Group Decision-Making and Group Dynamics (7B) - Psych & Soc

Which influence best explains conforming in an ambiguous situation: normative or informational?

Informational social influence. Uncertainty leads people to look to others for guidance.
What does social facilitation predict for simple or well-learned tasks?

Performance improves in the presence of others. Arousal from others' presence enhances dominant responses on easy tasks.
Identify the concept: People in a crowd vandalize while feeling anonymous.

Deindividuation. Loss of individual identity in crowds enables antisocial acts.
What is groupthink in group decision-making?

Pressure for consensus that suppresses dissent and critical thinking. Desire for harmony overrides realistic evaluation of alternatives.
What is the bystander effect in emergencies?

Lower likelihood of helping when more bystanders are present. As bystander numbers increase, individuals feel less personal obligation to act, assuming others will respond instead.
What is the fundamental attribution error in judging others in groups?

Overattribute others' behavior to disposition over situation. We underestimate situational factors when judging others.
What is the difference between a role and a status in groups?

Role: expected behavior; Status: relative social position. Roles are behaviors; status is hierarchical rank.
What is the choice shift effect in group decisions?

Group decisions shift from the average of individual initial positions. Groups don't simply average opinions but shift toward extremes.
What is a reference group, and what does it primarily shape?

Group used for comparison; shapes norms, identity, and behavior. Provides standards for self-evaluation and belonging.
Identify the concept: a committee suppresses dissent to preserve unanimity and cohesion.

Groupthink. Pressure for consensus prevents critical evaluation of decisions.
What is social facilitation in group performance?

Others' presence improves performance on well-learned simple tasks. Arousal from others enhances dominant responses, aiding familiar tasks.
What is the bystander effect in emergencies involving multiple witnesses?

Lower likelihood of helping as the number of bystanders increases. Responsibility diffuses among observers, reducing individual action.
What is the minimal group paradigm used to demonstrate?

Ingroup bias can occur from arbitrary group assignments. Shows bias emerges even without real group differences or conflict.
What is the mere exposure effect and how can it shape group preferences?

Repeated exposure increases liking, biasing group attitudes toward familiarity. Familiarity breeds preference through comfort and fluency.
Identify the concept: People work less hard on a team task than alone.

Social loafing. Reduced effort occurs when individual output isn't identifiable.
What does social facilitation predict for complex or novel tasks?

Performance worsens in the presence of others. Arousal from others' presence impairs performance on difficult tasks.
What is the self-serving bias in evaluating group outcomes?

Success attributed to self; failure attributed to external factors. Protects self-esteem by attributing outcomes selectively.
What is deindividuation in large groups?

Loss of self-awareness leading to disinhibited behavior. Anonymity in crowds reduces self-regulation and increases impulsivity.
What is in-group favoritism in social identity theory?

Preferential attitudes and behaviors toward one's in-group. People favor their own group to maintain positive social identity.
Which concept explains why presence of others increases dominant responses?

Zajonc's theory of social facilitation. Arousal strengthens habitual responses, improving or impairing performance.
What is deindividuation in crowds or anonymous groups?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint due to anonymity. Group immersion weakens personal identity and inhibitions.
What is groupthink as a group decision-making phenomenon?

Conformity that prioritizes consensus over critical evaluation. It arises in cohesive groups under pressure, suppressing dissent and critical thinking to preserve harmony and apparent consensus.
Identify the concept: a person helps less when others are present because responsibility is shared.

Diffusion of responsibility. Individual responsibility dilutes when others could also act.
What is obedience in social influence?

Following direct commands from an authority figure. Compliance specifically to authority, not peers.
Identify the group dynamic: People contribute less on a group project than alone.

Social loafing. Individual effort decreases when pooled with others.
Identify the term: Effort decreases as group size increases on simple tasks.

Social loafing. Reduced accountability leads to decreased individual effort.
What is the social facilitation effect?

Others' presence improves easy tasks and impairs difficult tasks. Arousal from others enhances well-learned responses, hinders new ones.
What is the fundamental attribution error in evaluating others in groups?

Overattributing others' behavior to disposition over situation. We underestimate situational factors when judging others' actions.
Identify the type of influence: You adopt the group's answer because you think it is correct.

