SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND

GROUP PROCESSES

INTRODUCTIONIn our day to day life we interact with

our family, friends, teachers & classmates.

These groups provide us the needed support, comfort and facilitates our

growth & development as an individual.

WHAT IS A GROUP?

A group is an organised system of two or more individuals, who are

interacting & interdependent, who have common motives, have a set of

role relationships among its members, and have norms that regulate the

behaviour of its members.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUPS

--It is a social unit consisting of 2 or more individuals who perceive themselves as belonging to the group.--Have common motives & goals--Individuals are interdependent on each other--Satisfies a need through their joint association & also influence each other--Individuals interact with each other--The interactions of individuals are structured by a set of roles & norms.

CROWD--Collection of people present at a place/situation by chance.--There is neither any structure nor feeling of belongingness.--Behaviour of people in a crowd is irrational & there is no interdependence among members.

TEAMS -special kinds of groups-have complementary skills-committed to a common goal or purpose-members are mutually accountable for their activities-have positive synergy attained through the coordinated efforts of the members

GROUPS -Performance is dependent on contributions of individual members-Leader holds responsibility for the work

TEAMS-Both individual contribution and team work matters.

-Although there is a leader, members hold themselves responsible.

AUDIENCE-Collection of people assembled for a special purpose-Generally passive

MOBS-When audiences go into a frenzy they become mobs-definite sense of purpose-polarization in attention-actions of people are in a common directionThere is homogeneity of thought & behaviour as well as impulsivity

WHY DO PEOPLE JOIN GROUPS?

SECURITY -Provides a sense of comfort and satisfaction -People feel stronger and-Less vulnerable to threats

STATUSWhen we are members of a group that is perceived to be important by others,

we feel recognized & experience a sense of power.

SELF ESTEEMGroups provide feelings of self worth &

establish a positive social identity.Being a member of a prestigious group

enhances one’s self-concept.

SATISFACTION OF ONE’S PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS-Provides sense of belongingness-Giving and receiving attention-Love-Power

GOAL ACHIEVEMENTGroups help in achieving goals which

cannot be attained individually.There is power in majority.

PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE & INFORMATION

Group members provide knowledge & information and thus broadens our

view.

GROUP FORMATION

PROXIMITYRepeated interactions with the same set of individuals give us a chance to

know them, their interests & attitudes.

SIMILARITYPeople prefer consistency & like relationships that are consistent.

When we meet similar people, they reinforce & validate our opinions &

values which we feel are right & thus we start liking them.

COMMON MOTIVES AND GOALS

When people have common motives and goals they get together & form a

group which facilitate .their goal attainment

STAGES OF GROUP FORMATION

FORMING STAGE-group members first meet-uncertainty about the group, the goal & how it is to be achieved-try to know each other & assess whether they will fit inthere is excitement as well as apprehensions

STORMINGis the intra group conflict about -how the target is to be achieved-who is to control-who is to perform what task AFTER THE STAGE IS COMPLETE-hierarchy of leadership develops-clear vision about how to achieve the group goal

NORMINGDevelop norms related to group

behaviour.This leads to the formation of positive

group identity.

PERFORMINGThe group moves towards achieving

the group goal.For some groups, this may be the last

stage of group development.

ADJOURNING STAGEOnce the function is over the group

may be disbanded.

GROUP STRUCTURE

During the process of group formation groups also develop a structure. The group structure develops as group members interact. Over time this interaction shows regularities in

distribution of task to be performed, responsibilities assigned to members and the prestige or relative status of

members.

ROLESSocially defined expectations that individuals in a given situation are

expected to fulfill.

ROLE EXPECTATIONSBehaviour expected of someone in a

particular role.

NORMSExpected standard of behaviour & beliefs established, agreed upon &

enforced by group members.They may be considered as a group’s

‘unspoken rules’.

STATUSRelative social position given to group

members by others.ASCRIBED:-given because of one’s

seniorityACHIEVED:-achieved because of

expertise or hard work

COHESIVENESSTogetherness, binding & mutual

attraction among group members .Group members start to think, feel &

act like a social unit and less like isolated individuals.

It is the team spirit or ‘we’ feeling or a sense of belonging.

