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Today’s Agenda. R@F 20min Conformity & Group Think Note Reading The Simpsons ?. Psychological Analysis of Groups and Group Behaviour.
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Today’s Agenda R@F 20min Conformity & Group Think Note Reading The Simpsons ?
Psychologists have studied the power of non-family groups on individual behaviour. They have studied CONFORMITY which occurs when a person adjusts his or her thoughts, feelings and behaviour to match the behaviour or standards of a group.
1. Group Attractiveness • The more attractive the group, the more likely members are to conform
2. Group Unanimity • Groups that are in total agreement can exert great pressure to conform
3. Public versus Private Response • When group members have to express their views in front of others, they are more likely to conform then if they could do so in private (anonymity)
4. Nature of the Task • Tasks or questions that are vague or have no clear answer are easier to have people to conform to. When answers or solutions are clearer, factual or on a topic a person feels competent about relative to the group, one is less likely to conform
GROUPTHINK A desire to reach a consensus or agreement that is so strong that group members lose their ability to critically examine other alternatives.
GROUPTHINK – Negative Consequences • Too little time spent on evaluating alternatives once a decision is made • Information that is critical of the main group’s viewpoint is dismissed or ridiculed • Self-censorship among group members creates the illusion of total agreement and that the group cannot possibly be wrong • Information from outside people that challenges the group’s view may be completely ignored
When GroupThinkGoes Too Far • The result can be a cult!