group dynamics

Question 1

what is a group

Answer 1

two or more individuals interacting with each other who all have a common goal

Question 2

what is team cohesion

Answer 2

• the dynamic force which links teams together
• the motivation which attracts individuals to the group and the resistance of those members to the group breaking up
• it has 2 dimensions

Question 3

what are the 2 dimensions for cohesion

Answer 3

• group integration - how the individual members of the group feel about the group as a whole
• individual attraction to the group - how attracted the individuals are to the group

Question 4

what are the theories for group performance

Answer 4

• Steiner’s model
• the Ringelmann effect
• social loafing

Question 5

what is the equation for Steiner’s model

Answer 5

actual productivity = potential productivity - loses due to faulty group processes

Question 6

what is potential productivity (SM)

Answer 6

the best possible performance of the group

Question 7

what are faulty group processes (SM)

Answer 7

• lack of coordination - if timing + coordination don’t match, team performance will suffer
• loss of motivation - different levels of motivation amongst the team can cause problems

Question 8

what are sporting examples for lack of coordination (SM)

Answer 8

• e.g. poor communication/timing during set piece in football, resulting in the pass being incomplete + losing the ball
• e.g. poor communication in football defensive backline, leading to the attacker not being offside + goal scores
• e.g. tennis doubles, both players calling for the ball + hitting into each other or both leave the ball and no one hits it
• e.g. synchronised swimming/diving + dance, out of time/turn in wrong direction leads to a messy performance and worse score

Question 9

what are examples of loss of motivation (SM)

Answer 9

• e.g. a rower in a team not pulling with full force because they don’t feel they are getting any recognition/praise
• e.g. a football team not all tracking back to defend, leaving players and space unmarked and a goal scored
• e.g. in a tug of war, not all performers contributing the same amount + relying on others, therefore less successful

Question 10

what is the Ringelmann Effect

Answer 10

• when the performance of each individual in a group decreases, the group size increases (as the group size increases, individual performance in a group decreases)
• he used the example of men pulling a rope and found the larger the group the less effort each individual exerts
• due to coordination + motivation problems –> Steiner’s model, and also due to social loafing

Question 11

what is social loafing

Answer 11

• when some individuals in a group lose motivation caused by the individual losing identity when placed in a group
• individual efforts may not be recognised by those who are spectating or by those taking part
• social loafing is undesirable + should be eliminated as far a possible