When you are given a group assignment, do you work harder or less hard than you would alone? Why? Does the research on group productivity, social loafing, group polarization, and groupthink support your prediction?
What will be an ideal response?
Good answers will point out that studies show that productivity decreases as group size increases. This is believed to be due to two factors: loss of efficiency resulting from a loss of coordination of effort and social loafing. Social loafing is a reduction in effort by individuals when they work in groups as compared to when they work alone.
The answer should also discuss how decision-making processes can be influenced by groups as well group polarization and the factors that influence the development of groupthink. Group polarization occurs when group discussion strengthens a group's dominant point of view and produces a shift toward a more extreme decision in that direction. Groupthink occurs when members of a cohesive group emphasize concurrence at the expense of critical thinking in arriving at a decision. Research indicates that cohesiveness (strength of the relationships linking group members) is a significant contributor to groupthink. It is facilitated by a strong group leader, the discrediting of information that contradicts the group's decision, conformity, and viewing the outgroup as the enemy. Flawed decisions are frequently made as a result of groupthink.
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A researcher is measuring the amount of time needed to solve a set of anagrams for a sample of n = 15 students. However, one of the participants fails to solve the problems so the researcher has an undetermined score. What is the best measure of central tendency for these data?
a. The mean b. The median c. The mode d. Central tendency cannot be determined for these data
Which of the following is true about being left-handed?
a. You are more likely to be female. b. It has been encouraged and even promoted throughout time. c. It is associated with reduced creativity. d. None of these are accurate.
In Pavlov's original experiment of classical conditioning, dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell when the bell was repeatedly paired with the presentation of food. The food is referred to as the unconditioned response
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
The increase in the number of children in the United States diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder may be due to a(n)__________
a. increase in the numbers of vaccinations given b. increase in the amount of food dyes and food additives c. decrease in the numbers of cases of Asperger's disorder and other milder forms of autism spectrum disorder d. increase in the numbers of cases of Asperger's disorder and other milder forms of autism spectrum disorder