Theories of group behavior

Theories of group behavior explore how and why people act differently when they're part of a group. Key ideas include social identity theory, which suggests people see themselves through group membership and want to feel accepted; social facilitation, where individuals perform better or worse depending on others’ presence; and groupthink, where the desire for harmony leads to poor decision-making. These theories help explain collective actions, conformity, leadership effects, and conflicts within groups, highlighting how individual behavior is influenced by social dynamics, expectations, and group norms.