CBSE Class 12 Psychology (2026–27)
Chapter 7: Social Influence and Group Processes
20 Important Questions and Answers
The chapter covers the nature and formation of groups, types of groups, conformity, compliance, obedience, cooperation, competition, social loafing, group polarization, and group influences on behaviour.
1. What is a group? Mention its main characteristics.
Answer:
A group is an organized collection of two or more individuals who interact with one another, are interdependent, share common goals, and follow certain norms. Group members influence each other’s behaviour and work together to satisfy their needs. The major characteristics of a group are common motives, interaction among members, interdependence, shared identity, defined roles, and established norms. Every group develops a structure that regulates behaviour and helps members achieve collective objectives. Examples include families, school clubs, and sports teams. Groups provide emotional support, security, cooperation, and opportunities for personal development, making them an important part of social life.
2. Differentiate between a group and a crowd.
Answer:
A group is an organized collection of people who interact regularly, share common goals, and have established norms and roles. Members are interdependent and identify themselves as belonging to the group. In contrast, a crowd is a temporary gathering of people in the same place without a formal structure or long-term objectives. People in a crowd may not know each other personally and usually disperse after a short time. For example, a classroom is a group because students interact regularly and follow rules, whereas people gathered at a bus stop form a crowd. Thus, organization, interaction, and common goals distinguish groups from crowds.
3. What are formal and informal groups?
Answer:
Formal groups are deliberately created to achieve specific objectives and operate according to established rules and procedures. Examples include school committees, business organizations, and government departments. Members perform defined roles and responsibilities. Informal groups, on the other hand, develop naturally through personal interactions and shared interests. They are not governed by official rules and are based on friendship, mutual support, or common interests. Examples include peer groups and friendship circles. Both types of groups influence behaviour, but formal groups emphasize task achievement while informal groups focus more on social relationships, emotional support, and personal satisfaction among members.
4. Explain the concepts of in-group and out-group.
Answer:
An in-group refers to a group to which an individual belongs and identifies strongly. Members often use the term “we” while referring to their in-group and feel loyalty towards it. An out-group consists of people who do not belong to one’s own group and are often referred to as “they.” Individuals usually show preference and positive feelings towards their in-group while maintaining distance from out-groups. For example, students of one school may view themselves as an in-group and students of another school as an out-group. These group distinctions can influence attitudes, cooperation, competition, and social behaviour in everyday life.
5. What is conformity?
Answer:
Conformity is a form of social influence in which individuals change their attitudes, beliefs, or behaviour to match the norms or expectations of a group. People conform because they want acceptance, approval, and social harmony. Conformity helps groups function smoothly by encouraging uniformity and reducing conflicts. However, excessive conformity may discourage independent thinking and creativity. For example, a student may adopt the study habits of classmates to fit into the group. Conformity can occur due to informational influence, where people believe others know better, or normative influence, where people seek social approval and avoid rejection.
6. Explain informational influence and normative influence.
Answer:
Informational influence occurs when people accept information from others as evidence about reality. Individuals conform because they believe others possess correct knowledge or experience. For example, a new student may follow classmates’ behaviour because they seem more familiar with school rules. Normative influence occurs when people conform to gain acceptance, approval, or avoid criticism and rejection. In this case, conformity is motivated by social needs rather than information. For example, a person may follow a dress code adopted by friends to fit into the group. Both influences play a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviour in social situations.
7. What is compliance?
Answer:
Compliance is a form of social influence in which a person agrees to a request made by another individual or group, even though the requester does not possess formal authority. The person may comply without genuinely changing personal beliefs. Compliance is often used in marketing, advertising, and interpersonal interactions. People comply because it appears polite, convenient, or socially desirable. Techniques such as the “foot-in-the-door” and “door-in-the-face” methods are commonly used to increase compliance. For example, a student may help organize a school event after being requested by a friend, even if initially unwilling to participate.
8. Describe the Foot-in-the-Door technique.
Answer:
The Foot-in-the-Door technique is a compliance strategy in which a person is first asked to agree to a small request. Once the individual complies, a larger request is presented. People often agree to the second request because they wish to remain consistent with their earlier behaviour. This technique is widely used in sales, social campaigns, and interpersonal persuasion. For example, a charity worker may first ask someone to sign a petition and later request a donation. Since the person has already shown support, compliance with the larger request becomes more likely. This technique demonstrates how small commitments can influence future decisions.
9. What is obedience?
Answer:
Obedience is a direct form of social influence in which individuals follow orders or instructions given by someone in a position of authority. People obey because authorities possess power, status, and the ability to reward or punish. Obedience is essential for maintaining order in families, schools, organizations, and societies. However, excessive obedience may sometimes lead individuals to perform actions they personally consider wrong. Research on obedience demonstrated that many people follow authority figures even when uncomfortable with the consequences. Examples include students following teachers’ instructions and employees carrying out tasks assigned by supervisors.
10. Distinguish between conformity, compliance, and obedience.
Answer:
Conformity involves changing behaviour or attitudes to match group norms and expectations. Compliance occurs when a person agrees to a request made by another individual without necessarily changing personal beliefs. Obedience involves following orders issued by an authority figure. Conformity is usually indirect and influenced by social norms. Compliance results from direct requests, while obedience results from authority and power relationships. For example, dressing like classmates reflects conformity, helping a friend after a request reflects compliance, and following a teacher’s instruction reflects obedience. Although all three involve social influence, they differ in their source and level of authority.
