Group Influence Assignment

Samantha Craig

PSY/400

9/23/2015

Sherri Sedler

In every community, there are various types of groups that gather together on certain days of the week or month. This paper will discuss what occurs within a specific group or committee such as the social norm, and conformity. It will shine a better understanding that observation can provide information on how groups can influence opinions, beliefs and behaviors of other individuals.

A group is considered to be "Two or more people who, for longer than a few moments, interact with and influence one another and perceive one another as us." (Myers, 2010) When individuals belong to a group events and behaviors of just that one person can alter the success of the group as a whole. As a person interacts with other individuals social influences, then occur. These interactions can either be positive or negative depending upon each person involved. A local committee in the Riverside School District known as the "PTO" or Parent Teacher Organization, is one of these groups. This committee is made up of teachers, parents, and legal guardians.

Riverside school district is located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month; it was one of these meetings the author went to observe what takes place within these gatherings in the cafeteria of the school. The author found it fascinating that all members of this group are all volunteers and at the end of the last school year the 25 to 30 members place votes on the president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Further up on the hierarchy would be the principle and the super attendant of the Riverside School District. All functions that are wanting to be planned must be run by both of them in order to get the stamp of approval. This is due to the fact that teachers and parents are involved with the events. During these meetings they discuss future "school events, including spring fairs, book sales, and cultural assemblies" (Lareau & Muñoz, 2012). These take place in order to raise money not only for the school itself but to also get the community around the school involved.

While the meeting was going, the author was surprised by the various diversity of individuals involved. There was no discrimination against sex, race or ethnicity all though there were about ten more women than there were men. The meetings usually last around a half an hour and being with the president stating what the agenda is for that night and the coming month. On the agenda, that day was discussing the fall festival and what events, games, and vendors would be attending it. The vice president proceeded with that information stating that the food vendors were listed and that they have their license. Then continued with how there would be a face painting and henna station, along with games such as bobbing for apples. After Lori, the vice president, spoke it was time for the other members who do not belong to the hierarchy of the committee to chime in with extra idea, opinions and questions.

When this particular part of the meeting was going to a newer member Kathy, asked where the money that is being raised during the fall festival would be going to? The answer was given by the president, Danielle who stated that the earnings would be going to the schools extracurricular activities within the arts such as music and band programs because they are going to be taking their trip to Disney world this year. This answer impressed the author because it was fascinating to see that the teachers and the parents were this involved with meeting the goals so that the parents of those who have children in band, and choir would not have to pay too much money out of their expenses. The reason they were able to accomplish this is because they have an interest in the well-being of the children. This goes for the teachers that are helping them grow educational wise, along with the parents that want their kids to succeed in life itself. The saying goes it takes a village to raise a kid.

Group thinking is based more on the members of the group and how they make choices and decisions based on conformity due to wanting to have harmony within the group. While there does seem to be harmony among the members of the Riverside PTO the author does not believe that they would fall under the groupthink category. This is based on the three requirements made by psychologist Irving Janis. These requirements according to (Myers, 2010) are "an amiable, cohesive group, a relative isolation of the group from dissenting viewpoints or a directive leader who signals what decision he or she favors." Therefore, even though there is a sense of unity among the members during the meeting, no one is forcing their opinions on each other or ignoring others ideas.

There are always significant influences that groups can have on individuals. This is in large part because as human beings social interactions are an essential part of life. The Riverside Area School District PTO exists because of these interactions. They provide a strengthen skill in cognitive skills such as communication, problem-solving, language skills and so much more. Although there are those who would use social interactions to have a negative influence on other individuals the author does not believe that such a thing would take place within this particular group. The PTO has a hierarchy that is filled by people who are chosen by the members each year. The school, parents and others from the community are involved with this group. This provides a sense of support but also provides each meeting that takes place with a sharing and non-hostile environment

In conclusion, there are various groups for every community. The Riverside School District in Pennsylvania's PTO is but one example. Just as with most groups there is an established hierarchy that involves the schools principal, superintendent, and the group's President, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. This is to create a balance of the school and the parents and community members involved. Each meeting takes place within the school the second Tuesday of the month, and they discuss current plans for fundraisers along with future plans. They have a free open floor for others to ask questions, express concerns, or provided ideas. This particular group does show signs of conformity in the terms of having others change their views or ideas to fit others in the hierarchy. Groupthink, which is based on three key elements such as being cohesive, isolated, or sway to one favorable opinion, doesn't show up within the PTO. This gives a sense of unity and allows others to give ideas and opinions without having to feel that they need to conform to others ideas due to negative influence that have arisen in other groups.

References

Myers, D. (2010). Social Psychology (10th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

Lareau, A., & Muñoz, Vanessa L. (2012, July). "You're Not Going to Call the Shots": Structural Conflicts between the Principal and the PTO at a Suburban Public Elementary School . Sociology of Education , 85(3), 201-218. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41507159