Erick Paul U.

de Vera Social Psychology

March 11, 2013 Mrs. Lucita Jose

CHOOSE WISELY: A REFLECTION PAPER ON THE INFLUENCE OF A GROUP

No man is an island In life, one is never alone. Man is always surrounded with people. Man is always with others. As he grows, he encounters different people. He encounters what will be his friends. These people he calls friends is what influences him, and when they are together, they ar e called a group. What is a group? A group is two or more people who interact and influence one another. Now, the three important characteristics here are a) two or more, b) interact, and c) influence. A group must be composed of two or more persons. It is for the obvious reasons. Secondly, a group must interact. A person who belongs to a certain group must interact with the group and join their activities. Otherwise, he may be removed from the group. Lastly, persons in a group must, in one way or another, influence the group they are into. What is a group? A group is two or more people who interact and influence one another. How are we affected by others presence? I often wonder why whenever I was at home eating canton, I easily get full; but when I am in the seminary, with my brothers, I can eat three times more than what I eat at home. Why? I often hear them say: Mas masarap kumain pag may kasama. Indeed, food tastes better when many are gathered, and when it is shared with many others. This is what we call social facilitation. Social facilitation is the arousal of dominant responses at the presence of others. Now, how are we affected by the presence of others? There are three factors: a) evaluation apprehension (parang may laging nakatingin), b) distraction (madami nagpapapansin), and c) presence (ginaganahan sa presence ng mahal). These are the three factors why are we affected by others presence. Do individuals exert less effort in a group? Let me ask you a question. If, in a group, you have a group project and you know that your group mates are darn good, would still help in doing such project? More often than not, you will say Kaya na nila yan, tutal madami tayo, tutal magagaling naman mga ka grupo ko. This phenomenon is called social loafing. It is the tendency to exert less effort when in the presence of others. This phenomenon is bad of course, and so it needs to be lessened. How do we lessen

social loafing? Social loafing would be less if: 1) it involves Rewards or punishments, 2) it requires the involvement of its members, 3) the activity or the group is familiar, and 4) the activity or the group imposes challenge. Social loafing must be lessened becasue it is not very healthy in the flourishing of teh group and the individual. When do people lose their sense of self in a group? I can still remember my aunt telling me: Wag ka sasali sa fraternity kasi mawawalan ka sa sarili. Masisira ka! In a group, we cannot help but be attuned with the groups likings and practices. We feel in when we do what the group does. However, too much attachment to the group makes one lose his sense of self. When asked: Sino ka ba?, we often hear silence. Groups ar good, but let us be aware of ourselves so as not to lose our very selves in that group. Do groups intensify our opinions? Groups play a big role in mans making his decisions and his very being. As they say, tell me your friends and Ill tell you who you are. Groups intensify our opinions. Learning happens more when we are with a group. Tara, group review!!! Furthermore, groups are formed with common things. Groups are made of people with common interests and who blend together harmoniously. Indeed, birds of the same feather flock together. Do groups hinder or assist good decisions? Groups, as they say, are of great influence. But, with regard to decisions, they are not so good because as surveys say, groups hinder good decisions. This is what we call Group think. Group think sprouts from: amiable groups or groups who value group ties very much, isolative groups or groups who shoo away people not conforming to them, and groups with a directive leader. How do individuals influence groups? Sometimes, we encounter people and groups which are relatively small in number but are never small in influence. These people and groups are called persuasive people or groups. One is persuasive if he possesses: a) consistency, b) confidence, and c) defection. These three are the qualities of a LEADER. Now, let me conclude with a question: ARE GROUPS BAD FOR US? Through my reflections, I can say that groups are bad - but its only half of the equation. The goodness and badness of a group depends on their ideals. You who want to join a certain group will be the one to choose. We are the one who chooses who will influence us. Choose wisely.