Chapter Nine: Behavior in Social and Cultural Context

Individuals in Groups

INTRODUCTION

When we make decisions in groups, the decision often depends less on our own desires, and more on the dynamics of the group.

WHAT'S AHEAD

• Why do people in groups often go along with the majority even when the majority is dead wrong?
• How can "groupthink" lead to bad---even catastrophic---decisions?
• Why is it common for a group of people to hear someone shout for help without one of them calling the police?
• What enables some people to dissent, take moral action, or blow the whistle on wrongdoers?

KEY CONCEPTS

Conformity
Groupthink
The Anonymous Crowd
Courage and Nonconformity

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Conformity [p.312]

INTRODUCTION

We tend to conform when we are in groups, taking action or adopting attitudes as a result of real or imagined group pressure.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

.Asch Study

If everyone else in your group says line 1 is the same length as the test line, what would you say?

...Results

• 1/3 conform to group decision more than 1/2 the time.
  
  
• Rest conform some of the time.
  
  
• The individual feels uncomfortable.

...General findings from replication of studies:

• Conformity has declined over the years (social norm is changing).
  
  
• People in individualistic cultures conform less.
  
  
• Regardless of culture:
  • Conformity increases as the stimulus becomes more ambiguous.
  • Conformity increases as the number of accomplices increase.
  • Conformity increases members of group are more alike.

...Positive Aspects of Conformity:

• Society runs smoothly when people conform to cultural norms.

...Negative Aspects of Conformity

• Suppresses critical thinking and creativity.
  
  
• Individual violates own beliefs in favor of group.

...Why People Conform

• Identify with group members and want to be like them.
  
  
• Want to be liked.
  
  
• Group has superior knowledge or ability.
  
  
• Pure self-interest.

Groupthink [p.313]

INTRODUCTION

The tendency for group members to think alike and suppress dissent.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

Group's need for total agreement and need to be liked overwhelm the need to make the wisest decision and the ability to disagree with a bad decision.

• Features of groups are susceptible to groupthink:

  • Highly cohesive (the group has high regard for each other and work well with each other)
    
    
  • Isolated from other viewpoints.
    
    
  • They feel under pressure from outside forces.
    
    
  • Have a strong directive leader.
• Symptoms of Groupthink
  
  
  • An illusion of invulnerability - belief it can do no wrong.
    
    
  • Self-censorship - dissenters voluntarily keep quiet.
    
    
  • Direct pressure on dissenters to conform.
    
    
  • Illusion of unanimity.

• Groupthink tendencies can be managed.

GLOSSARY

groupthink

The Anonymous Crowd [p.314]

INTRODUCTION

Bad things often happen in anonymous crowds.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

..Diffusion of Responsibility

• Responsibility for what is happening is spread among many people and no one takes action because they believe someone else will.
• Bystander Apathy
  • The failure of bystanders to come to the aid of a victim in an emergency.

..Social Loafing

• Members of the group slow down letting others work harder.

..Occurs when:

• Not accountable for work.
• Work duplicates colleagues efforts.
• Feel exploited.
• Work is boring.

..Loafing diminishes when:

• Challenge is increased.
• Members have different individual tasks.
• Group performance evaluated again another group.
• Work on something very important.

..Deindividuation

• Individual loses awareness of one's individuality and sense of self.
  
  
• Behavior becomes disconnected from their values - act mindlessly and one often does destructive things.
  
  
• Deindividuation more likely:
  
  
  • In a large city.
  • Faceless mob.
  • Signs of individuality are concealed by uniforms or masks.
    
    
• Extreme Individuation
  • Too self-aware and forgets one's dependence on others,

GLOSSARY

		diffusion of responsibility
		deindividuation

LINKS About Bystander Apathy

	"In Groups, We Shrink From Loner's Heroics " essay by Carole Tavris (your text author).
wwwlink:	Determining the likelihood that you would help
wwwlink:	Discussion of the area of "Bystander Intervention."

Courage and Nonconformity [p.315]

INTRODUCTION

There are several important factors that foster independent action to do the right thing.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

1. Individual perceives the need for intervention.
   
   
2. The individual decides to task responsibility.
   
   
   • More likely when the individual is alone and hears a cry for help.
   • Degree of risk is taken into consideration.
     
     
3. The individual decides the costs of doing nothing outweighs the costs of getting involved.
   
   
4. The individual has an ally.
   
   
   • The presence of one other similarly minded ally reassures a person of the rightness of their decision.
     
     
5. The individual becomes entrapped.
   
   
   • Once you take the initial step of getting involved, most people will increase their commitment to taking action (rewind to entrapment).

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