PSY263: (Group Dynamics) Examine the extent that we can apply social identity theory to explain the behaviour of soccer fans

Module / Subject / School:

PSY263: Group Dynamics

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Requirements: 

Part 1: Application of concepts in Study Unit 1: Behaviour of soccer fans (25 marks)

Students who turn up (class presentation)

“Fans who are strongly fused with their team – that is, have a strong sense of being ‘one’ with their team – experience the greatest physiological stress response when watching a match,” says Dr Martha Newson, researcher at the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, University of Oxford. “Fans who are more casual supporters also experience stress, but not so extremely.”

University of Oxford (2020)

Source: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-01-24-hardcore-football-fans-experience-intense-levels-physical-stress-during-matches

Examine the extent that we can apply social identity theory to explain the behaviour of soccer fans by giving a 15-minutes PowerPoint presentation.

• During Week 3 seminar, each group will give a 15-minutes PowerPoint presentation on the extent that social identity theory can be applied to explain the behaviour of soccer fans.

• The PowerPoint presentation should consist of between 12 to 15 slides (excluding the cover slide and references).

• Every group member MUST take part in the group presentation.

Part 2: Application of concepts in Study Unit 2: Initiations of new group members (25 marks)

Students who turn up (class presentation)

“Individuals who undergo an unpleasant initiation to become members of a group increase their liking for the group; that is, they find the group more attractive than do persons who become members without going through a severe initiation.” (Oxenham, 2015)

Source: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/initiation-ceremony-experiments

Discuss the extent that we can apply theories on cohesion to explain initiations and commitments of new group members by performing a 15-minutes role play.

• During Week 6 seminar, each group will perform a 15-minutes role play on the extent

that theories on cohesion can be applied to explain initiations and commitments of new group members.

• Every group member MUST take part in the role play.

• Every group must record the role play and submit the video to the submission link. The video can be recorded using any device such as your mobile phone.

Part 3: Application of concepts in Study Unit 3: Understanding jury dynamics (25 marks)

Students who turn up (class presentation)

In the case of majority influence, a lone juror who feels strongly about an opposing and unpopular viewpoint might become undone and succumb to the social pressures of the group, thus changing their viewpoint and leading to a verdict decision that they do not agree with. Similarly, if a minority group is consistent with presenting their argument to the group, the unpopular view can emerge as the final decision of the jury as a whole (Lively, 2017).

What we score:

80%

Our Writer’s Comment 

This assignment is designed to assess students’ understanding of business practices.

To secure an A+ grade, adhere to these guidelines and make sure your work aligns with the grading criteria:

Part 1: Application of Social Identity Theory to Soccer Fans (25 marks)

In this section, you need to explain how social identity theory applies to the behavior of soccer fans, especially in the context of their emotional investment in the game.

1. Overview and Preparation:
   • Start by ensuring you understand social identity theory clearly. It’s all about how people identify with groups (in this case, soccer teams) and how that affects their behavior. Mention concepts like in-group and out-group behavior, emotional attachment, and group cohesion.
   • When creating your PowerPoint presentation, aim for a balanced structure. Use around 12-15 slides, with each slide focusing on one key point.
2. Analysis:
   • Explain how fused fans (those with a deep connection to their team) display behaviors that align with social identity theory. Use the information from the Oxford study to support your points.
   • Include visual elements like graphs or images showing the stress levels of fans or fan behaviors, which will help to explain the connection between emotional stress and identity fusion.
   • Be sure to link the theory to real-life examples, such as famous soccer teams and their passionate fans. This will help the audience relate to your points.
3. Group Presentation:
   • Make sure every group member is involved in the presentation. Practice delivering a cohesive message so that each person contributes to explaining different aspects of social identity theory.

How to Improve:

• Focus on depth. Don’t just explain the theory—show how it directly applies to the behavior of soccer fans, using strong examples from the case study.
• Engage your audience with visuals and real-world references, like videos of fan behavior, to keep their attention and illustrate your points better.

Part 2: Initiations and Commitments of New Group Members (25 marks)

In this part, you need to apply theories on cohesion to explain why initiations make group members more committed.

1. Understanding Cohesion:
   • The key idea is that difficult initiations create a stronger bond with the group. Explain concepts like group cohesion, commitment, and sacrifice.
   • You can use examples from fraternities, sports teams, or even professional organizations where new members undergo tough initiations and feel more committed as a result.
2. Role Play:
   • Design a role play that shows the different stages of initiation, from a newcomer being tested to them becoming a committed member of the group. Each member of the group should act out a role, such as the initiator or the new recruit, to showcase these dynamics.
   • Make sure the role play has a clear narrative that illustrates the theory. For example, start with an initiation ritual, then show how the newcomer’s attitude changes as they bond with the group.
3. Recording:
   • Ensure your role play is recorded clearly, with everyone participating equally. Keep the video concise but impactful, and make sure the key concepts of cohesion and commitment are easily identifiable.

How to Improve:

• Be creative with your role play. The more realistic and engaging it is, the better. Use humor or strong emotional moments to make the dynamics of group cohesion stand out.
• After the role play, briefly explain which theories were demonstrated in the video. This can be done as a voiceover or a post-role play explanation in the video.

Part 3: Understanding Jury Dynamics (25 marks)

This part focuses on majority and minority influence within a jury setting, exploring how social pressures can lead to decision-making changes.

1. Majority vs. Minority Influence:
   • First, explain the theory of majority influence, where most jurors share a view, and a minority feels pressured to conform. Then, discuss minority influence, where a consistent minority can sway the majority.
   • Refer to psychological concepts like social pressure, group conformity, and consistency.
2. Group Presentation:
   • Like in Part 1, your group needs to present a cohesive explanation of jury dynamics. You can structure this by first explaining the concept of majority influence, followed by a discussion of minority influence, using real-life examples like famous court cases.
   • Use case studies to show how a single juror or a minority group influenced the final decision.
3. Visual Aids:
   • Use visuals such as diagrams of jury setups, flowcharts explaining the decision-making process, or examples of court cases where majority or minority influence played a significant role.

How to Improve:

• Focus on specific examples where jury dynamics led to surprising outcomes, such as famous dissenting opinions or unanimous verdicts overturned by a minority.
• Make your presentation interactive by asking questions to your audience or incorporating audience participation to simulate how social pressure affects decision-making.

General Tips for All Parts:

• Presentation Skills: Since the presentations are graded, practice delivering your points clearly and confidently. Ensure that everyone in the group has a role and speaks during the presentation. Engage with the audience and maintain eye contact.
• Depth and Analysis: Go beyond surface-level explanations. Dig deep into the theories and show how they apply to real-world scenarios. Use research, examples, and empirical evidence to support your points.
• Creativity: Especially for Part 2, where you’re doing a role play, creativity can help you score higher. Make the role play interesting and relatable to the theories you’re discussing.
• Clarity: Keep your slides simple but informative. Don’t overcrowd them with text—use bullet points, visuals, and key phrases that highlight your main points.

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