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Chapter 21
Social Interaction
21.1 Group Behavior
How do groups affect individual behavior?
Social Facilitation
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We often perform better when people are
watching
Not only found in people – animals like
dogs and cats work faster in groups
Evaluation Apprehension – our concern
about the way others see us may motivate
us to improve performance.
Social Loafing
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When working with others toward a
common goal, some my not work as hard
More common when others are also not
doing their share
Diffusion of responsibility – we feel less
responsibility when in a group
Risky Shift
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We tend to take
greater risks when we
are with a group
This may occur do to
the fact that the
responsibility for the
action will be shared
with others
Might explain riots
Group Decision Making
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Many important decisions are made by
groups rather than by individuals
Psychologists have studied factors that
influence group decision making and have
identified a number of social decision
schemes
Group Decision Making
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Majority Wins Scheme
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The group ultimately
decides on the choice
initially supported by
the majority of the
group
Applies most often
when there are no
clear right and wrong
answers
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Truth Wins Scheme
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After learning about
the various choices,
the best option is
selected
Group Decision Making
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Two-Thirds Majority
Scheme
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Sometimes after twothirds of a group agree
on a choice, the others
may go along
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First-Shift Scheme
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When a group is split
50/50, a single person
changing their mind
can cause others to
follow suit.
Polarization
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Individuals are often attracted to groups
where the members share similar views.
These shared attitudes are likely to grow
stronger over time as members discuss
and act on these shared beliefs
This dynamic can be positive or negative
Group Leadership
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Leaders help group members identify goals and
establish plans for reaching them
Leaders may be elected or appointed
Many organizations have a clear chain of
command
Informal groups may not have official leaders
but will likely have some members that are more
influential
These leaders tend to be more self-confident,
outgoing, and intelligent
There are several different types of leaders
Authoritarian Leaders
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Exert absolute
control over all
decisions
Demand obedience
from underlings
Democratic Leaders
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Encourage group
members to
express and
discuss their ideas
Encourage
consensus and
people making
their own decisions
May call for a vote
Laissez-Faire Leaders
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Encourage members to express and
explore their own ideas
Take a less active role in decision making,
allowing members to do as they wish
(even when making poor decisions)
Comparing Leadership Styles
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Different leadership styles are effective in
different situations
In time of crisis, authoritarian leaders may
be best
In other situations, democratic and
laissez-faire may be better
21.2 Conformity
Importance of Groups
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Groups fulfill our needs for belonging,
affection and attention
They also offer support in times of need
Social Norms
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Standards of behavior
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Explicit norms – spoken or written rules
Implicit norms – unspoken but understood
rules
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Can be beneficial or harmful
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Asch’s Studies of Conformity
Asch’s Results
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Many participants confirmed the
confederates selections
¾ of people went along with the group at
least once even though they knew
answers were incorrect
Why do People Conform?
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Central Influences
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Collectivist societies
have high rates of
social conformity
They feel
uncomfortable when
singled out
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Need for Acceptance
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We conform to social
norms of dress and
behavior in order to be
accepted
People with low self
esteem and high social
anxiety conform more
Conformity – Other Factors
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Group size – up to 8
Group is unanimous – even one dissenter
reduces likelihood of conformity
21.3 Obedience
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Most people obey authority figures
Why do some obey immoral commands
Milgram
• Study in obedience
• 40 men aged 20-50
• Asked to shock another
participant when the responded
incorrectly
2/3 of participants continued to the
very end. Even though the learner
shrieked in pain and eventually
ceased responding
Why do People Conform?
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Socialization – We are trained from an
early age to obey authority
Foot in the door effect – We tend to give
in to major demands once we have given
in to minor ones
Why do People Conform?
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Confusion about attitudes – disturbing or
stressful events can cause us to become
confused about our beliefs
Buffers – protection from consequences
increases likelihood of acting against our
beliefs
21.4 Aggression
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Actions or words that are meant to hurt
other people
Biological View
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Some aggressive responses seem to
involve the brain and hormones
Stimulation of hypothalamus
Hormone testosterone (higher levels often
coincide with higher aggression)
May have had survival value
Psychoanalytic View
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Aggressive urges are normal
We repress them due to fear of rejection
Catharsis - Freud felt we should vent
these feelings in less harmful ways that
didn’t physically harm someone
It is unclear whether or not catharsis
actually decreases or increases aggression
Cognitive View
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Behavior is influenced by peoples values,
the ways in which they interpret events
and the choices they make
Frustration and anger make us aggressive
but we don’t act without thought
Learning View
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Aggressive behavior is reinforced and
therefore repeated
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Reinforced when force allows us to get our
way
In sports, aggression aids in winning
We may observe the behavior on TV and in
movies
Learning – TV and Violence
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Controversial topic
Viewers exposed to enormous amounts of
violence
More tv watching leads to increased
aggression
May increase aggression because it
models behavior and lessens inhibitions
Sociocultural View
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Cultures that promote independence and
competitiveness have increases aggression
Cultures that place more value on the
group foster cooperation and have lower
levels of aggression
21.5 Altruism
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Unselfish concern for the welfare of other
people
Explaining altruism
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Might be linked to genetics
Might have evolutionary value especially if
altruistic behavior is directed towards
family members
Some believe that there is no evidence for
a genetic connection
Factors Promoting Altruism
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State of Mind – people in a good mood are more
likely to help others
People with problems – their troubles might
make them more sensitive to others troubles
Empathy
Competency - if you have the necessary skills
for the situation you are more likely to help
Sense of responsibility
Factors Inhibiting Altruism
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Uncertainty – if they are unsure help is
needed people are less likely to act
Fear – of harm or social blunder
Not knowing what to do
Bystander Effect
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Chances that people will help are
influenced by the number of people
present
People alone are likely to help
The more people present, the less likely
people are to render aid
Might be due to the diffusion of
responsibility
Study
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Darley and Latane (1968)
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Office workers on the phone with a
“coworker” when he called for help and made
sounds of distress
Single witnesses helped 85% of the time
People who thought that 4 others heard the
pleas for help only responded 31% of the
time