Social Influence and Group Processes - Class 12 Psychology - Chapter 7 - Notes, NCERT Solutions & Extra Questions
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Extra Questions - Social Influence and Group Processes | NCERT | Psychology | Class 12
Every individual is first influenced by their ________, which in turn is influenced by __________.
A) society
B) organisation
C) family
D) association
The correct answer is:
Family
Society
The family is the primary group with which an individual first interacts, and it significantly influences personal development. This family unit itself is a smaller part of the broader society. The societal constructs and values prevalent in our community profoundly affect both individual families and consequently, the individuals within them. Thus, societal norms and values play a critical role in shaping our behaviors from a young age.
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Compare and contrast formal and informal groups, and ingroups and outgroups.
Formal and Informal Groups
Formal Groups
Definition: Formal groups are defined by explicitly stated functions and roles. Their existence is often institutionally sanctioned.
Structure: They possess a defined structure with specified roles for the members, and they often operate under a set of expressly stated norms and regulations.
Example: A university or an organized workplace.
Informal Groups
Definition: Informal groups are not structured based on formal laws and may start from casual interactions.
Structure: These groups lack formal hierarchies and roles are often less explicitly defined. The connections between members are usually based on personal relationships or shared interests rather than formal designations.
Example: A group of friends or colleagues gathering informally.
Ingroups and Outgroups
Ingroups
Definition: An ingroup is a social group to which a person psychologically identifies as being a member. It is "us" or "our group".
Characteristics: Members typically view others within the ingroup as similar to themselves in key respects and hold positive attitudes or favoritism towards them.
Example: A sports team you belong to or a club where you are a member.
Outgroups
Definition: An outgroup is any group you do not belong to or identify with. It is "them".
Characteristics: Outgroups are often perceived as different or separate, and there can be a general tendency to view them in a less favorable light.
Example: Another nation's sports team or a club you are not a part of.
Comparison:
Formal and informal groups differ mainly in their structure and formation: formal groups are organizational and rule-bound while informal groups are more relaxed and spontaneously formed.
Ingroups and outgroups involve psychological perspectives of membership and exclusion, respectively, influencing how we perceive and interact with members of our groups versus those outside these groups.
Are you a member of a certain group? Discuss what motivated you to join that group.
I’m a fervent member of a local community group dedicated to educating the children of domestic helps in our colony. My primary motivation for associating with this group was the realization that education is a fundamental right and shouldn't be confined by socio-economic boundaries.
I strongly felt that it was necessary to give them an equal chance at education, which could be a stepping stone to better opportunities in their future. Large numbers of these children tend to miss out on formal education because their parents, finding it difficult to make ends meet, aren't able to prioritize this aspect.
Seeing these children grow, learn, and dream, is an immensely rewarding experience. Besides, helping them gain knowledge and skills gives me a sense of accomplishment, as I've played a small part in fostering their dreams, potentially altering the course of their lives. It's a strong motivation for me to remain a part of this group and continue contributing to this noble cause.
How does Tuckman's stage model help you to understand the formation of groups?
Tuckman's stage model elucidates the developmental stages that groups typically undergo, facilitating a deeper understanding of group dynamics and aiding in the management and nurturing of group processes. Here’s how Tuckman’s model helps in understanding group formation:
Forming Stage: This initial stage is marked by uncertainty and excitement. Members are cautious and polite, figuring out how they fit in. Understanding this phase helps in recognizing the importance of making members feel welcomed and clarifying the group’s goals.
Storming Stage: Here, conflicts emerge as members express clashing opinions and vie for status in the group. Recognizing this stage is crucial because it highlights the need for effective conflict resolution strategies and the establishment of a clear hierarchy to progress productively.
Norming Stage: Following some turbulence, group members develop shared norms. This stage underlines the importance of consensus and cohesion, guiding leaders to foster agreement on group norms and values, which enhances collaboration.
Performing Stage: With structure and norms firmly established, the group’s focus shifts to achieving its objectives. This phase underscores effective teamwork and operational efficiency, demonstrating the need for leadership to focus on enabling the group to perform tasks effectively.