Informational social influence. Accepting group's view as accurate information source.
Identify the concept: A group suppresses dissent to maintain unanimity.

Groupthink. Pressure for consensus prevents critical evaluation.
Which concept best fits: After discussion, members adopt a more extreme position?

Group polarization. Group interaction intensifies pre-existing attitudes.
Identify the concept: Helping is less likely when many witnesses are present.

Bystander effect. Responsibility diffuses, reducing individual intervention.
Which intervention reduces groupthink by separating evaluation from initial idea generation?

Use independent subgroups, then reconvene to compare. Dividing into subgroups allows diverse ideas to emerge independently, reducing conformity when groups later integrate perspectives.
What is social loafing in group tasks?

Reduced individual effort when working collectively. Individual contributions become less identifiable in groups.
What is social loafing in group performance?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. Individual contributions become less identifiable in groups.
What is an in-group bias that can follow minimal group assignment?

Ingroup favoritism even with arbitrary, minimal group distinctions. Even random grouping triggers preference for one's assigned group.
What is an out-group in social psychology?

A group perceived as not belonging to one's in-group. Defined by contrast with one's own group membership.
What is groupthink in highly cohesive decision-making groups?

Consensus seeking that suppresses critical evaluation. Desire for harmony overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives.
What is social inhibition as it relates to the presence of others?

Others' presence impairs performance on novel or complex tasks. Arousal from others disrupts performance when learning new skills.
Identify the concept: In a crowd, a person feels anonymous and acts impulsively.

Deindividuation. Loss of individual identity enables unrestrained behavior.
Identify the concept: Group members work less hard because their individual effort is not tracked.

Social loafing. Without individual accountability, members reduce effort, relying on others to compensate in collective tasks.
Identify the group process: a team avoids dissent to preserve unanimity despite flaws.

Groupthink. Consensus pressure suppresses critical thinking.
Which situational factor most increases deindividuation during group behavior?

Anonymity (often with high arousal). Lack of identifiability lowers self-awareness and accountability, amplifying impulsive actions especially in stimulating environments.
What is the risky shift phenomenon in group decision-making?

Groups tend to choose riskier options than individuals choose alone. Part of group polarization where initial risk preferences intensify.
What is self-serving bias in explaining outcomes?

Success to self; failure to external factors. Protects self-esteem by attributing differently based on outcome.
What is the self-serving bias in group outcomes?

Attributing success to self and failure to external factors. Protects self-esteem by making favorable attributions.
What is the common knowledge effect in group discussions?

Groups over-discuss shared info and under-discuss unique info. Members focus on validating shared knowledge rather than pooling unique info.
What is the mere exposure effect in group attitudes?

Repeated exposure increases liking. Familiarity breeds preference through reduced uncertainty.
What is deindividuation and what typically increases it in groups?

Loss of self-awareness; increased by anonymity and arousal. Group immersion reduces self-monitoring and increases impulsive behavior.
What is the Ringelmann effect in group tasks?

Individual productivity decreases as group size increases. Coordination losses and motivation deficits compound with size.
Identify the group phenomenon: A unanimous committee ignores warning signs to preserve harmony.

Groupthink. Prioritizing consensus over critical analysis exemplifies this phenomenon.
What is the fundamental attribution error in judging others in groups?

Overattributing behavior to disposition and underweighting situation. Neglects situational factors when explaining others' actions.
What is social loafing in group task performance?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. When efforts are pooled anonymously, individuals perceive less personal accountability, leading to decreased motivation and output.
What is social loafing during group tasks?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. People exert less effort when their contribution isn't identifiable.
What is social loafing when people work in groups?

Reduced individual effort when contributions are not identifiable. People exert less effort when their individual output can't be evaluated.
Identify the influence type: conforming to avoid rejection, not because you agree.

Normative social influence. Social pressure overrides personal beliefs.
What is the out-group homogeneity effect?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar to each other. Less exposure to out-group variety creates perception of sameness.
Identify the term: In a team project, each member works less hard because effort is pooled.

Social loafing. Diffusion of responsibility reduces individual motivation.
What is compliance as distinct from conformity?

Publicly agreeing with a request without necessarily internal belief change. Surface-level agreement without genuine attitude change.
Which option best explains reduced helping when others are present: diffusion of responsibility or social facilitation?

