PSYC 215 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Fishing Reel, Cockroach, Social Psychology
Document Summary
Said the worst parts were when he was held in solitary confinement. Would rather be arguing with someone else than be completely alone. Life with others gave our ancestors protection from predators, efficiency in acquiring food, assistance with rearing children, and defense against aggressors. We have a psychological need to be with others. Group: a collection of individuals who have relations to one another that make them interdependent to some significant degree. Initially a term for enhanced performance in the presence of others; now a broader term for the effect, positive or negative, of the presence of others on performance. Triplett, 1898: 40 children in a lab had to turn a fishing reel as fast as they could. Half the time, they were alone and half the time, there was another child beside them doing the same thing (coaction). They turned the reel faster when they were in the presence of other children.
