4.3 Psychology of Social Situations

Groupthink

• A psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.

• A method of decision-making that encourages diverse opinions and critical thinking.

• A strategy used by leaders to enforce conformity and suppress dissent.

• A technique for improving group communication and collaboration.

Halo Effect

• A cognitive bias where the perception of one positive trait influences the perception of other traits.

• A phenomenon where people are judged based on their appearance alone.

• A psychological effect where negative traits overshadow positive ones.

• A tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs.

Group Polarization

• The tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members.

• The phenomenon where group members become more moderate in their views after discussion.

• The process by which individuals in a group become more similar in their opinions over time.

• The tendency for groups to avoid conflict by suppressing dissenting viewpoints.

Multiculturalism

• The presence of, or support for the presence of, several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

• A policy of promoting the assimilation of different cultures into a single national culture.

• The belief that all cultures are equal and should be treated the same.

• A movement aimed at preserving the traditions of a single ethnic group.

Normative Social Influence

• A type of social influence that leads to conformity in order to be accepted or liked by a group.

• A form of influence that occurs when individuals change their behavior to match the expectations of others.

• An influence that results in individuals acting independently of group norms.

• A type of social influence that is based on the desire to be unique and different from others.

Social Facilitation

• The tendency for people to perform differently when in the presence of others than when alone.

• The ability to work better in isolation without distractions.

• The phenomenon where individuals become less productive in groups.

• The tendency to conform to group norms regardless of personal beliefs.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

• The scientific study of human behavior in organizations and the workplace.

• The study of industrial machinery and its impact on productivity.

• A branch of psychology focused on individual therapy and counseling.

• The analysis of economic factors affecting organizational behavior.

Social Loafing

• The tendency for individuals to work harder in a group than alone.

• The phenomenon of a person exerting less effort to achieve a goal when they work in a group than when they work alone.

• The behavior of individuals taking on more responsibility in a team setting.

• The practice of individuals collaborating to achieve a common goal more efficiently.

Altruism

• The belief in self-interest and personal gain.

• The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

• The practice of prioritizing one's own needs over others.

• The belief that helping others is a sign of weakness.

Peripheral Route to Persuasion

• A method of persuasion that involves the emotional appeal of the message.

• A method of persuasion that relies on the logical structure of the argument.

• A method of persuasion that involves other aspects of the message including the characteristics of the person imparting the message.

• A method of persuasion that focuses solely on the content of the message.