Diffusion of responsibility. Presence of others reduces personal obligation to help.
Identify the mechanism: nobody calls $911$ because each assumes someone else will.

Diffusion of responsibility. Each person thinks others will take responsibility.
What is social loafing in a group task?

Reduced individual effort when contributions are pooled in a group. Individual contributions become unidentifiable, reducing motivation.
What is the fundamental attribution error in social judgment?

Overattribute others' behavior to disposition over situation. Underestimates situational factors in explaining behavior.
What is the risky shift phenomenon?

Groups make riskier decisions than individuals would alone. Diffusion of responsibility reduces individual caution.
What is the self-serving bias in group-related outcomes?

Attributing success internally and failure externally. Protects self-esteem by biasing causal explanations.
What is deindividuation in group settings?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint, increasing impulsive behavior. Group immersion weakens normal inhibitions against deviant behavior.
What is the difference between risky shift and group polarization?

Risky shift is risk-specific; polarization is any attitude extremity shift. Polarization includes all extremes; risky shift only toward risk.
What is group polarization in group decision-making outcomes?

Shift toward more extreme attitudes after group discussion. Discussion amplifies initial leanings through repeated exposure and arguments.
What is the risky shift phenomenon?

Groups make riskier decisions than individuals would alone. Diffusion of responsibility reduces individual caution.
What is social inhibition in the context of social facilitation effects?

Worsened performance on complex or novel tasks. Arousal impairs performance when tasks require new learning.
What is groupthink in group decision-making?

Pressure for consensus that suppresses dissent and critical evaluation. Desire for harmony overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives.
Identify the best method to reduce social loafing in teams.

Increase individual accountability (identify and evaluate each member). Making individual contributions visible prevents hiding in the group.
What is deindividuation in a crowd or anonymous group setting?

Loss of self-awareness leading to disinhibited, norm-driven behavior. Anonymity reduces self-regulation and increases impulsive actions.
Identify the effect: a crowd makes a skilled performer do better on a simple routine.

Social facilitation. Audience arousal improves well-learned performance.
Which option best reduces social loafing: individual accountability or anonymity?

Individual accountability. Making contributions identifiable prevents free-riding.
Identify the group phenomenon: a person works less hard on a team project than when graded individually.

Social loafing. Individual accountability increases effort; anonymity decreases it.
What is an outgroup in intergroup relations?

A group perceived as different from and separate from the ingroup. Often subject to stereotyping and discrimination by ingroup.
What is the diffusion of responsibility effect in groups?

Reduced personal accountability when others are present. Responsibility spreads across group members, reducing individual action.
What is social loafing in group performance?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. Individuals exert less effort due to decreased accountability in groups.
What is evaluation apprehension as it relates to group performance?

Performance changes due to concern about being judged by others. Fear of negative evaluation affects task performance in social settings.
Identify the phenomenon: a team ignores warnings to preserve unanimity and morale.

Groupthink. Cohesion and isolation create pressure for consensus over accuracy.
What is an ingroup in social identity theory?

The group with which an individual identifies and feels membership. Forms part of one's social identity and self-concept.
What is social loafing in group work settings?

Reduced individual effort when contributions are not identifiable. People exert less effort when their individual output can't be evaluated.
What is the difference between normative and informational social influence?

Normative: fit in; Informational: accept others as accurate. Normative seeks approval; informational assumes others know better.
What is informational social influence in group behavior?

Conformity because others are viewed as a source of correct info. People assume the majority knows something they don't.
What is pluralistic ignorance in group situations?

Privately rejecting a norm while assuming others accept it. Everyone misperceives group consensus due to public conformity.
What is social facilitation when others are present?

Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks. Arousal from others enhances dominant responses.
What is a reference group?

Group used as a standard for self-evaluation and behavior. People compare themselves to this group to guide their actions.
What is the choice shift phenomenon in group decision-making?

Group decision shifts from the pre-discussion average of members. Group dynamics move decisions away from individual starting positions.
What is obedience in social influence?

Following direct commands from an authority figure. Authority legitimacy compels action despite personal beliefs.
What is self-serving bias in explaining outcomes?

