Groups & Teams

Group

Two or more people interacting and interdependent, who come together to achieve particular objectives.

Formal groups

Organizational structure with designated work assignments; behaviors are stipulated by organizational goals.

Informal groups

Neither formally structured nor organizationally determined; natural formations in work environments.

Stages of group development

A model consisting of five stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning.

Forming

The first stage of group development characterized by a period of uncertainty.

Storming

The stage of intragroup conflict where members jockey for roles.

Norming

The stage where cohesiveness develops, differences are resolved, and expectations align.

Performing

The stage where the group is fully functional and focuses on the task at hand.

Adjourning

The optional stage of disbandment in group development.

Punctuated-Equilibrium Model

Describes how groups exhibit long periods of inertia disrupted by brief revolutionary changes.

Group roles

Sets of expected behavior patterns attributed to an individual in a group.

Role perception

An individual's view of how to act in a given situation.

Role expectation

How others believe one should act in a given situation.

Role conflict

When an individual is confronted with divergent role expectations.

Group norms

An acceptable standard of behavior within a group that is shared by group members.

Conformity

Adjusting one’s behavior to align with the group.

Reference groups

Groups that individuals are aware of and identify with or aspire to be part of.

Group status

Socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members.

Status characteristic theory

Status is derived from power to influence, ability to contribute, and personal characteristics.

Social loafing

The tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually.

Ringelmann effect

The phenomenon where individuals slacken effort when part of a group.

Group cohesiveness

The degree to which group members are attracted to each other and motivated to remain in the group.

High cohesiveness

If performance norms are high, cohesive groups are more productive.

Low cohesiveness

If performance norms are low, cohesive groups are less productive.