Types of Social Interaction
Cooperation
“How can we reach our goal?”
• A form of interaction in which individuals
or groups combine their efforts to reach
a goal
– Usually occurs when…
• Reaching a goal demands the best use of
limited resources and efforts
– Examples: survivors of a plane crash in the
mountains; victims of natural disasters
• Exists outside of emergencies as well
– Examples: rules for games; sharing household
duties
Conflict
• Groups or individuals that work against
one another for a larger share of the
rewards.
– Defeating the opponent is essential
• Social Benefits of Conflict:
– Promotes cooperation and unity within opposing
groups
» Example: A neighborhood bully can bring together
2 brothers who usually don’t get along.
– Draws attention to social inequities
» Examples: Civil Rights activists in the 60s
convinced Congress to make laws to ensure
basic rights and freedoms to all people.
Social Exchange
“What is in it for me?”
• A voluntary action performed in the
expectation of getting a reward in return
– Benefit to be earned rather than the
relationship itself that is key
• Example: You help a friend wash her car, she then
helps you study for a test
Coercion
• Individuals or groups are forced to give
in to the will of other individuals or
groups
– One-way street; central element is
domination
• May occur through: physical force
(imprisonment, torture, or death)
– Example: Prisoners of war can be forced to reveal
information to enemies.
• More often through: social pressure (ridicule,
rejection, withdrawal of affection)
– Example: Parents can control behavior of young
children by threatening to withdraw privileges.
Conformity
• Behavior that matches group expectations
– Adapt behavior to fit behavior of those around
us
• Necessary for culture and social structure
–
–
–
–
Church
Family
University
Government
Competition
• Groups or individuals
that work against each
other in order to “win”
something in return for
their efforts.
– In the workforce for
promotion
– Sports
– Sibling Rivalry
– Etc.
Group Think
• Self-deceptive thinking that is based on
conformity to group beliefs, and created
by group pressure to conform
– Discourages members from expressing
their concerns about group decisions
» Examples: JFK’s Bay of Pigs Invasion, Personal
examples???
Bystander Effect
• Or bystander apathy:
occurs when the
presence of others
hinders an individual
from intervening in an
emergency situation.
– Social psychologists Bibb
Latané and John Darley
popularized the concept
following the infamous
1964 Kitty Genovese
murder in Kew Gardens,
New York.
The probability of help is inversely
related to the number of bystanders
Pop Quiz Time
each answer will be used only 1 time
a. Cooperation
b. Conflict
d. Coercion
e. Conformity
•
•
•
•
•
c. Social
Exchange
f. Competition
1. Blood donors expect payment
2. Students read what a teacher assigns
3. Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait
4. Flood victims help each other
5. Employees are forced to work
overtime or be fired
• 6. NPHS vs EPHS in football