Consensus and affect resolution in groups /
A general framework is presented for understanding the motivational aspect of negative affect brought about by disagreement in groups. The framework, which is based on theories of group process, social validation, and cognitive consistency, supposes that disagreement within a group leads group membe...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2001.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=725912061&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | A general framework is presented for understanding the motivational aspect of negative affect brought about by disagreement in groups. The framework, which is based on theories of group process, social validation, and cognitive consistency, supposes that disagreement within a group leads group members to experience a form of negative affect comparable to cognitive dissonance. The presence of this negative affect is assumed to promote behaviors aimed at reducing it. Specifically, it is believed that the presence of negative affect will motivate group members toward agreement or consensus to reduce the negative affect associated with disagreement. From this perspective, a variety of group interaction processes can be understood as people's attempt to reduce negative affect. The results of two empirical investigations support the general framework. In Study 1, members of a group that believed other group members disagreed with them experienced greater negative affect than those who believed the entire group was in agreement. Study 2 demonstrated that multiple methods of reaching agreement can effectively reduce the negative affect associated with initial disagreement. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Psychology". |
| Physical Description: | vii, 117 leaves ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-79). |