group dynamics-§§

Question 1

what is a groupn

Answer 1

A collection of people (2+) who share similar goals and interact with one another

Question 2

what does a group usually involve

Answer 2

Collective identity
- Common goal
- Shared purpose
- Group unity
- Structured patterns of communication

Question 3

what is social loafing

Answer 3

When some individuals in the group lose motivation and do not contribute fully to the group task

Question 4

what is cohesiveness

Answer 4

the total field of forces which act on members to remain in the group

Question 5

what are the 2 dimensions of carrons model of cohesion

Answer 5

group intergration

individual attraction

Question 6

what is group integration

Answer 6

how the individual members of the group feel about the group as a whole

Question 7

what is individual attraction

Answer 7

how attracted the individuals are to the grouo

Question 8

what are the 4 stges of the model of group development

Answer 8

forming
storming
norming
performing

Question 9

what are the characteristics of forming

Answer 9

High dependence on the leader for guidance & direction.

Group members start to get to know each other.

Little agreement on aims.

Roles are unclear and leader must give strong direction.

Question 10

what are the characterisitics of storming

Answer 10

Group decisions are difficult.

Members jostle for position and attempts to establish themselves against each other, and may potentially challenge leaders.

Clearer focus and stronger sense of purpose (some uncertainty)

Cliques and power struggles may form.

The team needs to focus on goals to avoid being drawn into power struggles.

Question 11

what are the characteristics of norming

Answer 11

More agreement and consensus on opinion of the team.

Roles and responsibilities are clearer and generally accepted.

Decisions increasingly made through agreement.

Less important decisions are delegated.

Stronger sense of commitment, unity and group become more social.

General respect for the leader.

Question 12

what are the characterisitics of performing

Answer 12

clear strategies, visions and aims.

No interference or direct participation from the leader (teams don’t need instruction)

Focus on achieving goals and the team makes decisions.

Team members are trusted to get on with the task.

Disagreements are resolved positively.

Team members may ask for assistance from the leader on personal issues.

Question 12

what is the equation for actual productivity

Answer 12

potential productivity - losses due to faulty process

Question 13

what is the ringlemann effect

Answer 13

individual performance decreases as group size increases

Question 14

what are the 2 faulty processes

Answer 14

coordination losses
motivation losses

Question 15

why might you get motivational losses

Answer 15

Individual efforts not recognised

Injury, illness or fatigue

Lack of incentives to work together

Too high a level of competition

Negative effects of others or criticisms from team-mates

Environmental stressors

Question 16

give some strategies to eliminate social loafing

Answer 16

highlight individual performances
- support others in the team
- feedback
- peer pressure to reinforce individual efforts

Question 17

what is coordination problems

Answer 17

if coordination and timing of team members do not match team will suffer

Question 18

what ia motivation problems

Answer 18

if individual members of a team are not motovated to same extent pull in different directions