How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Theories about groups

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Here are academic theories about how groups behave.

Epistemological Weighting Hypothesis: conformance depends on how closely our norms match group norms.
Conversion Theory: Minorities can convert majority people.
Group Locomotion Hypothesis: members are motivated to achieve group goals.
Groupthink: maintenance of group cohesion becomes all-important.
Normative Social Influence: basic group need forces us to conform.
Politeness Theory: we are nice where respect is needed (and vice versa).
Roles: we conform with shared expectations of behavior.
Social Impact Theory: conformance increases with importance, immediacy and number of others.
Social Norms: groups have rules that must be followed.
Pluralistic Ignorance: sometimes most people disagree with a group norm, but nobody speaks out.

Group Polarization Phenomenon: groups are more extreme in decisions.
Groupthink: maintenance needs leads to limited or blinkered decisions.
Persuasive Arguments Theory: to sway others in group, arguments tend to be extreme.
Risky Shift Phenomenon: groups take either more or less extreme risks.

See also