GROUP THINK is a consequence of extreme

cohesiveness.No one expresses dissenting opinion

because each person believes it would undermine the cohesion of the group

and s/he would be unpopular

Such groups have an exaggerated sense of its own power to control

things & tend to ignore or minimise cues from the real world that suggest

danger to its plan.

WAYS TO COUNTERACT OR

PREVENT GROUPTHINK

-Encouraging & rewarding critical thinking and disagreement among group members- Encouraging group members to present alternative courses of action -Inviting outside experts to evaluate group’s decisions-Encourage members to seek feedback from trusted others

TYPES OF GROUPS

PRIMARY -Pre-existing formations are given to the individual-eg. family, caste, religion-face-to-face interaction-close physical proximity-share warm emotional bonds-central to individual’s functioning-boundaries are less permeable

SECONDARY -individual joins by chance -eg. Political party-relationships are more impersonal, indirect & less frequent-It is easy to leave & join another group

INGROUP OUTGROUP• -one’s own group• -refer using ‘WE’• -supposed to be

similar• -viewed favourably• -have desirable traits

• -another group• -refer using

‘THEY’• -viewed differently• -perceived

negatively

FORMAL-functions are explicitly stated.Eg. Office, university-roles of group members are stated-formation is based on specific rules or laws-have set of norms

INFORMAL-not based on rules or laws-there is close relationship among members

INFLUENCE OF GROUP ON INDIVIDUAL

BEHAVIOUR

SOCIAL FACILITATIONPerformance on specific tasks is

influenced by the mere presence of others.

Norman Triplett observed that individuals show better performance in

the presence of others, than when they are performing the same task

alone.

Cycling

SOCIAL LOAFINGIndividuals perform less hard in a

group than they do when performing alone.

It is reduction in individual effort when working on a collective task i.e., one in which outputs are pooled with those of

other group members.

Tug-of-war

EXPERIMENT BY LATANEClap or Cheer

WHY DOES SOCIAL LOAFING

OCCUR?

-members feel less responsible -motivation decreases as their contributions will not be evaluated on individual basis--improper coordination-performance of group is not compared with other group--belonging to the same group is not important for the members.

HOW CAN SOCIAL

LOAFING BE REDUCED?

-Identify efforts of each person-increase pressure to work hard-make group members committed-increase importance or value of a task-strengthen group cohesiveness

GROUP POLARISATIONThe strengthening of the group’s initial position as a result of group interaction

& discussion .Groups are more likely to take extreme

decisions than individuals alone.

CONFORMITY, COMPLIANCE & OBEDIENCE

SOCIAL INFLUENCErefers to those processes whereby our

attitudes and behaviours are influenced by the real or imagined

presence of other people.

There are three important group influence processes:1)Conformity2)Compliance3)Obedience

CONFORMITY

-Behaving according to group norm i.e., expectations of other group members

-Persons who do not conform are called deviants or non-conformists.

WHY IS THERE A TENDENCY TO

FOLLOW A NORM?

Norms are set of unwritten & informal rules of behaviour that provide information to members about what is expected of them in specific situations--This allows both individual & group to function smoothly.--Avoid disapproval--most people believe that majority is more likely to be right

Easier to say ‘yes’ rather than ‘no’ to a harmless & eventually meaningful request.

The Auto kinetic Effect

DETERMINANTS OF CONFORMITY

SIZE OF THE GROUPConformity is greater when the group

is smallIn a large group the majority is stronger, therefore the norm is

stronger & the group pressure is also stronger.

SIZE OF THE MINORITY

When the dissenting or deviating minority size increases the likelihood of

conformity decreases.The number of dissenters or non-

conformists increases in the group.

NATURE OF THE TASKSituation1.A task that required an answer to be verified & it could be correct or incorrect.Situation2.Task to give opinion about some topic

Conformity will be less likely in Situation2.

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE EXPRESSION OF

BEHAVIOURLess conformity is found in private

expression than under public expression.

PERSONALITYSome have a conforming personality

while others are independent.People who are highly intelligent, confident, strongly committed &

having self-esteem are less likely to conform.

INFORMATIONAL INFLUENCEInfluence from accepting evidence than reality &

observing reality.

NORMATIVE INFLUENCEInfluence based on a person’s desire to be accepted or

admired by others.Conform because of fear of rejection.

