveness and solidarity is more important than considering the facts in a realistic manner.

The tendency for groups to make more extreme decisions than individuals, as group discussions strengthen pre-existing attitudes.

When a minority of group members influences the behavior or beliefs of the majority.

Conflicts in which the most beneficial action for an individual, if chosen by most people, will have harmful effects on everyone, such as in the Tragedy of the Commons.

A social dilemma in which two people must choose between two options without knowing what the other person will choose, often leading to conflict.

A strategy for encouraging cooperation in the Prisoner’s Dilemma by initially cooperating and then always responding as the opponent did in the previous round.

Solutions where parties make trade-offs on issues according to their different interests, often resulting in a mutually agreeable resolution.

A social dilemma where individuals, acting in their own self-interest, deplete a shared resource, harming the collective group in the long term.

People are more likely to cooperate when they trust the other person, especially if they expect future interaction.

Threats are not effective in reducing conflict and often lead to retaliation, as seen in trucking game studies.

Changing the norms about expected behavior can significantly increase cooperation, as demonstrated by changing the name of the game from “Wall Street Game” to “Community Game.”

When decisions are made by a group rather than an individual, often leading to better decisions when the group relies on the most knowledgeable members and seeks the best answer for everyone.

Mindguards are individuals in a group who protect the group from dissenting opinions or information that might disrupt group cohesion.

The effect that the words, actions, or mere presence of others have on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.