Group Dynamics -- Notes from presentations

What are limits and criticisms of group think?

- As a theory it is prescriptive and not helpful in predicting. (Groupthink theory is used in retrospect) - no real "lab" experiments. Research done from historical events. - Group cohesion doesn't always lead to bad group decisions. Often it actually helps groups be more effective. -When groups have successful outcomes, people call it synergy. When negative, people call it groupthink.

Limits of Normative model of decision making:

- Assumes rational human behavior

What can prevent groupthink?

- Correction of misperceptions and biases -Effective decision making norms/structures - limit premature consensus or decision making. (dont try to come to a vote or decision too early)

What causes Social Facilitation theory?

- Drive (challenge, threat, arousal) - Comparison: (concern about evaluation or self presentation) - Effects of audience on cognitive process: sounds, distractions, attention conflicts etc

Why do larger groups tend to be less efficient?

- Motivation losses:people don't work as hard in groups -Coordination losses: lack of simultaneity in efforts/differences in effort levels -A study showed that in teams, the larger groups are, the more social loafing.

Obstacles or limits to brianstorming

- Social loafing - Free Riding - Production blocking - Evaluation apprehension (afraid of ideas being judged) - Social Matching Effect (being affected by other ideas in group) - Illusion of Group Productivity

What are some examples of groupthink?

- Space shuttle challenger failure: (Pressures from deadlines, media attention led to censorship of concerns about ship malfunction.) - Bay of pigs invasion: failed invasion of Cuba/assassination attempt. President Kennedy did not allow for much discussion, group overestimated its own ability. No transparent communication.

How can you avoid group polarization?

- diverse group - encourage discussion and allow minority views - survey similar groups -play devils advocate

Why does group polarization happen?

- social comparison: members comparing themselves to others in the group and shifting their views accordingly. - persuasive arguments: groups generate more arguments that support their views - social identity: people are persuaded not by content of argument, but by consensus of the group.

What are limitations of social facilitation theory?

- theory assumes individuals are strangers - lack of specificity about physical environment (time or context) and its effects

What are some symptoms and behaviors of groupthink?

-Abiliene paradox - The counterintuitive tendency for a group to decide on a course of action that none of the members of the group individually endorses, resulting from the group's failure to recognize and manage its agreement on key issues. -censorship (self or otherwise) - peer pressure - mind guards: people who keep new information from being considered or presented to group - Pluralistic ignorance: When members of a group hold a wide range of opinions, beliefs, or judgments but express similar opinions publicly because each member believes that his or her personal view is different from that of the others in the group

What is the relationship between anxiety and brainstorming?

-Productivity ↑ when social anxiety ↓ - Evidence is only from in person interactive groups - Social avoidance overrides production

4 rules of effective brainstorming

1. Be expressive 2. Postpone evaluation 3. Seek quantity 4. Piggyback ideas

Brainstorming

A method for enhancing creativity in groups that calls for heightened expressiveness, postponed evaluation, quantity rather than quality, and deliberate attempts to build on earlier ideas.

What is Victor Broom's Normative Model of Decision Making?

A theory of decision making and leadership that predicts the effectiveness of group-centered, consultative, and autocratic decisional procedures across a number of group settings

What is Robert Baron's Ubiquity Model?

An alternative to groupthink: A group's tendency to strive for consensus and thus limit dissent and misjudge their own groups competence. These characteristics only lead to problems when: 1) threat to a shared social identity that may result if group fails, 2) group must have set up norms that constrain members' opinions about topic under discussion 3) group members lack self confidence

What are 5 main leadership models according to Normative Model of Decision making?

Autocratic: - Type 1: leader makes decision alone with info they have - Type 2: leader makes decision alone after collecting info from members independently. Decision may or may not incorporate feedback from members. Consultative: - Type 1: leader shares problem with members individually, but ultimately makes decision alone. Feedback from members may or may not be used. - Type 2: Leader shares problem to members in a group setting. Discussion is held. Leader makes decision. Group based type 2: - leader discusses problem with members as a group. Leader accepts decision held by group.

What is free riding?

Contributing less to the task because other group members will pick up their slack (Forsyth, 2009) One group member contributing less to the task because they know other group members will pick up their slack.

What is some evidence for group polarization ?

Main and Walker (1973) -- analyzed decisions of federal district court judges sitting either alone or in groups of three to see if group discussion were a factor to ultimate decision.

What is group think?

Members strive for cohesion over critical analysis, evaluation, discussion of alternative options. Caused by 1) high group cohesiveness 2) Structural faults 3) Situational context

Limitations of group polarization theory?

Polarization is affected by groups prior knowledge to what is being discussed not always clear if group shift is due to a minority or majority view.

What is social loafing?

Reduction of individual effort exerted when people work in groups compared to when they work alone (mentally and physically)

What is the sucker effect?

Sucker effect: Contributing less when believing that working too hard will been seen negatively

What is social facilitation theory?

Tendency for people to perform differently in the presence of others than when they are alone - Better/faster on simple tasks - Poorly on complex tasks Also referred to as "audience effect"

What is some evidence of social facilitation theory?

Triplett, 1897: - Compared speed of cyclists when racing alone, paced by a clock, and racing against another cyclist Allport, 1920 - Found that people perform differently in the presence of others Controlled for effects of competition

What is group polarization?

tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members. Normally occurs when group has similar beliefs to begin with.