11. What is social loafing?
Answer:
Social loafing refers to the tendency of individuals to exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone. This occurs because responsibility is shared among group members, making individual contributions less noticeable. People may feel that their efforts are not essential or that others will compensate for reduced performance. Social loafing can decrease group productivity and effectiveness. To reduce social loafing, individual responsibilities should be clearly defined and performance should be monitored. For example, some members in a group project may contribute less because they expect others to complete most of the work.
12. What is group polarization?
Answer:
Group polarization refers to the tendency of group discussions to strengthen members’ initial opinions and produce more extreme decisions than those held before discussion. When like-minded individuals interact, they often reinforce one another’s viewpoints, resulting in stronger attitudes. Group polarization may lead to riskier or more cautious decisions depending on the group’s initial preference. This phenomenon can influence political opinions, social attitudes, and organizational decisions. For example, a group that initially supports a moderate environmental policy may adopt a much stronger position after extensive discussion. Group polarization demonstrates how interaction can intensify existing beliefs and preferences.
13. What is groupthink?
Answer:
Groupthink is a pattern of decision-making in which the desire for agreement and harmony within a group becomes more important than critical evaluation of alternatives. Members avoid expressing doubts or opposing views to maintain unity. As a result, poor decisions may be made because important information and risks are ignored. Groupthink often occurs in highly cohesive groups where members feel pressure to conform. Effective leadership, open communication, and encouraging diverse viewpoints can reduce groupthink. Organizations and teams should promote independent thinking to ensure sound decision-making and avoid errors caused by excessive consensus.
14. Explain cooperation.
Answer:
Cooperation is a process in which individuals or groups work together to achieve common goals. It involves mutual assistance, coordination, and shared responsibility. Cooperation promotes positive relationships, trust, efficiency, and group success. It is essential in families, schools, workplaces, and communities where collective effort is required. Cooperative behaviour helps individuals solve problems more effectively and achieve outcomes that may be difficult to accomplish alone. For example, students working together on a science project share ideas and resources to complete the task successfully. Cooperation strengthens group cohesion and contributes to personal as well as social development.
15. What is competition?
Answer:
Competition is a situation in which individuals or groups strive to achieve the same goal, reward, or resource that cannot be shared equally. It encourages effort, achievement, and improvement in performance. Healthy competition can motivate people to develop skills and work harder. However, excessive competition may lead to conflict, stress, hostility, and reduced cooperation. Examples include academic contests, sports tournaments, and business rivalries. A balance between competition and cooperation is necessary for positive social functioning. While competition focuses on outperforming others, cooperation emphasizes working together for mutual benefit and collective success.
16. What are group norms?
Answer:
Group norms are shared expectations, rules, and standards that guide the behaviour of group members. They help maintain order, coordination, and predictability within the group. Norms may be formal, such as written rules, or informal, such as accepted patterns of behaviour. Members who follow norms are usually accepted, while those who violate norms may face criticism or rejection. For example, arriving on time for meetings may be an expected norm in a school club. Group norms contribute to group stability, strengthen social identity, and help members understand appropriate behaviour in different situations.
17. What is group cohesiveness?
Answer:
Group cohesiveness refers to the degree of attraction, unity, and commitment among group members. A cohesive group has strong interpersonal relationships, mutual trust, and a shared sense of belonging. Members are motivated to remain in the group and work toward common goals. High cohesiveness often improves cooperation, morale, and productivity. However, excessive cohesiveness may increase conformity and the likelihood of groupthink. Factors such as shared goals, success, effective communication, and positive interactions enhance cohesiveness. For example, a successful sports team often develops strong cohesiveness through teamwork and shared achievements.
18. Explain the role of leadership in groups.
Answer:
Leadership involves influencing and guiding group members toward achieving common objectives. A leader coordinates activities, motivates members, resolves conflicts, and facilitates decision-making. Effective leaders communicate clearly, inspire confidence, and create a positive group environment. Leadership can improve group performance by ensuring cooperation and maintaining focus on goals. Different situations may require different leadership styles, such as democratic or authoritarian approaches. Good leadership encourages participation and innovation while maintaining discipline and direction. In schools, teachers and student leaders often play important roles in organizing activities and ensuring successful group functioning.
19. How do groups influence individual behaviour?
Answer:
Groups influence individual behaviour through norms, roles, expectations, conformity, and social pressure. People often modify their attitudes and actions to gain acceptance and avoid rejection. Group membership affects decision-making, self-concept, motivation, and performance. Positive influences include support, cooperation, learning, and emotional security. Negative influences may include conformity pressure, social loafing, and groupthink. Individuals frequently adjust their behaviour according to group standards, even when personal opinions differ. For example, students may adopt study habits, language styles, or behavioural patterns that are common within their peer group. Thus, groups play a powerful role in shaping behaviour.
20. Why are groups important in human life?
Answer:
Groups are important because they satisfy social, emotional, and psychological needs. They provide support, security, identity, companionship, and opportunities for cooperation. Through groups, individuals learn values, norms, communication skills, and social responsibilities. Groups help people achieve goals that are difficult to accomplish alone and contribute to personal growth and development. Membership in groups enhances self-esteem and provides a sense of belonging. Families, schools, workplaces, and communities all function through group processes. By promoting interaction, learning, and mutual support, groups play a vital role in shaping personality, behaviour, and overall well-being.