Resistance & Group Processes

• What is reactance according to Brehm (1966)?

  A motivational reaction against perceived threats
• How does reactance affect personal freedom?

  It motivates rebellion against perceived limitations
• What is an example of reactance in action?

  Prohibiting mobile phones in school
• What is reverse psychology used for?

  To prevent the occurrence of reactance
• What are the three main factors leading to reactance?

  Reactance, forewarning, selective avoidance
• How does forewarning affect persuasion attempts?

  It allows time to formulate counterarguments
• What is a better approach than warning teenagers about mobile use while driving?

  Invite them to a talk on driving tips
• What is selective avoidance?

  Ignoring advice that challenges existing views
• What is an example of ineffective health messaging?


  ‘Smoking damages health’
• What did Gamson et al (1982) study focus on?

  The phenomenon of rebellion in groups
• What was the scenario in Gamson et al's study?

  Mr. C lost his franchise for 'living in sin'
• What was the outcome of the participants in Gamson et al's study?

  Most groups showed rebellion against signing
• How does Gamson et al's research relate to Milgram's study?

  Obedience drops with support from others
• What is the Ringelmann Effect?


  Reduced effort in groups compared to alone
• What did Ringelmann (1913) study focus on?

  Rope pulling and group effort
• What term did Latane, Williams & Harkin (1979) coin?

  Social loafing
• What does Social Impact Theory explain?

  Responsibility diffuses as group size increases
• How can social loafing be prevented?

  Make individual contributions identifiable
• What are the strengths and limitations of social loafing research?

  Strengths:

  • Occurs in both genders
  • Observed in children and adults
  • Found in various working conditions

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Cultural variations exist
  • Some cultures are less prone to social loafing
• What is decision making?

  Combining information to choose an action
• What did Stoner (1961) find about group decisions?

  Groups tend to make riskier choices
• What is an example of group polarization?

  Moderate beliefs becoming extreme after discussion
• What are the three reasons for group polarization according to Passer et al (2009)?

  Normative influence, informational influence, compliance
• What did McCauley et al (1973) study about gamblers?

  Group gamblers prefer safe bets
• What is 'Group Think' according to Janis (1982)?

  Desire for unanimous agreement overrides rationality
• What are some causes of Group Think?

  Cohesiveness, isolation, directive leadership
• What is a famous example of bad group decision making?

  Pearl Harbour (1941)
• What roles do leaders fill in a group?

  Represent norms and steer change
• What makes a good leader according to the study?

  Gradually introducing new ideas while conforming
• How should leadership be contextualized in research?

  • Laboratory findings may differ in real-world
  • Context affects leadership effectiveness
  • Importance of situational factors