Chapter 14 - Groups

1. Chapter 14 - Groups What Groups Are and Do Groups, Roles, and Selves Group Action How Groups Think Power and Leadership This is an overview of the topics of the chapter. Before beginning the chapter there is a slide based on the chapter introduction that can be used to stimulate classroom discussion. Supplemental Lecture: See Roy Baumeister�s own PowerPoint� lecture on Groups under the �supplemental lecture� menu on your Multimedia Manager Instructor�s Resource CD, or visit the Book Companion Website for a downloadable file.This is an overview of the topics of the chapter. Before beginning the chapter there is a slide based on the chapter introduction that can be used to stimulate classroom discussion. Supplemental Lecture: See Roy Baumeister�s own PowerPoint� lecture on Groups under the �supplemental lecture� menu on your Multimedia Manager Instructor�s Resource CD, or visit the Book Companion Website for a downloadable file.

2. Groups Henry Ford Ford Motor Company�s assembly line Can groups outperform individuals? What does the story of Ford�s success with the assembly line exemplify about the social psychology of groups? Technology Tips: APA recently issued a press release detailing research that groups surpass individuals at problem solving.Technology Tips: APA recently issued a press release detailing research that groups surpass individuals at problem solving.

3. What Groups Are Groups are two or more people doing or being something together Groups feel similar to one another Presence of an outgroup Technology Tip: The film Flight 93 demonstrates how a diverse group can come together as a cohesive group in the face of a hijacking. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475276/)Technology Tip: The film Flight 93 demonstrates how a diverse group can come together as a cohesive group in the face of a hijacking. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475276/)

4. What Groups Do In human evolution Safety in numbers Help others find food Accomplish tasks that are too difficult for the individual

5. What Groups Do Cultural groups Preserve information and pass it along to future generations Use information to organize themselves Benefit from role differentiation and division of labor Teaching Tip: Consider holding your own jelly bean challenge akin to Surowiecki�s challenge described in the online article �The Wisdom of Crowds.�Teaching Tip: Consider holding your own jelly bean challenge akin to Surowiecki�s challenge described in the online article �The Wisdom of Crowds.�

6. Tradeoffs - Diversity in Groups Diversity involves tradeoffs Can be more creative and flexible Better chance of bringing in different information Can be harder to cooperate and work together

7. Groups, Roles and Selves One main function of a group is to accomplish something. Having unique roles help us work together Roles are defined by the system; exist independent of the person in that role People need to be flexible to take on and drop roles

8. Groups, Roles, and Selves Deindividuation vs. Differentiation Is it best to be anonymous or openly identified? Example Voting � We keep our vote private to protect ourselves Problems with Deindividuation Aggression, Antisocial behavior Individual beliefs become lost Teaching Tip: Ask students to consider whether they mind that their friends like to shop at the same clothing stores that they do. Likely few will mind; in fact, sharing similar tastes in clothes can be self-affirming. Next ask whether they would mind if their friends repeatedly bought the same outfits they had. Likely many would mind this, opening the door to explaining the optimal distinctiveness theory.Teaching Tip: Ask students to consider whether they mind that their friends like to shop at the same clothing stores that they do. Likely few will mind; in fact, sharing similar tastes in clothes can be self-affirming. Next ask whether they would mind if their friends repeatedly bought the same outfits they had. Likely many would mind this, opening the door to explaining the optimal distinctiveness theory.

9. Deindividuation and Mob Violence Deindividuation can lead to antisocial behavior Being anonymous to outsiders makes people more willing to violate norms Stop worrying about what others think of them � more willing to behave badly Accountability is best predictor of aggression Teaching Tip: A vivid example of deindividuation and mob violence came in 2000 when mobs of men attacked women and girls in Central Park. See �More Women, Girls Tell of Attacks by Mob of Men in New York� at CNN.com (http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/06/14/central.park.assault.01/).Teaching Tip: A vivid example of deindividuation and mob violence came in 2000 when mobs of men attacked women and girls in Central Park. See �More Women, Girls Tell of Attacks by Mob of Men in New York� at CNN.com (http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/06/14/central.park.assault.01/).

10. Groups, Roles, and Selves Optimal distinctiveness theory Tension between the need to be similar to group members and distinctive from them If we feel too similar, we try to become different. If we feel too different, we try to become similar. Identifying people in groups and holding them accountable produces better results Teaching Tip: Ask students to consider whether they mind that their friends like to shop at the same clothing stores that they do. Likely few will mind; in fact, sharing similar tastes in clothes can be self-affirming. Next ask whether they would mind if their friends repeatedly bought the same outfits they had. Likely many would mind this, opening the door to explaining the optimal distinctiveness theory.Teaching Tip: Ask students to consider whether they mind that their friends like to shop at the same clothing stores that they do. Likely few will mind; in fact, sharing similar tastes in clothes can be self-affirming. Next ask whether they would mind if their friends repeatedly bought the same outfits they had. Likely many would mind this, opening the door to explaining the optimal distinctiveness theory.

