Foundations of Group Behavior - Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering the foundations of group behavior, including types of groups, social identity, development models, roles, norms, status, and group decision-making processes.

Group

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

Formal groups

Groups defined by the organization's structure.

Informal groups

Alliances that are neither formally structured nor organizationally determined.

Social identity theory

A theory that considers when and why individuals consider themselves members of groups, often tying self-esteem to group performance.

Relational identification

When individuals connect with others because of their specific roles, such as teacher-student or client-consultant.

Collective identification

When individuals connect with the aggregate characteristics of their groups.

Ingroup

People who are perceived to share a social identity with an individual.

Outgroup

People from different groups whom individuals do not identify with.

Punctuated-equilibrium model

A model of group development specifically for temporary groups with deadlines that involves phases of inertia and a transition midpoint.

Phase 1 (Punctuated-Equilibrium)

A period of inertia following the first meeting where the team follows the initial plan with little re-examination.

Midpoint Transition

A point occurring at $\frac{1}{2}$ of allotted time that acts as an alarm clock, leading to the questioning of old patterns and creation of new plans.

Phase 2 (Punctuated-Equilibrium)

A period of new equilibrium where the team implements a revised plan with relatively stable behavior.

Forming

The first stage of group development in which people join and define the group's purpose, structure, and leadership.

Storming

The second stage of group development, characterized by intragroup conflict.

Norming

The third stage of group development, characterized by close relationships and cohesiveness.

Performing

The fourth stage of group development when the group is fully functional and works on the group task.

Adjourning

The final stage of group development for temporary groups, focused on wrapping up activities rather than task performance.

Role

A set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone occupying a given position in a social unit.

Role perception

An individual's perception of how they are supposed to act in a given situation.

Role expectations

How others believe a person should act in a given situation.

Psychological contract

An unwritten agreement between employees and employer that sets out mutual expectations.

Role Ambiguity

A situation involving unclear expectations, goals, or responsibilities.

Role Conflict

A situation involving incompatible expectations from different people or roles.

Role Overload

When the demands of a role exceed the time, energy, or skills available to an individual.

Norms

Acceptable standards of behavior within a group that are shared by the group’s members.

Status

A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others.

Status characteristics theory

A theory stating that status is derived from the power a person wields, their ability to contribute to goals, or personal characteristics.

Social loafing

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

Cohesiveness

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

Groupthink

Situations where group pressures for conformity deter the group from critically appraising unusual, minority, or unpopular views.

Groupshift

Also known as group polarization; a change between a group’s decision and the individual decision that a member within the group would make.

Illusion of Invulnerability

A characteristic of groupthink where members feel overly confident and believe nothing can go wrong.

Self-Censorship

A characteristic of groupthink where members with doubts remain silent.

Illusion of Unanimity

The interpretation of silence as full agreement within a group.

Mindguards

Individuals who filter information to protect the group from dissent or bad news.

Brainstorming

A decision-making technique where members 'free-wheel' as many alternatives as possible without criticism to stimulate ideas.

Nominal group technique

A method that restricts discussion during decision making, requiring members to independently write and rank ideas while physically present.

Mutual trust

A characteristic of effective teams where members believe in each other's ability, character, and integrity.

Unified commitment

Dedication to the team's goals and a willingness to expend extraordinary energy to achieve them.