Group Dynamics
Define pluralistic ignorance.
The phenomenon in which each individual in a group privately believes something is wrong but assumes that others’ calm behavior means no action is needed.
What is the most influential framework for understanding why we help others, even when it comes at a cost to ourselves?
The empathy-altruism hypothesis
Does alcohol increase aggression?
No. More accurately, it weakens the cognitive and social barriers that usually keep aggressive impulses in check
What does the "matching hypothesis" state regarding formation of relationships?
People seek partners with attractiveness similar to their own
True or false: intergroup bias requires rich cultural narratives or long learning histories in order to exist.
False. Minimal, arbitrary cues to group membership such as preference for one painting over another are enough to foster intergroup bias.
What are two proposed emotional responses to witnessing others' distress?
Empathic concern, personal distress
What is the relationship between testosterone and aggression?
Testosterone is positively correlated with aggression but does not cause it. It appears to sensitize behavior to status challenges, amplifying approach-oriented, dominance-seeking responses that can manifest as aggression.
Two different third-grade classes at an elementary school are constantly fighting during recess. The principal decides to foster better relations between the groups by throwing a pizza party where they can mingle and get to know each other. What is the expected outcome of this intervention?
This is likely not enough to fix the conflict between the two classes. As seen in the Robbers Cave experiment, passive activities such as this tend to be ineffective at resolving intergroup conflict. Rather, the principal should assign the two classes to achieve a superordinate goal that would bring them together.
According to Zajonc's theory of social facilitation, will an experienced singer perform better in front of an audience or when rehearsing by herself?
She will likely perform better in front of an audience because she is an experienced singer. This means her dominant response is to sing well, and according to Zajonc, the arousal of an audience watching will enhance that dominant response.
Which factors were manipulated by researchers in the "Elaine" experiment?
Ease of escape and similarity to Elaine
What are some of the adaptive roots of aggression?
Aggression can enhance access to resources, help parents protect their young, and support survival in times of intergroup conflict.
True or false: high stress or time pressure that favors quick decision-making over careful analysis is a risk factor for groupthink.
True; prioritizing a fast decision over careful deliberation often leads to groupthink.
What is a key distinction between social loafing and deindividuation?
Social loafing involves a reduction in individual output on tasks where contributions are pooled, while deindividuation is the loss of individual identity and self-awareness in a group setting.
Julia sees someone fall off their bike and feels terrible for them because she experienced an awful bike accident once. Sophie witnesses the same event while passing by with her boss and knows that helping the person who fell will reflect well on her character. What is the expected difference between their respective helping behaviors?
There likely will not be a difference between their helping behaviors. Even though Julia seems to be motivated by empathic concern and Sophie seems to be motivated for egotistical reasons, the empathy-altruism hypothesis holds that their helping behaviors will likely look the same.
What did the Bobo Doll experiment reveal about aggression?
Much of aggressive behavior is learned socially, and exposure to aggressive models not only activates imitation but can also inspire extensions of violence.
What is the identifiable victim effect?
People are far more motivated to help a single, vividly described person than to support an abstract group conveyed through statistics
Name 2 solutions to prevent groupthink.
Leader neutrality regarding preferences, structured dissent, outside input, clear procedures
In the Elaine experiment, what was the main difference between how participants in the high empathy vs. low empathy conditions behaved?
High-empathy participants helped Elaine regardless of ease of escape, while low-empathy participants were likelier to help Elaine if ease of escape was lower.
Serotonin seems to decrease aggression, particularly in those with higher aggressive tendencies, so that group will demonstrate lower intensity. However, those with lower baseline aggression will not show much of a difference whether they have been injected with serotonin or not.
Name 3 advantages of the computational approach to relationship science
Transparency, precise predictions, rigorous tests, applicable at scale