Success to internal causes; failure to external causes. Protects self-esteem by attributing differently.
What is the informational social influence mechanism of conformity?

Conform because others are viewed as a source of information. We assume the group knows better in ambiguous situations.
What is the difference between risky shift and group polarization?

Risky shift is risk-specific; polarization is any attitude extreme. Risky shift is one type of polarization toward risk-taking.
Which intervention best reduces groupthink by formalizing dissent during deliberation?

Assign a devil's advocate. This role encourages critical scrutiny by deliberately challenging assumptions, countering pressures toward premature consensus.
What is the diffusion of responsibility in group settings?

Reduced personal accountability when others are present. Individual responsibility dilutes across group members.
What is the difference between an ingroup and an outgroup?

Ingroup: "us" identity; outgroup: "them" identity. Social categorization creates boundaries between groups.
Identify the term: After discussion, a jury becomes more extreme in its initial leanings.

Group polarization. Discussion reinforces and intensifies pre-existing attitudes.
What is a group status hierarchy?

Rank ordering of members by prestige, power, or influence. Members are differentiated by their relative social standing.
What is social loafing in group performance settings?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. Individuals exert less effort when their contribution is not identifiable.
What is normative social influence in a group?

Conforming to gain approval or avoid disapproval. Social pressure motivates compliance to maintain group acceptance.
What is groupthink in the context of group decision-making?

Consensus-seeking that suppresses dissent and impairs decision quality. Desire for harmony overrides critical thinking and realistic evaluation.
What is diffusion of responsibility in bystander or group contexts?

Reduced personal responsibility as group size increases. More people present means less individual obligation to act.
What is social loafing during group tasks?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. Individual contributions decrease as group size increases.
What is the Yerkes–Dodson law regarding arousal and performance?

Performance peaks at moderate arousal; too low or high impairs it. Inverted U-curve shows optimal performance at intermediate arousal levels.
What is the outgroup homogeneity effect?

Perceiving outgroup members as more similar than ingroup members. Less contact with outgroups leads to stereotyping.
What is in-group favoritism in intergroup relations?

Preferential treatment and positive bias toward the ingroup. Enhances self-esteem through positive group identity.
Identify the concept: a group discussion makes members' initial views more extreme.

Group polarization. Initial attitudes intensify through repeated exposure and confirmation.
Identify the group phenomenon: a unanimous committee ignores clear risks to maintain harmony.

Groupthink. Consensus-seeking suppresses critical evaluation of risks.
What is deindividuation in group behavior?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint due to anonymity in a group. Group anonymity reduces self-monitoring and increases impulsive behavior.
Identify the key antecedent: What group characteristic strongly increases groupthink risk?

High group cohesiveness. Strong bonds among members foster loyalty, increasing pressure to conform and reducing openness to alternative viewpoints.
What is deindividuation in groups?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint due to anonymity in a group. Anonymity reduces personal accountability, enabling antisocial behavior.
What is social loafing in group task performance?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group versus alone. Individual contributions become less identifiable in larger groups.
What groupthink symptom involves stereotyping outsiders?

Viewing out-groups as incompetent, biased, or adversarial. This bias dismisses external critiques, protecting the group's decisions from valid challenges and alternative perspectives.
Identify the group phenomenon: people in a crowd do not help because each assumes someone else will.

Diffusion of responsibility. Each person's responsibility dilutes in larger groups.
What is a superordinate goal in reducing intergroup conflict?

Shared goal requiring cooperation between groups to achieve. Creates interdependence that reduces us-vs-them thinking.
Identify the process: In a crowd, a person feels anonymous and acts impulsively.

Deindividuation. Loss of individual identity leads to disinhibited behavior.
What is groupthink in group decision-making?

Consensus-seeking that suppresses dissent and critical evaluation. Prioritizes harmony over realistic appraisal of alternatives.
What is diffusion of responsibility as used to explain the bystander effect?

Perceived responsibility is spread across group members. In groups, individuals assume others share the burden of action, reducing personal initiative to intervene in emergencies.
What is the self-serving bias in group outcomes?

Attributing successes internally and failures externally. Protects self-esteem by taking credit and deflecting blame.
What is deindividuation in group contexts?

Loss of self-awareness and reduced restraint in groups. Anonymity and arousal override normal inhibitions.
Identify the concept: In a group project, one member exerts less effort.

