What are the driving forces behind group behavior? This topic is covered on both theoretical and applied levels with an emphasis on putting theory into practice. The types of groups discussed range from the small (two members) to the extremely large (thousands of members). Topics such as group performance, cooperative problem-solving, competitive problem-solving, social dilemmas, cultural in-group bias, group think, and loss of self will be covered in detail. These areas of research will be related to relevant "real world" topics such as the performance of sports teams, committee decision-making, team negotiation, and mob mentality. Both classic and recent research on dynamic group processes will be outlined and discussed in class. Requirements: class participation, two hour exams, and a final paper or empirical project. Prerequisites: Psychology 242. Empirical Project

Hour: BONNER