The presence of others in a group can influence individual behavior. There are both negative and positive effects of the influence of groups on individual behavior. For instance, in workplace settings group influences usually have a positive and useful influence on individual behavior. However, the influence of groups on individuals can also result into negative behavior. There are many ways in which a particular group can influence behavior some of which include groupshift, groupthink, and deindividuation (Sanaria, 2004).
Groupthink occurs when group members who are faced with a certain situation try to focus on making quick decisions which affects their ability to capitalize on the various options available to them. On the other hand groupshift is a situation where the position of individual members of a group tends to take a more extremist angle. Lastly, deindividuation occurs when an individual surrenders his control and self-consciousness and adopts the position of a certain group which usually has negative outcomes or goals.
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The groupthink phenomenon is psychological in nature where the desire for harmony and conformity within the group leads to results in deviant or wrong decision making by members of the group. This is a type of thinking by individual members who find themselves in a cohesive group who always strive to be unanimous in their decision making process. This type of situation forces them to forget about their individual motivations and take alternative courses of action. The overriding aim of group members is to minimize conflict within the group and always have consensus without critically analyzing alternative options which could be fruitful. For groupthink to happen, several conditions must be met. These conditions include the total isolation of the group from external influences; loyalty must be a highly cherished norm in the group; individuals must be willing to lose their independent thinking and creativity; the group lacks an impartial leader. All these factors expose the group to the high probability of making risky and bad decisions. Groupthink is regarded as a negative phenomenon.
The groupshift phenomenon occurs when the positions of individual members of a group tend to be inclined towards an extreme position. It is a situation where individual members in a group analyze risks differently than they will do when left alone. In such a scenario, the probably of making risky decisions is high because of the chance of the risks being shared by individual members. The discussions and interactions within the group shift the position of individual members to a relatively extreme position; a direction in which all will lean towards. A group that consist of liberals who are moderate can shift to a much more liberal position when the group is together or a group of racists might take a strong racist position when together.
Finally, the deindividuation phenomenon means a loss of individuality where individuals become swallowed up by groups. This means, in essence, that they will do whatever the group wants them to do. For example, when people are looting or rioting. This usually happens because individuals experience being swallowed up by the group and has a sense of anonymity. The incident of deindividuation becomes higher the larger a group is. Individuals lose their sense of control and self-consciousness and follow what the group is doing. Individuals will not do what they are doing without the support of the group. This total surrender of one’s individuality cannot be compared to obedience, conformity, or compliance (Lumen Learning).
References
Lumen Learning. Group behavior: introduction to Psychology. Boundless Psychology. Retrieved from: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/social-influence/
Sanaria, A. (2004). Conformity & Norms: The Individual Perspective . Asia Academy of Management (AAOM) Conference, Shangai, China. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4957.8329