11. Groups Action Theory of social facilitation (Zajonc, 1965) Presence of others increases arousal Arousal increases dominant response Triplett�s study of cyclists Presence of others can improve people�s performance, especially familiar, easy tasks Technology Tip: To demonstrate this effect, students can type part of a paper alone, then type the rest while someone watches them. In which condition are they slower/faster? More/less prone to make errors? For a more precise comparison, have them take an online typing test in each condition. (A free typing test is available at Typingtest.com)Technology Tip: To demonstrate this effect, students can type part of a paper alone, then type the rest while someone watches them. In which condition are they slower/faster? More/less prone to make errors? For a more precise comparison, have them take an online typing test in each condition. (A free typing test is available at Typingtest.com)

12. Groups Action Theory of social facilitation (Zajonc, 1965) Social Inhibition Presence of others increases arousal Arousal decreases a non-dominant response Study of cockroaches (1969) Presence of others can decrease people�s performance on unfamiliar, difficult tasks Technology Tip: To demonstrate this effect, students can type part of a paper alone, then type the rest while someone watches them. In which condition are they slower/faster? More/less prone to make errors? For a more precise comparison, have them take an online typing test in each condition. (A free typing test is available at Typingtest.com)Technology Tip: To demonstrate this effect, students can type part of a paper alone, then type the rest while someone watches them. In which condition are they slower/faster? More/less prone to make errors? For a more precise comparison, have them take an online typing test in each condition. (A free typing test is available at Typingtest.com)

13. Social Loafing�Free Rider Problem� Ringelmann (1913) Farm workers � as number of workers increased, output did not increase as much. People reduce effort when working in a group Not individually identified or accountable Not wanting to be a �sucker� Bad apple effect Discussion Tip: Ask students if social facilitation �rings true� for them in the case of group assignments. Do people seem to work harder in groups? Many will likely so no, mentioning the problem of �slackers.� Then introduce the concept of social loafing. Discussion Tip: Ask students how group assignments might be modified to decrease social loafing. What instructions should be given? How should grades be determined?Discussion Tip: Ask students if social facilitation �rings true� for them in the case of group assignments. Do people seem to work harder in groups? Many will likely so no, mentioning the problem of �slackers.� Then introduce the concept of social loafing. Discussion Tip: Ask students how group assignments might be modified to decrease social loafing. What instructions should be given? How should grades be determined?

14. Social Loafing�Free Rider Problem� Loafing is more likely to occur When members are deindividuated: No individual accountability When others are loafing In men Loafing is less likely to occur When one�s cooperation is unique to the group When the group is meaningful & cohesive Discussion Tip: Ask students if social facilitation �rings true� for them in the case of group assignments. Do people seem to work harder in groups? Many will likely so no, mentioning the problem of �slackers.� Then introduce the concept of social loafing. Discussion Tip: Ask students how group assignments might be modified to decrease social loafing. What instructions should be given? How should grades be determined?Discussion Tip: Ask students if social facilitation �rings true� for them in the case of group assignments. Do people seem to work harder in groups? Many will likely so no, mentioning the problem of �slackers.� Then introduce the concept of social loafing. Discussion Tip: Ask students how group assignments might be modified to decrease social loafing. What instructions should be given? How should grades be determined?

15. Punishing Cheaters and Free Riders Altruistic punishment People will sometimes sacrifice their own gain, to benefit all, by punishing free riders Goes against Economic theory which suggest we want to maximize our payoffs May be considered guarding the culture Culture depends on a system; cheat the system, ruin it for all

16. Shared Resources and the Commons Dilemma Costs of private ownership Inequality Ambition, greed Cost of communal ownership Lack of preserving care Commons dilemma Squandering of shared resources Technology Tip: See the special issue of Science magazine devoted to the tragedy of the commons and the additional resources available online.Technology Tip: See the special issue of Science magazine devoted to the tragedy of the commons and the additional resources available online.

17. Shared Resources and the Commons Dilemma Conflicts within commons dilemma Social conscience versus selfish impulse Time (Now versus tomorrow) Factors influencing commons dilemma Communication Behavior of others Technology Tip: For recent research on the effectiveness of normative information on pro-environmental behavior, see the APA Monitor.Technology Tip: For recent research on the effectiveness of normative information on pro-environmental behavior, see the APA Monitor.

18. How Groups Think Brainstorming A form of creative thinking People enjoy the process and evaluate it favorably Individuals want to participate in brainstorming BUT: Output is lower than individuals working alone Technology Tip: Don Forsyth has provided a time line of group research from 1890 to 1960 at his website (http://www.richmond.edu/~dforsyth/gd/groups.pdf).Technology Tip: Don Forsyth has provided a time line of group research from 1890 to 1960 at his website (http://www.richmond.edu/~dforsyth/gd/groups.pdf).

