Chapter Seven

• Group


  Two or more people who interact and influence each other and share a common objective
• In-group


  A group that an individual belongs to or identifies with
• Out-group


  A group that an individual does not belong to or identify with
• Norm


  A standard, value, or rule that outlines an appropriate behaviour or experience
• Social identity theory


  The tendency for people to favour their in-group over an out-group in order to enhance their sense of self-esteem
• Social loafing


  An individual’s reduction in effort when work is performed in a group as compared to individually, due to the belief that others will put in the effort
• Culture


  The customs, behaviours, and values of a particular group in society
• Individualist culture


  A culture that prioritises the needs and goals of individuals and values independence
• Collectivist culture


  A culture that prioritises the needs and goals of groups
• Obedience


  Complying with commands which are often given by a source of authority
• Conformity


  Adjusting one’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviours to match those of others, a social group, or a social situation
• Social norms


  Society’s unofficial rules and expectations regarding how individuals should act
• Groupthink


  A psychological phenomenon in which assumed group unanimity overrules individuals’ realistic appraisal of consequences
• Group shift


  A condition in which the influence of the group causes an individual to adopt a more extreme position
• Deindividuation


  The tendency for individuals to lose their sense of identity and individuality within a group
• Media


  The forms in which information is communicated and spread throughout society
• Social comparison


  A proposal that humans measure their self-worth in relation to the people around them, playing a significant role in mental wellbeing
• Addictive behaviours


  Behaviours that are associated with a dependence upon a particular stimulus, despite negative consequences
• Information access


  How easily information can be accessed by different people
• Independence


  Being free from the control or influence of others
• Self-determination


  Engaging in behaviours without the influence of other people as an external force
• Self-determination theory


  The concept that people achieve self-determination when three basic psychological needs are met: autonomy, competence, and relatedness
• Extrinsic motivation


  Engaging in activities or behaviours for their external benefits
• Intrinsic motivation


  Engaging in activities or behaviours for their internal benefits
• Autonomy (in relation to self-determination theory)


  The need to be able to act authentically, based on individual choice and intrinsic motivation
• Competence (in relation to self-determination theory)


  The need to feel as though you have the skills required to meaningfully carry out behaviours that affect your environment
• Relatedness (in relation to self-determination theory)


  The need to feel a sense of attachment, connection to, and belonging with other people
• Anti-conformity


  A deliberate refusal to comply with social norms or standards for thoughts, feelings, or behaviours
• Reactance


  A motivational state of distress and resistance, caused by a desire to regain personal freedom after it has been removed or threatened by external sources
• Individuation


  When an individual’s identity and contributions to a group are noticeable
• Social support (in relation to anti-conformity)

  When others hold a similar attitude or perspective to an individual
• Deviant subgroups


  Groups that hold values and norms that exist outside the dominant social norms in society