Social loafing. Reduced accountability in groups decreases individual effort.
Identify the concept: In an emergency, each witness assumes someone else will act.

Diffusion of responsibility. Shared responsibility reduces individual action likelihood.
Identify the phenomenon: a committee makes a riskier choice than members preferred alone.

Group polarization. Groups amplify initial tendencies toward risk or caution.
Identify the concept: A person does not help because they assume someone else will intervene.

Diffusion of responsibility. In groups, shared accountability dilutes personal duty, leading individuals to defer action to others present.
Which condition most strongly promotes deindividuation: anonymity, accountability, or self-focus?

Anonymity. Being unidentifiable reduces self-awareness and accountability.
What is diffusion of responsibility in groups?

Perceived personal responsibility decreases as group size increases. More people means less individual accountability.
Identify the concept: In a masked crowd, individuals act aggressively beyond their usual restraints.

Deindividuation. Anonymity in crowds diminishes self-regulation, enabling behaviors individuals would typically inhibit due to social norms.
What is deindividuation in group settings?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint in a crowd. In large groups, diminished personal identity reduces internal constraints, facilitating impulsive or antisocial behaviors.
What is the fundamental attribution error in group contexts?

Overattribute others' behavior to traits and underweight situations. Ignores how group dynamics and roles shape individual behavior.
What is the primary mechanism behind social facilitation (Zajonc)?

Increased arousal strengthens dominant responses. Presence of others creates arousal that amplifies habitual responses.
What is social facilitation, and how does it affect performance?

Others present improves easy tasks and impairs difficult tasks. Arousal from audience enhances dominant responses.
Identify the concept: A committee ignores warnings to preserve unanimity.

Groupthink. Pressure for consensus prevents critical evaluation of decisions.
According to social facilitation, how does an audience affect performance on difficult tasks?

It impairs performance on complex or novel tasks. Arousal from observers heightens anxiety, interfering with concentration and learning required for unfamiliar or intricate activities.
What is the fundamental attribution error as applied to outgroups?

Overattributing outgroup behavior to disposition over situation. We underestimate situational factors for outgroup members.
What is pluralistic ignorance in group settings?

Privately rejecting a norm but assuming others accept it. Misperceiving group consensus leads to false conformity.
What is diffusion of responsibility in a group context?

Perceived personal responsibility decreases as group size increases. More people present means each feels less obligated to act.
What is ingroup favoritism?

Preferential treatment of ingroup members over outgroup members. People favor their own group to enhance self-esteem.
What is the availability heuristic and how can it bias group decisions?

Judging likelihood by ease of recall, overweighting vivid recent examples. Memorable events seem more probable than they actually are.
What is an in-group in social psychology?

A group with which a person identifies and feels membership. Shared identity creates psychological belonging and loyalty.
Identify the group dynamic: A team ignores warnings to keep unanimous agreement.

Groupthink. Pressure for consensus overrides critical thinking.
What is social facilitation as it relates to performance in the presence of others?

Presence of others improves dominant responses (easy tasks). Arousal enhances well-learned behaviors but impairs complex tasks.
What is the definition of a social norm in group dynamics?

Shared, informal rule that guides behavior in a group. Unwritten expectations that regulate group member behavior.
What is the fundamental attribution error in judging group members?

Overattributing others' behavior to traits and underattributing to situation. We underestimate situational factors when judging others.
What is the groupthink symptom called self-censorship?

Withholding doubts or counterarguments to avoid conflict. Individuals suppress personal concerns to maintain group harmony, contributing to incomplete evaluation of options.
Identify the process: people work less hard on a group project than alone.

Social loafing. Reduced effort when individual output isn't monitored.
What is self-serving bias in group outcomes?

Attribute successes internally and failures externally. Protects self-esteem by taking credit but avoiding blame.
What is diffusion of responsibility in groups?

Reduced personal responsibility when others are present. Shared responsibility dilutes individual obligation to act.
Identify the group process: in a large crowd, a person feels anonymous and acts impulsively.

Deindividuation. Loss of individual identity in crowds enables disinhibition.
What is the definition of a social norm?

