ABSTRACT
Route map
This chapter provides an introduction to some of the theories and evidence that social psychologists have used to study social influence and other group processes. We begin by identifying different types of group and then move on to research that has been used to understand how groups can influence people to change their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. The second part of the chapter looks at work on how a person’s performance can be influenced by other people watching them. The third part looks at group decision making, group performance and what happens when poor decisions are made. We then turn to conditions when people behave in ways they normally would not. For instance, we will look at the conditions under which people obey authority. The role of leaders will also be discussed in terms of group performance. Finally, we study how groups behave towards one another, with special reference to conflict and discriminatory behaviour.
