8.2

• conformity occurs in situations in which individuals change their behaviour as a result of real or implied pressure from others
• normative influence - our likelihood to conform is influenced by the establihshed behvaiour of the group
• informational influence - we look at the behaviour of others to guide us in whether we should behave in similar ways
• unanimity - we are more likely to conform when other members of gorup behave the same way
• group size - our conformity increases as the group expands from 2 to 4 then stays at similar levels of conformity in a group of 8
• deindividuation - when we are in a large group, our behaviour can be influenced by a sense of anonymity, and this can lead us to behave in a way that we never would have alone
• groupthink occurs when the members of a group prioritise the strong bonds of the group over clear decision making
• invulnerability - feeling unable to feel harmed
• rationale - rationalising reasons for a course of action
• morality - distinguishing between right or wrong
• stereotypes - applying widely helf views about group
• pressure - using persuasion and coercion
• self censorship - remaining quiet to avoid criticism
• unanimity - expecting agreement by all group members
• mind guards - filtering out negative infmoration
• preventing group think - leader not sharing opinion about topic before the groupwork starts
• preventing group think - group inviting experts to attend meetings and critically evaluate the groups work
• group shift is the tendency for group members discussing an issue or dilemma to adopt a more extreme position than their indiviual position before the discussion
• risky shift - group demonstrates less caution than the individual members would have if acting alone
• catious shift - group suggests an even safer approach than an individual would have if acting alone
• causes of group shift -groups tend to make more extreme decisions than individuals

  • social comparison theory
  • persuasive argument theory
  • social decision schemas
• social comparison theory proposes that the tendency to evaluate or compare oursleves to other influences our self-image and wellbeing
• persuasiv argument theory proposes that when a group disucsses a moral dillemma, members will offer a number of arguments for and against.

  • if they favour a certain approach, the number of arguments they offer that support that approach will outweigh the number of arguments against that approach
• social decision schemas are strategies used by groups to select one approach from various approach options

  • majority vote