Post #6 - Social Psych

 Hey! For week 6 of psych blogging, here are some cool examples that we see in real life.

But...

Here's the twist. I'm going to relate it to our school. John Foster Dulles High School. 

This is NOT AT ALL satirical. Nope. 

With that convincing disclaimer, here's how our wonderful school ties in with this stuff. 

Compliance

Back when Dulles served coffee in the breakfast line, there were loads and loads of people who would flock over there because of sleep deprivation. However, I'm sure not everyone in that line was there for the coffee. While many students do enjoy the sensation of coffee, many others are 'encouraged' to join in as their groups of friends venture over. Even though this isn't an explicit command, the peer pressure they experience is often complied with. 

(not Dulles...ours was a lot less glamorous)

Obedience

When Mr. Stewart is staring at you telling you to not be late in the hallway, you're more likely to hurry up, because if he sees you disregarding what he says, you know he can come up and punish you. Even though he may not necessarily, he holds a position of power. The effect of proximity is also clear. Imagine the warning bell goes off, and you stand a few inches away from the principal himself, unmoving as people frantically head to class. Is anyone going to disobey him if he is a few inches from your face telling you personally to get to class? I think not. However, if you're halfway down the mall area, you might be more willing to write off what he says. Not that it's any more of a good idea, but the detachment from the authority 

(from the FBISD website)

Social facilitation

As we saw recently at Multicultural Show, numerous groups of performers took the stage. Each of them was incredibly talented, but I feel like they likely heightened their awareness and precision thanks to the nervousness. That is an obvious example of social facilitation...unless.. they all practice so cleanly. I would imagine it would increase the quality of the performance. 

(An infographic!)

Group polarization

I know this has happened multiple times in AP Chem, but once a small group recognizes a test date is somewhat unpleasant, the reaction of the many grows into a sheer defiance of the date with all of their willpower. It doesn't make much sense from a group that was initially mildly displeased by it, but the shift indicates a social phenomenon. 

(how it starts)

Reciprocity norms

When someone gives you a pencil because you forgot yours, do you feel indebted to give it back? Yeah, probably. When it comes to exam day, though, are you more or less willing to give them a pencil after the last encounter? It's probably more as you feel the urge to repay them. At least, that's how my experience has been. But, um, not with pencils of course.

(yay, stock images)