Chapter 21: Social InteractionHow groups affect our behavior?

Social Facilitation Theory

• If you are really good at something….or it is an easy task…you will perform BETTER in front of a group.

• If it is a difficult task or you are not very good at it…you will perform WORSE in front of a group (social impairment).

Social Loafing

• The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling efforts toward a common goal than if they were individually accountable.

• Diffusion of responsibility

Being part of a group can also lead to…

• Risky Shift

Deindividuation

• People get swept up in a group and lose sense of self.

• Feel anonymous and aroused.

• Explains rioting behaviors.

Group Polarization

• Groups tend to make more extreme decisions than the individual.

Types of Leaders

• Authoritarian• Democratic• Laissez-Faire

Social Norms

• Standards of behavior that a group of people share– Can you think of examples?

• Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Examples…

Asch’s Study of Conformity

Asch’s Results

• About 1/3 of the participants conformed.

• 70% conformed at least once.

What makes people conform?

• Culture• Need to be accepted• Size of group• If group is unanimous• If group is the “in-group” or

considered popular or well liked

Obedience

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Results of the Milgram Study

Why do people obey?

• Its taught!!!– Don’t question authority– Its YOUR job– Do as I say…not as I do

Aggression

Psychology of Aggression

• Biological view• Psychoanalytic view• Cognitive view• Learning view• Sociocultural view

Altruism

• Unselfish concern for the welfare of other people

Bystander effect

• People are less likely to help when other people are present– Video

Effects of the Bystander Effect

• Kitty Genovese case in NY.

• More videos