Define group. What is it? What is it not?
- 2 or more persons interacting in such a manner that each person influences and is influenced by each other
- Not simply a crowd of people
- Characterized by purposeful interaction in goal oriented and/or interpersonal behavior
What are the factors that separate a group from a random gathering?
Degree of attraction, commitment, and involvement of the individual members related to the collective totality
Define cohesion.
A dynamic vs. static process that is reflected in the group’s tendency to stick together and remain united while pursuing its goals and objectives
Where does the word “cohesion” come from?
Latin word “cohaesus” = “to cleave or stick together”
What are the dimensions of group cohesion?
- Social cohesion
- Task cohesion
Define social cohesion.
Degree to which the members of a team like each other and enjoy each other’s company
Define task cohesion.
- Degree to which members of a group work together to achieve a specific and identifiable task
- “being on the same page”
List & define the determinants of cohesion.
- Cooperation = choice, consideration of team
- Stability = team tenure (how long team stays together)
- Homogeneity = how alike team members are
- Success = creates more cohesion
List the models of team cohesion.
- Pendular
- Linear
- Life-cycle
Explain the Pendular Model of Cohesion.
- Always moving on a spectrum between more cohesive & less cohesive
- Changes from day to day
- Can change quickly
Explain the Linear Model of Cohesion.
- Forming = meeting & getting to know peeps
- Storming = figuring out group hierarchy
- Norming = norms established; putting things into motion
- Performing = doing all the things they’ve practiced
What situations can alter the Linear Model of Cohesion? How so?
- Injury, sickness –> people need to switch roles
- Tenure –> team composition changes
- Coaches, admin
- New strategies
- Opponents
Explain the Life-Cycle Model of Cohesion.
- “Cradle to grave”
- “Birth to death”
What are the different types of sport?
- Interactive = requires team members to work together to achieve success and team goals (basketball, soccer, water polo)
- Co-active = doesn’t require member interaction (golf, archery, combat, skiing)
- Mixed Co-acting-Interacting = football, baseball/softball
What are the factors that influence team cohesion?
- Group size = Ringelmann effect
- Task = opponent, stakes
- Team tenure
- Satisfaction = can be a cause or effect of cohesion
Explain the Ringelmann effect.
- Tug of War example
- 1 person = 100%
- 2 people = 93%
- 3 people = 85%
- 4 people = 49%
- In larger groups, a person’s contribution is masked
- “social loafing”
What is the role of coaches/leaders in cohesion?
- Gatekeepers in cohesion
- Influence the ebbs and flows of team dynamics
When is cohesion not always positive?
- When it is overdone
- Forcing team bonding
