Oxford AQA A Level Psychology: DECISION-MAKING IN GROUPS [3.3.4 Work and The Individual]

This fully editable lesson delves into the key concepts of decision-making in groups, focusing on groupthink, group polarisation, and the risky shift. Students will explore how these group processes influence decision-making in both social and organisational settings, with particular emphasis on how group membership can shape individual identity and behaviour. Designed using the** OxfordAQA International A-level Psychology (9685)** specification, this resource helps students critically assess how group dynamics can lead to extreme or poor decisions.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Lesson Slides: Covers the main processes involved in group decision-making, including groupthink, group polarisation, and the risky shift. The slides incorporate research and studies, such as Janis (1982) on groupthink and Stoner (1961) on the risky shift. Students will analyse these concepts with a focus on real-world applications, such as jury decisions, corporate board strategies, and government policies.

• Interactive Activities: Engages students with a “Do Now” activity that prompts them to reflect on how they might behave differently in a group versus as an individual. Structured questions assess understanding of core concepts, such as the difference between normative and informational social influences. Activities like Think-Pair-Share and class discussions on real-life cases (e.g., Bay of Pigs) help students connect the theories to practical examples.

• Assessment Materials: Includes exam-style questions and PEEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Evaluation) paragraphs for evaluating research into groupthink and group polarisation. Model answers guide students in effectively applying theoretical knowledge to scenario-based questions, particularly in contexts like workplace decision-making and organisational settings.