Social Influence and Group Processes

Bit/Bits

Groups are different from other collections of people.

Mutual interdependence, roles, status, and expectations are the main characteristics of
groups.

Groups are organised systems of two or more individuals.

People join groups because they provide security, status, self-esteem, satisfaction
of ones psychological and social needs, goal achievement, and knowledge
and information.

Proximity, similarity, and common motives and goals facilitate group formation.

Generally, group work leads to beneficial results. However, sometimes in cohesive and
homogeneous groups, the phenomenon of groupthink may occur.
o Cohesive
o Homogenous
o Groupthink

Groups are of different types, i.e. primary and secondary, formal and informal,
and ingroup and outgroup.

Groups influence individual behaviour.

Two important influences of groups are:

o Social facilitation
o Social loafing

Three important forms of social influence:

o Conformity most indirect
o Compliance

o Obedience most direct

People interact in social situations by either cooperating or competing.

Ones self-definition of who s/he is referred to as social identity.

Group conflicts occur in all societies.

Group conflicts can be reduced if we know the causes of such conflicts.

Questions & Answers

1. How do you define a group?

A group may be defined as an organised system of two or more individuals, who
are interacting and interdependent, who have common motives, have a set of
role relationships among its members, and have norms that regulate the behaviour of
its members.
2. Discuss the salient characteristics of a group.
A social unit consisting of two or more individuals who perceive themselves as belonging
to the group. This characteristic of the group helps in distinguishing one group from
the other and gives the group its unique identity. A collection of individuals who
have common motives and goals. Groups function either working towards a given goal,
or away from certain threats facing the group. A collection of individuals who
are interdependent, i.e. what one is doing may have consequences for others. Suppose
one of the fielders in a cricket team drops an important catch during a match this will
have consequence for the entire team. Individuals who are trying to satisfy a need
through their joint association also influence each other. A group is a gathering of
individuals who interact with one another either directly or indirectly. Group is
a collection of individuals whose interactions are structured by a set of roles and norms.
This means that the group members perform the same functions every time the group
meets and the group members adhere to group norms. Norms tell us how we ought to
behave in the group and specify the behaviours expected from group members.
3. How is a group different from other collections of people?
A crowd is also a collection of people who may be present at a place/situation by chance.
An example of a crowd is a group of pedestrians who tend to collect around an accident
victim. There is neither any structure nor feeling of belonging in a crowd. Behavior of
people in crowds is irrational and there is no interdependence among members.
4. Why is belonging to a group important?
1. Groups would influence us positively and help us in becoming good citizens.
2. Not only do others influence us, but we, as individuals, are also capable of
changing others and the society.

3. The benefits of cooperation and competition and how they influence our
personal and social lives will also be examined.
4. We will also see how identity develops how we come to know ourselves.
5. We would try to understand why group conflicts arise;
6. We can examine the perils of group conflict and apprise ourselves of various
conflict resolution strategies so that we are able to contribute towards making a
harmonious and cohesive society.
7. Situation Think about your day-to-day life and the various social interactions
you have. In the morning, before going to school, you interact with your
family members; in school, you discuss topics and issues with your teachers
and classmates; and after school you phone up, visit or play with your friends. In
each of these instances, you are part of a group which not only provides you the
needed support and comfort but also facilitates your growth and development as
an individual. Have you ever been away to a place where you were without your
family, school, and friends? How did you feel? Did you feel there was something
vital missing in your life? Our lives are influenced by the nature of group
membership we have.
5. Why Do People Join Groups?
All of you are members of your family, class and groups with which you interact or play.
Similarly, other people are also members of a number of groups at any given time.
Different groups satisfy different needs, and therefore, we are simultaneously members of
different groups. This sometimes creates pressures for us because there may be
competing demands and expectations. Most often we are able to handle these
competing demands and expectations. People join groups because these groups satisfy
a range of needs. In general, people join groups for the following reasons:
o Security : When we are alone, we feel insecure. Groups reduce this insecurity.
Being with people gives a sense of comfort, and protection. As a result, people
feel stronger, and are less vulnerable to threats.
o Status : When we are members of a group that is perceived to be important by
others, we feel recognised and experience a sense of power. Suppose your school
wins in an interinstitutional debate competition, you feel proud and think that you
are better than others.
o Self-esteem : Groups provide feelings of self-worth and establish a positive
social identity. Being a member of prestigious groups enhances ones selfconcept.

o Satisfaction of ones psychological and social needs : Groups satisfy

ones social and psychological needs such as sense of belonging, giving
and receiving attention, love, and power through a group.
o Goal achievement : Groups help in achieving such goals which cannot
be attained individually. There is power in the majority.
o Provide knowledge and information : Group membership provides
knowledge and information and thus broadens our view. As individuals, we may
not have all the required information. Groups supplement this information
and knowledge.
2

How are groups formed?

Basic to group formation is some contact and some form of interaction between people.
This interaction is facilitated by the following conditions:
o Proximity/Closeness : Just think about your group of friends. Would you have
been friends if you were not living in the same colony, or going to the
same school, or may be playing in the same playground? Probably your
answer would be No. Repeated interactions with the same set of individuals give
us a chance to know them, and their interests and attitudes. Common interests,
attitudes, and background are important determinants of your liking for your
group members.
o Similarity : Being exposed to someone over a period of time makes us assess our
similarities and paves the way for formation of groups. Why do we like people
who are similar? Psychologists have given several explanations for this. One
explanation is that people prefer consistency and like relationships that are
consistent. When two people are similar, there is consistency and they start liking
each other. For example, you like playing football and another person in your
class also loves playing football; there is a matching of your interests. There are
higher chances that you may become friends. Another explanation given by
psychologists is that when we meet similar people, they reinforce and validate our
opinions and values, we feel we are right and thus we start liking them. Suppose
you are of the opinion that too much watching of television is not good, because it
shows too much violence. You meet someone who also has similar views.
This validates your opinion, and you start liking the person who was
instrumental in validating your opinion.
o Common motives and goals : When people have common motives or goals, they
get together and form a group which may facilitate their goal attainment. Suppose
you want to teach children in a slum area who are unable to go to school. You
cannot do this alone because you have your own studies and homework. You,
therefore, form a group of like-minded friends and start teaching these children.
So you have been able to achieve what you could not have done alone.