Adjourning Stage: This final stage involves the dissolution of the group post-achievement of its goals. Understanding this phase helps in appreciating the transitory nature of some groups and ensures proper closure and reflection, which can be important for the psychological well-being of members.
By detailing these stages, Tuckman’s model provides a framework that helps in predicting challenges and behaviors at various stages, ultimately facilitating smoother transitions and more effective group management. It makes leaders and members aware of the natural progression of groups and equips them with strategies to foster group development and achieve collective success.
How do groups influence our behaviour?
Groups significantly affect individual behavior in multiple ways as outlined in the chapter. Here are the key influences:
Social Facilitation: The presence of others generally enhances performance on simple or well-learned tasks but can worsen performance on tasks that are less familiar or complex.
Social Loafing: When individuals work in a group towards a common task, there is a tendency for individual effort to decrease as compared to when they work alone.
Group Polarisation: Group discussions tend to make groups more extreme in their views. If individuals in a group have similar initial attitudes, these attitudes are likely to be intensified as a result of group interaction.
Groupthink: A phenomenon where the desire for group cohesion leads to poor decision-making. Groups affected by groupthink tend to minimize conflict, suppress dissent, and adopt less creative solutions.
Norms and Roles: Groups have specific norms and roles that members are expected to adhere to, which can significantly shape members' behaviors and expectations.
The influence of groups on individual behavior underscores both positive elements (such as improved performance and cooperation) and negative aspects (like reduced individual accountability and pressure to conform), which demonstrates the complex role of social groups in behavioral psychology.
How can you reduce social loafing in groups? Think of any two incidents of social loafing in school. How did you overcome it? of that period. Evaluate the reviews of the matches and comments made by Indian and rival commentators. Do you see any difference between the comments?
Social loafing can be reduced by implementing the following strategies:
Making Individual Efforts Identifiable: Ensure that each group member's contribution can be recognized and measured. This inhibits loafing because individuals know their output is being observed.
Increasing Task Significance: Emphasize the importance of the task at hand. When group members believe that the task is valuable and meaningful, they are more likely to put in more effort.
Enhancing Group Cohesiveness: Strengthen the bonds among the group members. When individuals feel a sense of belonging and identity with the group, they are more compelled to contribute actively.
Setting Clear Expectations and Goals: Define clear, challenging, and attainable group goals. When goals are set, individuals are more focused and driven to contribute towards achieving them.
Ensuring Task Interdependence: Design tasks in such a way that the group members are interdependent. This structure makes it difficult for individuals to ride on the efforts of others.
Incidents of Social Loafing and Overcoming Them
Incident 1: Group Projects at School
Situation: In a history group project, one member was contributing significantly less, assuming others would cover the workload.
Solution: The group decided to outline specific tasks for each member with deadlines. Regular check-ins were scheduled to assess everyone's progress, which made the loafing member more accountable and boosted his participation.
Incident 2: School Sports Team Practice
Situation: During basketball team practices, a couple of team members were not actively participating, affecting the team's overall performance.
Solution: The coach introduced individual performance tracking and set personal targets for each player. Recognizing that their efforts were individually evaluated, the players started contributing more earnestly during practices.
Analysis of Sports Commentators
The question regarding the evaluation of match reviews and differences in comments by Indian and rival commentators is not covered in the provided book chapter. However, typically, commentators from different regions may display bias towards their home teams or may have different styles based on cultural nuances in expressing support or criticism.
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Comprehensive Notes on Social Influence and Group Processes for Class 12
Introduction to Social Influence and Group Processes
Understanding how groups influence individual behaviour is central to social psychology. This article explores the concepts of social influence and group dynamics, examining how our affiliations shape us and how we, in turn, shape our social environments.
Nature and Formation of Groups
Defining a Group
A group is more than a simple collection of individuals. It is an organised system where members interact and are interdependent, sharing common goals and norms. Groups stand out from other collections of individuals, such as crowds or audiences, by their internal interdependence, roles, status, and mutual expectations.
Characteristics of Groups
- Perceived Belongingness: Members see themselves as part of the group.
