Complete Summary and Solutions for Social Influence and Group Processes – NCERT Class XII Psychology, Chapter 7 – Explanation, Key Terms, Questions, and Answers

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 7 ‘Social Influence and Group Processes’ from the NCERT Class XII Psychology textbook, covering nature and formation of groups, types of groups, groupthink, social loafing, group polarisation, and influence of groups on individual behaviour—along with all key terms, project ideas, and NCERT questions with answers.

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Categories: NCERT, Class XII, Psychology, Chapter 7, Social Influence, Group Processes, Behaviour, Groupthink, Social Loafing, Group Polarisation, Summary, Questions, Answers, Learning, Cognition, Social Psychology
Tags: Social Influence and Group Processes, Psychology, NCERT, Class 12, Groups, Behaviour, Groupthink, Social Loafing, Group Polarisation, Social Facilitation, Cohesiveness, Group Formation, Ingroup, Outgroup, Summary, Explanation, Questions, Answers, Chapter 7, Class XII Psychology
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Social Influence and Group Processes - Class 12 Psychology Chapter 7 Ultimate Study Guide 2025

Social Influence and Group Processes

Chapter 7: Psychology - Ultimate Study Guide | NCERT Class 12 Notes, Questions, Examples & Quiz 2025

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Social Influence and Group Processes Class 12 NCERT

Overview & Key Concepts

  • Chapter Goal: Understand nature, formation, types of groups; influence on individual behavior like social loafing, polarisation; groupthink dangers. Exam Focus: Stages (forming/storming/norming/performing/adjourn), types (primary/secondary), loafing causes/reduction; 2025 Updates: Social media groups, online polarisation. Fun Fact: Minimal group paradigm shows bias from arbitrary divisions. Core Idea: Groups provide security but can lead to irrationality; interlinks to Ch6 attitudes (polarisation). Real-World: Teamwork in sports/offices. Expanded: All subtopics point-wise with evidence (e.g., Tuckman's stages, Latane's loafing experiments), examples (e.g., cricket team drop catch), debates (e.g., cohesion benefits vs. groupthink risks).
  • Wider Scope: From family to mobs; sources: Activities (7.1-7.3), boxes (7.1 groupthink, 7.2 minimal paradigm).
  • Expanded Content: Include socio-cultural aspects, role of norms, psychometric vs. social dynamics; multi-disciplinary (e.g., sociology in ingroup bias, management in teams).
Activity 7.1: Identifying Stages of Group Formation Description

Form committee of 10 for open house; observe stages (forming uncertainty, storming conflict, norming cohesion, performing achievement, adjourning disband). Reflects Tuckman's model in real planning.

Introduction

  • Core Idea: Groups integral for support, growth; influence positively as citizens; individuals change society too.
  • Daily Interactions: Family morning, school discussions, friends play/phone; absence feels missing.
  • Expanded: Evidence: Interdependence in groups vs. collections; debates: Group vs. individual agency; real: School teams foster belonging.

Nature and Formation of Groups

  • What is a Group?: Organised system of 2+ interdependent individuals with common motives, roles, norms; salient: Belonging, goals, interdependence, interaction, structure.
  • Differences from Collections: Crowd: No structure/belonging, irrational; audience: Passive; mobs: Purposeful, impulsive; teams: Complementary skills, synergy, mutual accountability.
  • Why Do People Join Groups?: Security (reduce insecurity), status (prestige), self-esteem (positive identity), needs satisfaction (belonging, power), goal achievement (majority power), knowledge (broaden views).
  • Group Formation: Proximity (repeated exposure, common interests), similarity (consistency/validation), common motives/goals (facilitate attainment).
  • Stages of Group Formation: Tuckman: Forming (uncertainty/excitement), storming (conflict/hierarchy), norming (norms/identity), performing (goal achievement), adjourning (disband).
  • Group Structure: Roles (expectations), norms (standards), status (relative position), cohesiveness (attraction, 'we' feeling; extreme leads to groupthink).
  • Expanded: Evidence: Interaction regularities; debates: Linear vs. non-linear stages; real: Playgroup proximity/similarity.
Fig.7.1: Look at these Two Pictures Description

Picture A: Football team - interdependent with roles/goals. Picture B: Audience - mere collection, no interdependence. Illustrates group vs. non-group.

Activity 7.2: Ingroup and Outgroup Distinctions Description

Write about own/other school in competition; list behaviors; discuss differences/similarities; shows bias/favoritism.

Type of Groups

  • Primary and Secondary Groups: Primary: Pre-existing (family/caste), face-to-face, impermeable; secondary: Chosen (party), impersonal, permeable.
  • Formal and Informal Groups: Formal: Explicit functions/roles (office); informal: No rules, close relations (friends).
  • Ingroup and Outgroup: Ingroup: 'We', similar/favorable; outgroup: 'They', different/negative; Tajfel experiments show arbitrary bias.
  • Expanded: Evidence: Minimal paradigm; debates: Real vs. created categories; real: School ingroup pride.

Influence of Group on Individual Behaviour

  • Social Loafing: Reduced effort in collective tasks; causes: Less responsibility, no evaluation, no comparison, poor coordination, unimportant belonging; reduce: Identifiable efforts, commitment, importance, cohesiveness.
  • Group Polarisation: Extreme decisions post-discussion; causes: New arguments, bandwagon, ingroup identification; risks: Irrational extremes.
  • Expanded: Evidence: Latane clapping; debates: Benefits vs. dangers; real: Bribe punishment extremes.
Activity 7.3: Assessing Polarisation Description

Attitude scale on capital punishment; group discuss; re-administer; observe hardening; shows discussion strengthens views.

Why This Guide Stands Out

Comprehensive: All subtopics point-wise, 3+ diagram/activity descriptions; 2025 with links (e.g., polarisation in social media), theories analyzed for depth.

Key Themes & Tips

  • Aspects: Formation, types, influences, polarisation/loafing.
  • Tip: Memorize stages (FSNPA), types (PSFI IO); compare tables; debate cohesion vs. think.

Exam Case Studies

Groupthink in decisions; loafing in teams; polarisation debates.

Project & Group Ideas

  • Analyze social media groups polarisation.
  • Debate: Groups enhance or hinder individuals?
  • Observe class group formation.