group psychology

Group psychology studies how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence and actions of others. It explains phenomena like conformity, where people adjust their opinions to match the group, or obedience, where individuals follow orders even against their personal beliefs. Group dynamics can foster cooperation or lead to behaviors like diffusion of responsibility or groupthink, where collective decision-making may overlook risks. Understanding these processes helps explain why people act differently alone versus in groups, highlighting the powerful ways social context shapes human behavior.