Shared, implicit rules for acceptable behavior in a group. Unwritten expectations guide appropriate group behavior.
What is self-serving bias in group or individual outcomes?

Attributing successes internally and failures externally. Protects self-esteem by taking credit for success, blaming situation for failure.
What is self-serving bias in group performance outcomes?

Attributing success to self and failure to external factors. Protects self-esteem by biasing causal explanations.
What is a group role in group dynamics?

Set of expected behaviors for a person in a given position. Positions come with specific behavioral expectations from others.
Identify the concept: A team ignores warnings to preserve unanimity and morale.

Groupthink. Prioritizing consensus over critical evaluation of risks.
What is diffusion of responsibility in group contexts?

Perceived reduced personal accountability when others are present. Responsibility is shared among group members, reducing individual obligation.
What is groupthink as a group decision-making process?

Desire for harmony overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives. Consensus-seeking suppresses critical thinking and dissent.
What is the normative social influence mechanism of conformity?

Conform to be liked or accepted. Social pressure motivates conformity to gain approval.
Identify the sequence of Latané and Darley bystander intervention steps.

Notice, interpret, assume responsibility, know how, implement help. Five-step decision model explains when bystanders will intervene.
What is deindividuation, as used in group behavior research?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint under anonymity. Anonymity reduces self-monitoring and increases impulsive behavior.
What is pluralistic ignorance in emergencies?

People misread others' calm as evidence no help is needed. Each assumes others' inaction means the situation is not serious.
What is the bystander effect in emergencies?

Lower likelihood of helping as the number of bystanders increases. Diffusion of responsibility reduces individual helping behavior.
Identify the process: After discussion, a group becomes more extreme in its initial view.

Group polarization. Initial attitudes intensify through group interaction.
What is group polarization in group decision-making?

Shift toward a more extreme group position after discussion. Discussion amplifies initial tendencies through repeated exposure to similar views.
What is evaluation apprehension as a cause of social facilitation?

Arousal from fear of being judged by others. Concern about others' evaluations creates performance-affecting arousal.
Which factor most directly increases the risk of groupthink: strong leader, anonymity, or diverse views?

Strong directive leader. Directive leadership discourages dissent and critical thinking.
Identify the group phenomenon: A crowd watches an emergency and no one calls for help.

Bystander effect. Diffusion of responsibility prevents individual helping behavior.
What is group polarization after group discussion?

Shift toward more extreme versions of the group's initial attitudes. Risk-shift or caution-shift occurs through repeated exposure to arguments.
Identify the term: A person in a crowd vandalizes property due to anonymity and arousal.

Deindividuation. Loss of individual identity enables normally inhibited behaviors.
What is deindividuation in groups?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint under anonymity in a group. Anonymity in crowds reduces self-monitoring and increases impulsive behavior.
What is the fundamental attribution error in interpreting others' group behavior?

Overemphasizing disposition and underemphasizing situational factors. Neglecting situational constraints when judging others' actions.
Identify the term: A unanimous group discourages dissent and ignores alternatives.

Groupthink. Cohesion and isolation create pressure for unanimous decisions.
What is the risky shift phenomenon?

Groups make riskier decisions than individuals would make alone. Group discussion shifts cautious individuals toward risk-taking.
What is the contact hypothesis for reducing prejudice between groups?

Intergroup contact reduces prejudice under appropriate conditions. Equal status contact with common goals reduces bias.
What is group polarization in group decision-making?

Shift toward more extreme views after group discussion. This phenomenon occurs as discussions reinforce shared beliefs, leading members to adopt more extreme positions than initially held.
What is the superordinate goals strategy for reducing intergroup conflict?

Shared goals requiring cooperation reduce hostility between groups. Common goals requiring interdependence unite opposing groups.
What is group cohesiveness in group dynamics?

Strength of members' attachment and commitment to the group. High cohesiveness increases conformity and group loyalty.
What is a group norm?

Shared, implicit rule about acceptable attitudes or behaviors. Unwritten rules guide member behavior and maintain group cohesion.
What is the in-group bias described by social identity theory?

Favoring one's in-group over out-groups. Enhances self-esteem through positive group comparisons.
Identify the concept: In a crowd, a person feels anonymous and acts impulsively.