Sometimes when the minority takes a firm & uncompromising stand the majority decision gets

undermined.

COMPLIANCE

In compliance there are external conditions that force the individual to accept the influence of the significant

other.Behaving in response to a request even

in the absence of a norm.

SALES PERSON

WHY DO PEOPLE COMPLY?-It is an easy way out of the situation-more polite-the other party is pleased

FOOT-IN-THE-DOOR TCCHNIQUE

Begins by making a small request & once it is carried out, bigger requests

are made.

PROMOTION

THE DEAD LINE TECHNIQUE

People comply more when there is a dead line.

DOOR-IN-THE-FACE TECHNIQUE

Begins with a large request & when this is refused a later request for

something smaller(actually desired) is made , which is usually granted.

OBEDIENCE

When compliance is shown to an instruction or order from a person of authority that behaviour is called obedience.

WHY PEOPLE SHOW OBEDIENCE?-fear of punishment-belief that authority must be obeyed

.

Ordinary people are ready to harm innocent people if ordered by someone in authority.

WHY?-Does not feel responsible-Difficult to resist as it is form an authority-Initial obedience binds the followers for commitment-Events are moving at a fast speed

RIOT

COOPERATION AND

COMPETITION

COOPERATION-Groups work together to achieve

shared goals-group rewards

-each member can attain the goal only if other members of the group also

attain the goal.

In cooperative groups there is:-more coordination-acceptance for each other’s ideas-members are friendly-main concern is to see that the group excels

Relay race

Doubles

COMPETITION-members try to maximize their own benefits & work for the realization of self interest-individual rewards-each individual can get his goals only if others don’t

100m race

Competition between individuals in a group leads to conflict & disharmony.

Competition between groups leads to cohesion & solidarity.

SHERIF’S SUMMER CAMP EXPERIMENTSFRIENDSHIP FORMATION-spend time together & mixed freelyINGROUP FORMATION-divided into two groups(separate names & norms)INTERGROUP COMPETITION-ingroup cohesion & loyalty became strongerINTERGROUP COOPERATION-super ordinate goal, i.e., a goal to which personal goals were subordinated were developed

DETERMINANTS OF COOPERATION

AND COMPETITION

-- REWARD STRUCTURE

-- INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

-- RECIPROCITY

SOCIAL IDENTITY

PERSONAL IDENTITIES are derived from views of oneself as a unique individual.

BOY GIRL

SOCIAL IDENTITIES are derived from groups we perceive ourselves to

be members of.

--Social identity is that aspect of our self-concept which is based on our group membership.--Tells us what & where we are in the larger social context.--Help us locate ourselves in society.--Provide members with a shared set of values, beliefs and goals.

School/Class

NEGATIVE ASPECTS-ingroup & outgroup categorisation

-favouritism to own group-rating in group more favourably

-devaluating outgroup-inter group conflicts

INTERGROUP CONFLICT:

NATURE AND CAUSES

Conflict is a process in which either an individual or group perceives that others have opposing interests and both try to contradict each other.

-Each protect only their interests-There is opposition of each other-Tries to exert power on each other-Groups are more aggressive than individuals

MAJOR REASONS FOR GROUP CONFLICTS

-Lack of communication or faulty communication-Relative deprivation & comparison-Belief of one party that they are better than the other-feeling that the other group does not respect the norms of the other-Desire for revenge-Biased perceptions-Perceived inequity

Most conflicts begin in the minds of men and then go into the field.

STRUCTURAL CONDITIONSPoverty, economic and social

stratification, inequality, limited social and political opportunities.

GROUP LEVEL CONDITIONSSocial identity, realistic conflicts between groups over resources,

unequal power relations between groups

INDIVIDUAL LEVELBeliefs, biased attitudes and personality characteristics.

CONSEQUENCES OF INTERGROUP

CONFLICTS

-Communication between groups become poor and do not trust each other.-Start magnifying their differences-Each side tries to increase its own power and legitimacy-There is hardening of ingroup opinion, explicit threats directed at the outgroup.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION STRATEGIES

-Introduction of super ordinate goals-Altering perceptions-Increasing intergroup contacts-Redrawing group boundaries-Negotiations-Structural solutions-Respect for other groups norms