- Common Goals: Groups work toward shared objectives.
- Interdependence: Members' actions affect one another.
- Roles and Norms: Defined roles and norms guide member behaviour.
Why Do People Join Groups?
People join groups for a variety of reasons:
- Security: Groups provide safety and reduce feelings of insecurity.
- Status: Membership in respected groups can enhance one's social recognition.
- Self-esteem: Groups offer a sense of self-worth.
- Psychological and Social Needs: Groups fulfil needs for belonging, attention, and love.
- Goal Achievement: Groups can accomplish tasks that individuals cannot.
- Knowledge and Information: Groups broaden perspectives and knowledge.
Stages of Group Formation
Groups evolve through several stages, as proposed by Tuckman. These stages outline the development of group dynamics over time.
Forming
At this initial stage, members are uncertain about their roles and goals. They try to understand each other and establish whether they fit within the group.
Storming
This stage is marked by conflicts over control, resource allocation, and task distribution. The group sorts out its hierarchy and approach to achieve its goals.
Norming
By this stage, members develop norms and a positive group identity, facilitating smoother interactions.
Performing
The group works together towards achieving its goals. The structure and roles are well-established, and the group functions effectively.
Adjourning
For temporary groups, this stage involves disbanding after achieving their purpose, such as an organising committee for an event.
Types of Groups
Primary vs. Secondary Groups
- Primary Groups: Pre-existing, intimate, and personal, such as family.
- Secondary Groups: Chosen affiliations, more impersonal, like political parties.
Formal vs. Informal Groups
- Formal Groups: Defined by explicit roles and norms, like a university.
- Informal Groups: Developed organically based on personal relationships.
Ingroup vs. Outgroup
- Ingroup: Groups we belong to and identify with.
- Outgroup: Groups we do not belong to and may view differently.
Influence of Groups on Individual Behaviour
Social Facilitation
The presence of others can enhance an individual’s performance on tasks they are already good at. This is called social facilitation.
Social Loafing
When individuals work in groups, they may exert less effort than they would alone, a phenomenon known as social loafing. This occurs because individual contributions are pooled, leading to diffusion of responsibility. Strategies to reduce social loafing include:
- Identifying individual contributions.
- Increasing task importance.
- Enhancing group cohesion.
Group Polarisation
Groups often make more extreme decisions compared to individuals. This tendency, known as group polarisation, occurs because group discussions amplify initial tendencies. Members hear stronger supporting arguments (newer reasons) and perceive their positions as validated by like-minded individuals, leading to more extreme stances.
Phenomena in Group Dynamics
Groupthink
Groupthink occurs when a group’s desire for unanimity overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives. It can lead to poor decision-making and is characterised by self-censorship and illusion of invulnerability. Preventing groupthink involves encouraging critical thinking and outside evaluations.
The Minimal Group Paradigm Experiments
Tajfel’s experiments showed that even minimal group criteria (like preferences for paintings) could lead to in-group favouritism. This underlines the human tendency to form and favour in-groups.
Key Concepts in Social Influence and Group Processes
Roles and Norms
Roles and norms structure group interactions and behaviours, ensuring coherence and predictability within the group.
Status within Groups
Status refers to the prestige or relative social position within the group, influencing the dynamics of interaction and influence.
Cohesiveness
Cohesiveness is the degree of attraction among group members. High cohesiveness leads to stronger unity but can sometimes result in groupthink if unchecked.
Conclusion
Understanding group processes and social influence helps in navigating and improving group-related activities. Positive group dynamics can lead to fulfilling personal needs and achieving collective goals more effectively.
This article elaborates on these concepts to provide a solid foundation for understanding social influence and group processes, aiding both academic and practical comprehension.
flowchart TD
A[Forming] --> B[Storming]
B --> C[Norming]
C --> D[Performing]
D --> E[Adjourning]
E --> A
subgraph Stages of Group Formation
A
B
C
D
E
end
Ensure to utilise these insights in your studies and daily interactions to better comprehend the influence of groups on individual behaviour and societal outcomes.
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