Social Groups & Group Behaviour

* Social Groups &

Group Behaviour

*Characteristics of a Social Group Social Scientists define a social group as a group of two or more people who have four characteristics:

*They interact regularly and influence each other.

*They believe they have something in common (a shared identity).

*They have an informal or formal social structure with leaders and followers.

*They have a group consensus on certain values, behaviours, and goals.

*Characteristics of a Social Group *Social groups can have an informal (eg., friends) or formal (eg., political affiliations) structure

*Several people gathered together at the same time (eg. Class, bus stop…) do not form a social group. This collection of people is called an aggregate.

*3 Viewpoints on Social Groups *Anthropological View *Primates work in groups to protect and find scarce food sources

*Humans -

traced back to hunter-gather societies

*As humans progressed, groups extended to include various classes based on occupations

*Modern society - extended further – b/c technology

*3 Viewpoints on Social Groups *Sociological View *Focus on types of groups today and how they affect behaviour.

*2 groups: *Primary – small group with personal relationship (eg., family, peers)

*Secondary – impersonal, formal, temporary. Judged for what member can do more than who they are (eg., sport team)

*Sociological Aspects of a Social Group *Social groups have a powerful impact on our thinking and behaviour

*Within a social group there are: *Roles – beh. that individuals w/in a group are expected to perform

*Norms – guidelines for our beh. for our various roles *Sanctions – how the group rewards or punishes members in order to control their behaviour (eg., paycheque, grades)

*On the Sidewalk Bleeding

*Show Video

*On the Sidewalk Bleeding *Questions *What social groups existed in the story? *What role does Andy play in his social group? *What attitudes and behaviours did Andy’s as well as the other group present?

*What sanctions are placed on these groups that guide their behaviour?

*What were the attitudes of the passers by towards Andy’s social group?

*Why does Andy take off his jacket? *Why would Andy, or anyone else, want to join a social group such as a gang?

*3 Viewpoints on Social Groups *Psychological View *Focus on how an individual’s thoughts, feelings and actions are affected by groups

*Examine willingness to conform

*Conformity Is conformity the same as obedience? No! 1. Conformity occurs in the absence of a direct, observable command. 2. 2. Conformity is likely to be denied rather than used as an excuse for behaviour. 3. Conformity requires no authority figure.

*Psychological Factors Affecting Conformity *Four common factors that influence conformity: *Group Attractiveness – more attractive = more to conform. Less status w/in group = more likely to follow

*Group Unanimity – likely to conform when total agreement exists

*Public vs. Private Response -

people are more likely to conform than express unique opinions

*Nature of the Task – vague questions/tasks are easy to conform to – less likely to conform if a task/question is specific and factual

*Psychological Groupthink *Groupthink occurs when group members have such a strong desire to reach a consensus or agreement that the group loses its ability to critically examine alternatives

*Group members become so focused on the consensus answer, they no longer think of possible alternatives and defend the position they have taken when criticised by outsiders

Eight symptoms of groupthink: Illusion of invulnerability – promotes risk taking

Collective rationalization – don’t listen to warnings Belief in inherent morality – ignore ethical consequences because of perceived righteousness Stereotyped views of out-groups – stereotyping enemy as bad Direct pressure on dissenters – pressure to NOT question Self-censorship – do not express doubt

Illusion of unanimity – judgments are assumed to be unanimous. Self-appointed ‘mindguards’ – Members protect the group