Segment 2:
 Group Behavior and Conflict

 Social Identity : The part of a person’s self-concept that is based on his or her identification with a nation/ethnic group/gender/social affiliation.
 Ethnic identity : A person’s identification with a racial/religious/ethnic group.
 Acculturation : Members of minority groups come to identify with/feel part of the mainstream culture.
 Ethnocentrism : Belief that one’s own ethnic group/nation/religion is superior.
 Stereotype : Person believes that all members of the group share a common trait/traits. ( Can be good, bad, or neutral )

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Researcher: Solomon Asch (1952)
Line Study
Confederate (n=6) and Participant (n=1)
Three lines: Which one is the same length?
Overall, subjects conformed on about 35% of the trials
2 factors influence the likelihood a person will conform-
Characteristics of the situation/Characteristics of the individual

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Size of the group :
 Likelihood of conformity increases until 4 confederates are present.
Degree of unanimity :
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Just one “ally” eases the pressure to conform.
Nature of task :
 When task is difficult, poorly defined, or ambiguous--higher conformity.
Likelihood to conform increases when one:
 Is attracted to the group.
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Expects future interaction with the group.
Has low status in the group.
Does not feel completely accepted.

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Foot-in-the-door effect
 Once people have granted a small request, they are more likely to comply with a larger request.
Lowball procedure
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First, one must be induced to agree to do something.
Then, the cost of compliance is raised.
Door-in-the-face effect
 A person initially refuses to grant a large request, but agrees to grant a smaller second request.

In close-knit groups, the tendency for all members to think alike for the sake of harmony and to suppress disagreement.
Symptoms of groupthink :
 Illusion of invulnerability
 Self-censorship ( Dissenters keep quite )
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Pressure on dissenters to conform
Illusion of unanimity ( consensus )
Examples :
 Challenger
 John F. Kennedy (Approved a plan to invade Cuba in the Bay of Pigs)

Diffusion of Responsibility : The tendency of members to avoid taking action because they assume that others will
Bystander Effect :
 Kitty Genovese : Stabbed to death while dozens of her neighbors listened and watched without calling for help.
Deindividuation : The loss of awareness of one’s own individuality. This can increase aggression, and violent behavior.

Factors that increase your likelihood of dissenting :
 Perceive the need for intervention or help.
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Situation increases the likelihood that you will take responsibility.
Cost-benefit ratio supports your decision to get involved.
You have an ally.
You become entrapped. ( Once begun you increase your commitment )

Jane Elliott ( Educator and anti-racism activist )
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Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. ()
Exercise exploring the nature of racism/prejudice.
Brown Eye-Blue Eye Experiment
 Eye of the Storm
 A Class Divided

I. Both sides must have:
 Equal legal status
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Economic opportunities
Power
II. Community must endorse egalitarian norms provide moral support and legitimacy for both sides:
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Both sides must have opportunities to work and socialize together.
Both sides must cooperate, working together for a common goal.
Robber’s Cave Experiment (Muzafer Sherif)
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Boy Scout Camp Study
Food Fight in the cafeteria
 Fixed the conflict-
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Bus stuck/truck won’t start
 Afterward they were friends again