Subjective Group Dynamics

Subjective group dynamics arise when people respond to deviant individuals within groups in a context involving comparisons between their ingroup and an outgroup. People spend a lot of time in small groups such as teams, committees, work groups, and social groups of friends. Social psychology shows that the opinions held by other people within such groups can easily affect the way members make judgments and decisions, how well they perform tasks, and how they form attitudes and opinions. The dynamics within these groups can have powerful effects on the way people share resources, who they vote for or against, and what choices they make. But these dynamics change when the groups are being compared with other groups.