Theories of Group Behavior

1. Introduction: The Study of Group Behavior.- Definition of the Group.- Topographical Aspects of Groups.- Temporal Aspects of Groups.- Overview of the Rest of the Book.- 2. Social Comparison Theory: Self-Evaluation and Group Life.- The Origins of Social Comparison Theory.- A Modified Theory of Social Comparison Processes.- Social Comparison Processes in Specific Group Settings.- Conclusions.- 3. Cognitive Dissonance Theory: Collective Actions and Individual Reactions.- Cognitive Dissonance Theory.- Cognitive Dissonance in Groups.- Applications.- Conclusion.- 4. Self-Presentation Theory: Self-Construction and Audience Pleasing.- General Principles.- Operation of the Theory in Group Contexts.- Applications.- 5. Drive Theory: Effects of Socially Engendered Arousal.- Presentation of the Theory.- Operation of the Theory in Group Contexts.- Applications.- Conclusion.- 6. Social Impact Theory: A Social Forces Model of Influence.- General Principles.- Operations of the Theory in Group Contexts.- Applications.- 7. Self-Attention Theory: The Effects of Group Composition on the Individual.- Presentation of the Theory.- Operation of the Theory in Group Settings.- Applications.- 8. Social Cognition Theory of Group Processes.- Basic Concepts and Processes.- Social Cognition in Group Settings.- Conclusions.- 9. Transactive Memory: A Contemporary Analysis of the Group Mind.- General Principles.- The Transactive Memory System.- Applications.- Conclusions.- 10. Theories of Group Behavior: Commentary.- The Individual's Response to Social Forces.- Self-Validation in Groups.- Social Knowledge in Groups.- Group Decision Making: An Integrative Account.- Conclusion and Future Considerations.- Author Index.