What are the stages of Group Formation?

Remember that, like everything else in life, groups develop. You do not become a group
member the moment you come together. Groups usually go through different stages of
formation, conflict, stabilisation, performance, and dismissal. Tuckman suggested that
groups pass through five developmental sequences. These are: forming, storming,
norming, performing and adjourning.
o When group members first meet, there is a great deal of uncertainty about
the group, the goal, and how it is to be achieved. People try to know each
other and assess whether they will fit in. There is excitement as well
as apprehensions. This stage is called the forming stage.
o Often, after this stage, there is a stage of intragroup conflict which is referred to as
storming. In this stage, there is conflict among members about how the target of
the group is to be achieved, who is to control the group and its resources, and who
is to perform what task. When this stage is complete, some sort of hierarchy of
leadership in the group develops and a clear vision as to how to achieve the group
goal.
o The storming stage is followed by another stage known as norming. Group
members by this time develop norms related to group behaviour. This leads to
development of a positive group identity.
o The fourth stage is performing. By this time, the structure of the group
has evolved and is accepted by group members. The group moves
towards achieving the group goal. For some groups, this may be the last stage
of group development. However, for some groups, for example, in the case of an
organising committee for a school function, there may be another stage known as
adjourning stage. In this stage, once the function is over, the group may be
disbanded. However, it must be stated that all groups do not always proceed from
one stage to the next in such a systematic manner. Sometimes several stages go
on simultaneously, while in other instances groups may go back and forth through
the various stages or they may just skip some of the stages. During the process of
group formation, groups also develop a structure. We should remember that group
structure develops as members interact. Over time this interaction shows
regularities in distribution of task to be performed, responsibilities assigned to
members, and the prestige or relative status of members.

What are the four important elements of group structure?

1. Roles Roles are socially defined expectations that individuals in a given
situation are expected to fulfil. Roles refer to the typical behaviour that depicts a
person in a given social context. You have the role of a son or a daughter and with
this role, there are certain role expectations, i.e. including the behaviour expected
of someone in a particular role. As a daughter or a son, you are expected
to respect elders, listen to them, and be responsible towards your studies.

2. Norms Norms are expected standards of behaviour and beliefs

established, agreed upon, and enforced by group members. They may be
considered as a groups unspoken rules. In your family, there are norms that
guide the behaviour of family members. These norms represent shared ways
of viewing the world.
3. Status Status refers to the relative social position given to group members
by others. This relative position or status may be either ascribed (given may
be because of ones seniority) or achieved (the person has achieved status because
of expertise or hard work). By being members of the group, we enjoy the status
associated with that group. All of us, therefore, strive to be members of such
groups which are high in status or are viewed favourably by others. Even within a
group, different members have different prestige and status. For example,
the captain of a cricket team has a higher status compared to the other
members, although all are equally important for the teams success.
4. Cohesiveness Cohesiveness refers to togetherness, binding, or mutual attraction
among group members. As the group becomes more cohesive, group members
start to think, feel and act as a social unit, and less like isolated individuals.
Members of a highly cohesive group have a greater desire to remain in the group
in comparison to those who belong to low cohesive groups. Cohesiveness refers
to the team spirit or we feeling or a sense of belongingness to the group. It
is difficult to leave a cohesive group or to gain membership of a group which
is highly cohesive. Extreme cohesiveness however, may sometimes not be in
a groups interest. Psychologists have identified the phenomenon of groupthink
(see Box 7.1) which is a consequence of extreme cohesiveness.
2

What are the types of groups?

Groups differ in many respects; some have a large number of members (e.g., a country),
some are small (e.g., a family), some are short-lived (e.g., a committee), some remain
together for many years (e.g., religious groups), some are highly organised (e.g., army,
police, etc.), and others are informally organised (e.g., spectators of a match). People may
belong to different types of group. Major types of groups are enumerated below:
1. Primary and secondary groups
1. Primary groups are pre-existing formations which are usually given to the
individual.
2. Family, caste, and religion are primary groups whereas membership of a
political party is an example of a secondary group.
3. In primary group, there is a face-to-face interaction, members have close
physical proximity, and they share warm emotional bonds.

4. Primary groups are central to individuals functioning and have a

very major role in developing values and ideals of the individual during
the early stages of development.
5. In the primary group, boundaries are less permeable, i.e. members do not
have the option to choose its membership.
6. Secondary groups are those which the individual joins by choice.
7. Here relationships among members are more impersonal, indirect, and less
frequent.
8. Secondary groups where it is easy to leave and join another group.
2. Formal and Informal Groups
1. Formal groups differ in the degree to which the functions of the group are
stated explicitly and formally.
2. The functions of a formal group are explicitly stated as in the case of an
office organisation.
3. The formation of formal groups is based on some specific rules or laws
and members have definite roles.
4. There are a set of norms which help in establishing order. A university is
an example of a formal group.
5. The roles to be performed by group members are stated in an explicit
manner.
6. The formation of informal groups is not based on rules or laws and there is
close relationship among members.