Deindividuation. Loss of individual identity leads to disinhibited behavior.
Identify the group process: a person exerts less effort in a tug-of-war than alone.

Social loafing. Individual effort decreases when pooled with others.
What is the risky shift phenomenon?

Groups make riskier decisions than individuals on average. Shared responsibility reduces individual caution in groups.
Identify the group phenomenon: After discussion, a jury becomes more extreme than its initial average.

Group polarization. Initial positions intensify through discussion and mutual reinforcement.
What is diffusion of responsibility in a group setting?

Reduced sense of personal accountability when others are present. Shared responsibility dilutes individual obligation to act.
What is diffusion of responsibility in group settings?

Reduced personal accountability because responsibility is shared. Group size dilutes individual sense of obligation to act.
What is the fundamental attribution error in judging group members?

Overattributing others' behavior to traits and underattributing situations. We overlook situational factors affecting others' actions.
Identify the term: A group seeks unanimity and suppresses dissent to maintain cohesion.

Groupthink. Prioritizes consensus over critical evaluation of options.
What is social loafing in group performance?

Reduced individual effort when working in a group. Individuals exert less effort when their contribution is not identifiable.
What is the mere exposure effect in group attitudes?

Increased liking from repeated exposure to a stimulus or person. Familiarity breeds comfort and positive feelings.
What are groupthink mindguards?

Members who shield the group from dissenting information. These individuals actively prevent contrary views from reaching the group, reinforcing biased and unchallenged decisions.
What is the shared information bias in group decisions?

Groups over-discuss known info and underweight unique info. Members focus on shared knowledge rather than unique contributions.
What is obedience in the context of group dynamics?

Compliance with orders from an authority figure. Power differential compels following directives despite reservations.
What is the difference between an ingroup and an outgroup?

Ingroup: "us"; outgroup: "them" (outside one's group identity). Social categorization creates boundaries between group membership.
What is groupthink in group decision-making?

Consensus-seeking that suppresses dissent and critical evaluation. Desire for harmony overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives.
Identify the concept: Each group member assumes someone else will call for help.

Diffusion of responsibility. Shared responsibility reduces individual action.
What is obedience in social influence?

Following direct commands from an authority figure. Authority legitimacy compels adherence to orders.
Identify the concept: In a large group project, one member exerts less effort than alone.

Social loafing. Hiding in the group reduces individual motivation.
What leadership style most increases groupthink by discouraging dissent?

Directive leader who states preferences early. Such leaders set a dominant agenda, signaling expected agreement and stifling open debate or exploration of alternatives.
What is the fundamental attribution error in judging others in groups?

Overattribute behavior to disposition and underweight situation. We underestimate situational factors when judging others.
What is the self-serving bias in group performance evaluation?

Credit successes to self and blame failures on external factors. Protects self-esteem by attributing outcomes favorably to self.
What is pluralistic ignorance in emergency situations?

Privately doubt but publicly conform, misreading others as calm. Each assumes others' calm means no emergency exists.
What is normative social influence in group behavior?

Conformity to gain approval or avoid social rejection. People conform to be liked and accepted by the group.
What is ingroup favoritism in intergroup relations?

Preferential evaluation or treatment of one's ingroup members. We favor our own group to enhance self-esteem and group identity.
Identify the concept: A cohesive committee suppresses dissent to maintain harmony and consensus.

Groupthink. High cohesion prioritizes unity over critical analysis, leading to flawed decisions by ignoring risks and alternatives.
What is deindividuation, and what does it increase in groups?

Loss of self-awareness; increases impulsive or norm-driven acts. Anonymity in groups reduces self-regulation.
What is the fundamental attribution error, and how does it bias group judgments?

Overattributes others' behavior to traits rather than situations. Underestimates situational influences on others' actions.
What is the risky shift phenomenon in group decisions?

Groups choose riskier options than the average member would alone. Shared responsibility reduces individual caution in decision-making.
What is the fundamental attribution error, often amplified in intergroup contexts?

Overattribute others' behavior to traits and underweight situation. We overlook situational factors when judging others' actions.
Identify the concept: A committee suppresses dissent to appear unanimous.

Groupthink. Pressure for consensus suppresses critical evaluation.
What is social facilitation in the context of group performance?

