4 - Group Dynamics + Team Cohesion

Why Study Group Dynamics?

1. Groups are pervasive

2. Highly influential

3. Possibilities for research

Difference Between Groups + Teams

Becoming a Team - Linear Perspective (Tuckman & Jenkins 1977)

Conceptual Model of Cohesion (Carron 1982)

Characteristics of Cohesion

Types of Cohesion

1. Task - degree to which members of a group work together to achieve a common goal

2. Social - degree to which members of a group like each other enjoy one another’s company

3. Attraction to group

4. Group integration

Conceptual Framework of Group Effectiveness (Steiner 1972)

Group Process Losses - Ringlemann Effect

Tendency for individual members of a group to become increasingly less productive as the size of the group increases

How to Enhance Group Cohesion

1. Social loaf - bigger group, less effort

2. Co-ordination loss - bigger group, harder to coordinate

Causes of Social Loafing

1. Free Rider - perception that their effort is unimportant for outcome

2. Minimise Strat - motivated to get by doing as little as possible

3. Allocation Strat - save best efforts for when beneficial to self

4. False perception that Increased effort won’t be recognised

Counteracting Social Loafing (Carron (1988)

1. Emphasise importance of individual contribution

2. Increase accountability

Group Environment Questionnaire (Widmeyer, Brawley, Carron 1985)

1. Individual v Group

2. Task + Social Cohesion

3. Reliable, valid measure

• Measures peoples reason’s to be apart of the group

Antecedents - Team (squad) Size

1. SC highest for 6

2. TC best for 3

3. Performance worst for 9

Antecedents - Role Clarity + Acceptance

1. Formal Roles

   • Dictacted by nature of organisation

   • Specific team/tactical roles

2. Informal Roles

   • Evolve from group dynamics

Antecedents - Team Stability

1. Low turnover = more effective

Cohesion-Performance Relationship

1. Team Cohesion = Better Performance

Developing Team Cohesion (Carron 1997, 2007)

1. Increase team identity

2. Increase SC

3. Clarify team goals

4. Improve team communication

Enhancing Group Cohesion

Science of Togetherness - Self Categorisation Theory (Turner et al 1987, 1994)

Shared Sense of ‘Us’

1. Turner - Group values/norms drive cognition + behaviour

2. Slater - shared values between leaders & followers are the basis for group members mobilisation of effort

Power of Personal Disclosure Mutual Sharing (PDMS) for Wellbeing

where individuals within a team disclose personal experiences, including challenges, successes, and values

Using PDMS

PDMS in Football

1. Foreign players lack togetherness + effective communications

Summary