19. How Groups Think Collective wisdom of group is better than individual experts People must act as independent members of a group and share their diverse information Examples: Galton�s study and Who Wants to be a Millionaire

20. Why Do People Love Teams? Many people believe teams Make better decisions Improve performance People enjoy working on teams Satisfies their need to belong Feel confident, effective and superior

21. Transactive Memory Members of a small group remember different things Begins at learning stage where group can decide roles for learning different things Teaching Tip: Demonstrate the benefits of transactive memory by asking four students to remember a long list of numbers: 6, 12, 25, 16, 55, 29 45, 9, 32, 41, 2, 15. Likely the students will fail. Next ask four students to remember the list, but give each student only three numbers to remember. Student one remembers , 12, 25; student two remembers 16, 55, 29, etc.Teaching Tip: Demonstrate the benefits of transactive memory by asking four students to remember a long list of numbers: 6, 12, 25, 16, 55, 29 45, 9, 32, 41, 2, 15. Likely the students will fail. Next ask four students to remember the list, but give each student only three numbers to remember. Student one remembers , 12, 25; student two remembers 16, 55, 29, etc.

22. Groupthink Tendency of group members to think alike Specifically group clings to shared but flawed view rather than being open to the truth (Janus, 1972, 1982) Roots in desire to get along

23. Groupthink Factors that encourage groupthink Fairly similar and cohesive group to start Strong, directive leader Group is isolated in some sense from others Group regards itself as superior

24. Groupthink Signs of groupthink Pressure toward conformity Appearance of unanimous agreement Self-censorship Illusion of invulnerability Sense of moral superiority Tendency to overestimate opponents Technology Tip: NASA has been accused of groupthink in the loss of the Columbia and Challenger shuttles. See, for example, �NASA�s Culture of Denial" at MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3077543/).Technology Tip: NASA has been accused of groupthink in the loss of the Columbia and Challenger shuttles. See, for example, �NASA�s Culture of Denial" at MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3077543/).

25. Committees Why aren�t committees effective? Group harmony stifles free exchange of information Focus on common knowledge rather than unique information people have

26. Committees How can they be effective? Respect each other�s knowledge Share individual knowledge Allow each member to be individually responsible for one task / piece of information

27. Group Polarization and Risky Shift Risky shift Group is willing to take greater risks than individuals (on average) Group polarization effect Movement toward either extreme (risk or caution) resulting from group discussion Technology Tip: The Changing Minds website provides a nice overview of group polarization (http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/group_polarization.htm). Technology Tip: The Changing Minds website provides a description of the risky shift phenomenon, along with examples (http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/risky_shift.htm).Technology Tip: The Changing Minds website provides a nice overview of group polarization (http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/group_polarization.htm). Technology Tip: The Changing Minds website provides a description of the risky shift phenomenon, along with examples (http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/risky_shift.htm).

28. Leadership Traits of successful leaders Humble and modest Extreme persistence Traits of people perceived as good leaders Decisive Competent at group tasks Possess integrity Honest and good moral character Have vision Technology Tip: Jim Collins (Good to Great) maintains an extensive website with may resources (http://www.jimcollins.com/).Technology Tip: Jim Collins (Good to Great) maintains an extensive website with may resources (http://www.jimcollins.com/).

29. Power One person�s control over another Many powerful seek additional power Relation between power and belongingness Morgenthau (1963) Technology Tip: Additional details and resources on power are available at Beyondintractability.org Technology Tip: Connections among roles, power, and behavior in both the Stanford prison study and Abu Ghraib prison are discussed in the APA online article, �How Psychology Can Help Explain the Iraqi Prisoner Abuse� (http://www.apa.org/ppo/issues/breckler604.html )Technology Tip: Additional details and resources on power are available at Beyondintractability.org Technology Tip: Connections among roles, power, and behavior in both the Stanford prison study and Abu Ghraib prison are discussed in the APA online article, �How Psychology Can Help Explain the Iraqi Prisoner Abuse� (http://www.apa.org/ppo/issues/breckler604.html )

30. Effects of Power on Leaders Five crucial effects Feels good Alters attention to rewards and punishment Changes the relationships between people Makes people rely more on automatic processing Removes inhibitions against taking action Teaching Tip: You may wish to reference Zimbardo�s Stanford prison study here. See additional resources at Zimbardo�s webpage (http://www.zimbardo.com/zimbardo.html).Teaching Tip: You may wish to reference Zimbardo�s Stanford prison study here. See additional resources at Zimbardo�s webpage (http://www.zimbardo.com/zimbardo.html).

31. Effects of Power on Followers Followers pay extra attention to the powerful person and try to understand him/her People with less power will be prone to fostering peace and harmony People low in power adapt to the expectations of high-power people

32. Legitimate Leadership Maintenance of power is often dependent on legitimizing myth Explanation and justification of why powerful people deserve to be in power