Question

Explain the two mechanisms that explain how the psychological presence of others in our thoughts influence our behaviour.

Short answer

The presence of others influences our behavior through Social Facilitation, making us perform better on tasks we're good at and potentially worse on complex tasks; and Social Norms, whereby we conform to the group's expectations to gain acceptance or approval.

Step-by-step solution

Social Facilitation

Explain Social Facilitation: When we are aware that we are being watched by others, our performance tends to improve on simple or well-learned tasks because the presence of others increases physiological arousal. This awareness enhances our ability to perform things we're already good at but may hinder our performance on complex or new tasks.

Social Norms

Explain Social Norms: The implied or explicit rules a group has for the acceptable behaviors, values, and beliefs of its members also influence our behavior. Knowing that others have certain expectations can lead us to adjust our behavior to align with these norms. We consider these norms in our thoughts and sometimes alter our behavior to be accepted or approved by others.

Key concepts

Social Facilitation

The concept of social facilitation is critical when understanding how an individual's performance can alter in the presence of others. It isn't simply about being watched but how our awareness of being observed triggers a physiological response that can impact our ability to carry out tasks.

For example, consider a student who excels in mathematics. When asked to solve a problem in front of their classmates, the student performs exceptionally well, solving the equation faster and with more confidence than they might do alone. This phenomenon occurs because simple or well-practiced activities can be enhanced by an audience leading to a boost in performance. However, the scenario flips when the task is complex or new; the same student might struggle with a difficult calculus problem if they feel the pressure of expecting eyes.

Improvement advice for students would emphasize the importance of practice. The more comfortable and skilled they become at a task when alone, the more likely they are to experience a positive effect from the presence of others when it's time to perform publicly. Hence, preparing thoroughly for public performances or tests can leverage the benefits of social facilitation.

Social Norms

Moving on to social norms, these are the shared expectations and rules that guide behavior of people within social groups. Social norms are significant because they can influence an individual’s actions subconsciously. These norms can be explicit, such as laws, or implicit, like making eye contact when speaking.

For instance, when a new employee joins a company, they quickly learn the dress code by observing what colleagues wear. Overtime, they adjust their wardrobe accordingly—not necessarily because there is a strict rule, but because they want to fit in. Similarly, students in school may notice that everyone turns in homework electronically, so they adapt and follow suit even if they prefer hard copies.

To improve grasp of social norms, students can be encouraged to actively participate in various social groups and observe the behaviors and cues of others. This can lead to understanding and anticipating social norms, which will enable them to adapt their behavior in different social contexts more efficiently.

Group Influence on Behavior

Lastly, group influence on behavior extends beyond individual situations and dives into how group dynamics can affect an individual's actions and decisions. When in a group setting, people often experience changes in their behavior, attitudes, or beliefs due to the real or imagined pressure from others within the group.

Take jury deliberations as an instance. An individual juror may have a particular opinion about a verdict, but through discussion and persuasion from fellow jurors, they might change their stance to conform to the majority. This transformation could be due to informational social influence, where a person conforms because they believe others have more accurate information. Or it could be due to normative influence, where the desire to be liked or accepted by the group dictates the change in opinion.

For students to better understand and handle group influences, it's fundamental to develop critical thinking and self-awareness skills. They should be encouraged to recognize the value of their own opinions while being open to considering the perspectives of the group. Learning to balance conformity and individuality is a nuanced skill that can help navigate social influences throughout life.