Group Dynamics and Cognitive Biases: A Case Study of Alex

Answer each question with complete sentences. Apply each term to the stimulus. Definitions alone will not score.

During his first year at university, Alex joins a study group with peers from his psychology class. The group meets weekly, and Alex notices that he often agrees with the group's interpretations of psychological theories, even when he initially had a different understanding. He also finds himself participating in group discussions less frequently over time, preferring to let others lead. One evening, the group debates the ethical implications of a famous psychological experiment, and although Alex feels uncomfortable with the majority opinion, he does not voice his dissent.

Based on the scenario described, how is Alex demonstrating each of the following concepts in his study group interactions?

Conformity

Group polarization

Social facilitation

As the semester progresses, Alex encounters a situation in his part-time job at a local bookstore. He observes that his manager tends to attribute a customer's complaint about poor service to the laziness of the employees rather than considering external factors like the store being unusually busy that day. Additionally, Alex finds himself falling prey to a cognitive bias when he overestimates the frequency of customer complaints, believing they happen more often than they actually do, after witnessing a few incidents in a short period of time.

Based on the extended scenario, how do each of the following concepts explain Alex's observations and experiences at his part-time job?

Fundamental attribution error

Availability heuristic

Confirmation bias