Social Psychology Of Groups

Running head: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF GROUPS 1

Social Psychology of Groups

Name

Institutional Affiliation

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF GROUPS 2

Social Psychology of Groups

Question 1

Norms refer to the standard forms of behavior in the society (Sherif, 2015). The

norms that define various societies play important social and cultural roles because they are

responsible for order in the society. It is, therefore, imperative people observe the norms

because of their central role in creating order in the society. An example of the importance of

norms in the society can be seen in the manner that it creates a consistency in behavior

among the members of the society so that it can be established when one deviates.

Question 2

Pluralistic ignorance is a phenomenon in social psychology that refers to a situation in

which most of the group members privately dissociate themselves with a norm, but wrongly

presuppose that a majority others accept it, and as a result, go along with it (Thibaut,

2017). An example is found in public transport in which most people often keep to

themselves. The truth is that they want to talk and be in the conversation but still believe that

others do not like to be involved in conversations with strangers.

Question 3

After looking at the table, I would go along with “responsible” as a trait that best

describes me. I believe that people should always get work done and deliver on their

responsibilities. This is why I often get involved in the organization by being involved in the

activities of the organization. Similarly, I also understand that managing tasks in the

organization imply that one is delivering on their mandate. I, therefore, always see it as an

important fact to cooperate with others to facilitate the work done from the team level to the

organization’s level.

Question 4

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF GROUPS 3

Asch’s study refers to a controlled experiment on a group. The group members were

tasked to identify a correct solution to a problem. The group members believed that they were

making perceptual decisions as part of their group. Only one was predetermined to make

deliberate errors on particular trails. Asch’s study is an important one in understanding

groups and roles of groups. For one, the study evinced that as an individual; one has the

capacity to make the right decisions but will second-guess themselves in a group setting

based on what others think.

Question 5

Majority and minority influences are two distinct kinds of influence in psychology

((Thibaut, 2017). Between the two, the majority influence tends to be more important than

the minority influence. First, it is imperative to note that majority influence enables

conformity. When people conform in a group to certain culture and behavior, then it is easy

to manage such a group due to the limited opportunities for deviation, which can cause chaos.

Question 6

The bystander effect refers to a social psychological phenomenon in which case

people are less likely to give assistance to a victim in the presence of other people. The

bystander effect is true and in most cases, it leads to outcomes that should not occur because

of delayed help. On the other hand, the black sheep effect is the trajectory of members of

groups to evaluate friendly in-group members in a more positive way and deviant in-group

members in an unattractive way than comparable out-groups members ((Sherif, 2015). I think

it is wrong because people should be judged using the same standards irrespective of their

group affiliations.

Responses

David Ratcliff

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF GROUPS 4

I concur with this post on the matter of the utility of norms in groups. The post makes

it abundantly clear that it is imperative to observe the norms because they bring regularity in

behavior as well as unity. These two are intrinsically significant to a group for it to be

functional. I further agree that people tend to have both negative and positive traits as a

mixture and it is not easy to find anyone with a singular strand. However, I think that in as

much as the blend of the two may define individuals, one will outdo the other. For the

response to the question of whether the minority of majority influence is the most important, I

disagree since I think that having conformity in a group is more crucial.

Natsumi Ono

I also agree with this response to the importance of norms in a group. Most

importantly, the author points out that it brings consistency and expectations in a group.

Moreover, the example given to validate this stand is apt in that it defines how the people in a

group will behave consistently even in the absence of prescribed arrangements. Additionally,

on the point of Asch’s study, I am in agreement because group psychology or “mob

psychology” influences objectivity as people tend to be influenced to move with the crowd,

rather than thinking for themselves and fashioning an individual to decide alone and further

private opinions. Finally, I concur that both majority and minority influences are important.

However, there is a weakness in the majority influence because it may lead to some poor

decisions.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF GROUPS 5

References

Thibaut, J. W. (2017). The social psychology of groups. Routledge.

Sherif, M. (2015). Group conflict and co-operation: Their social psychology (Vol. 29).

Psychology Press.

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