Group Dynamics and Audience Effects

Vocabulary flashcards covering stages of group development, Steiner’s model, productivity losses, social facilitation theories, and strategies for performing in front of crowds.

Forming Stage

The initial phase of group formation where members gather, roles are unclear, goals are undeveloped, and the leader provides strong direction.

Storming Stage

The second phase marked by conflict, competition for roles, difficulty making decisions, and formation of cliques.

Norming Stage

The third phase in which agreement grows, roles are accepted, unity strengthens, and decisions are made collaboratively.

Performing Stage

The final phase where clear goals exist, cohesion is high, leadership intervention is minimal, and the team operates efficiently.

Steiner's Model of Group Performance

Theory stating Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity – Losses due to faulty processes.

Potential Productivity

The best possible group performance based on member abilities and available resources.

Faulty Processes

Coordination and motivation problems that reduce a group’s potential productivity.

Coordination Losses

Performance declines caused by difficulties synchronizing team members’ actions.

Ringelmann Effect

Tendency for individual effort to drop as group size increases, producing coordination loss.

Motivation Losses

Reductions in group output that occur when members’ drive to contribute diminishes.

Social Loafing

Loss of motivation leading individuals to exert less effort in a group than when alone.

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.

Social Inhibition

Decline in performance on complex or unfamiliar tasks when others are present.

Drive Theory of Social Facilitation

Idea that audience presence raises arousal, eliciting an athlete’s dominant response.

Evaluation Apprehension Theory

Proposes arousal rises only when performers believe the audience is judging them.

Home Advantage Effect

Performance boost enjoyed by home teams due to supportive crowds and familiar settings.

Proximity Effect

Influence of how physically close spectators are; nearer crowds intensify arousal.

Distraction-Conflict Theory

States that audiences divide attention, helping simple tasks but harming complex ones.

Passive Others

Quiet, non-interacting spectators whose mere presence can still affect performance.

Interactive Others

Active supporters or co-actors (e.g., opponents) whose behavior directly engages performers.

Selective Attention

Concentrating on task-relevant cues while ignoring audience distractions.

Mental Rehearsal

Imagining successful performance to improve focus and control arousal before crowds.

Positive Self-Talk

Encouraging inner dialogue used to block negative thoughts and build confidence in front of an audience.