Improved performance on simple tasks in others' presence. Presence of others increases arousal, enhancing dominant responses and thus boosting efficiency on well-practiced tasks.
Identify the group phenomenon: People work less hard on a tug-of-war when in a large team.

Social loafing. Reduced effort when individual contributions can't be identified.
What is the groupthink symptom called the illusion of invulnerability?

Unrealistic optimism that encourages excessive risk-taking. This mindset creates overconfidence in the group's abilities, ignoring potential dangers and promoting flawed decision-making.
Identify the concept: A group discussion shifts members toward riskier choices than before.

Risky shift (a form of group polarization). Discussions expose members to persuasive arguments favoring risk, amplifying initial leanings toward bolder decisions.
What is diffusion of responsibility in a group context?

Perceived personal responsibility decreases as group size increases. More people sharing responsibility leads to less individual action.
What is informational social influence in a group?

Conforming because others are viewed as a source of correct information. People look to others' behavior to determine reality in ambiguous situations.
What is diffusion of responsibility as a mechanism in groups?

Perceived personal obligation decreases as group size increases. Each person assumes others will act, diluting individual responsibility.
What is deindividuation in groups?

Loss of self-awareness and restraint due to anonymity in a crowd. Group immersion weakens individual identity and inhibitions.
What is the outgroup homogeneity effect?

Perceiving outgroup members as more similar to each other than they are. We see less variability in outgroups due to limited exposure and stereotyping.
What is social inhibition (audience effect) in group settings?

Worsened performance on complex or novel tasks when observed. Arousal impairs performance on difficult tasks requiring concentration.
What is the hidden profile problem in group decision-making?

Best option is missed because unshared info is not pooled effectively. Critical information remains unshared, leading to suboptimal decisions.
Which concept best fits: a group member withholds doubts to avoid conflict and preserve unanimity?

Groupthink. Self-censorship to maintain group cohesion exemplifies groupthink.
What is in-group bias?

Favoring one's own group over out-groups. Enhances self-esteem through positive group identification.
What is the definition of conformity?

Adjusting behavior or beliefs to match group norms. Social pressure leads to alignment with group standards.
What is diffusion of responsibility in group settings?

Reduced personal responsibility when others are present. Shared responsibility dilutes individual accountability.
What is the groupthink symptom called illusion of unanimity?

False belief that silence implies agreement. It stems from self-censorship and mindguarding, creating a misleading perception of complete agreement within the group.
What is the social facilitation effect on performance in the presence of others?

Improves simple tasks and impairs complex or novel tasks. Arousal from others enhances dominant responses.
Which change most reduces social loafing by increasing identifiability of contributions?

Make individual performance measurable and visible. Tracking contributions heightens accountability, motivating individuals to exert full effort to avoid social evaluation or free-riding detection.
What is social facilitation in the context of group performance?

Improved performance on simple tasks when others are present. Arousal from others' presence enhances well-learned responses.
What is the out-group homogeneity effect?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar than in-group members. We see "them" as all alike but "us" as diverse individuals.
What is social loafing in group performance?

Reduced individual effort when contributions are pooled. Individual contributions become less identifiable in groups.
Identify the term: people ignore an emergency because they think others do not see it as urgent.

Pluralistic ignorance. Misreading others' inaction as evidence the situation isn't serious.
What is an out-group homogeneity bias?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar than they are. Lack of familiarity makes differences less noticeable.
What is the self-serving bias in group performance evaluation?

Credit success to self and blame failure on external factors. Protects self-esteem by attributing outcomes selectively.
What is conformity as defined in social psychology?

Adjusting behavior or beliefs to match group norms. Social pressure leads to alignment with group standards.
What is the difference between risky shift and group polarization?

Risky shift is risk-specific; polarization is any attitude extremity. Risky shift is one type of polarization, not all extremity shifts.
What is pluralistic ignorance in ambiguous emergencies?

Using others' inaction to infer no help is needed. Observers interpret collective inaction as a cue that the situation is not urgent, inhibiting their own response.
Identify the concept: People in a crowd commit acts they would avoid when identifiable.

Deindividuation. Anonymity removes personal accountability constraints.
Identify the process: a group suppresses dissent to keep unanimity.

Groupthink. Prioritizing consensus over critical thinking.

Study these flashcards