group dynamics q3 prelims

group decision-making

occurs when two or more individuals interact to analtze info, discuss options, and reach a collective decision

ex. committees, juries, teams

- more info and perspectives

-better problem analysis

-greater acceptance and commitment

- creativity and innovation

advantages of group decision making

more info and perspectives

members contribute diverse knowledge, skills, and experience

better problem analysis

errors are more likely to be detected through discussion and debate

greater acceptance and commitment

people are more likely to support decisions they helped make

creativity and innovation

brainstorming can generate more and better ideas than individuals alone

- time consuming

- group think

- social loafing

- dominance of strong personalities

disadvantages of group decision-making

time-consuming

reaching consensus can take longer than individual decisions

groupthink

desire for harmony leads to poor decisions and suppression of dissert

social loafing

some members exert less effort, relying on others

ringelmann effect

dominance of strong personalities

assertive or high-status members may overpower others

- brainstorming

- nominal group technique

- delphi technique

- debil's advocate

techniques to improve group decisions

conflict

occurs when the actions, goals, or interests of individuals or groups are incompatible

intrapersonal conflict

conflict within an individual

(ex. choosing between two careers)

interpersonal conflict

conflict between individuals (Ex. disagreement between coworkers)

intergroup conflict

conflict between groups (ex. rivalry between teams or communities)

- competition for scarce resources

- differences in values, beliefs, or goals

- poor communication

- misinterpretation and stereotypes

- power and status differences

causes of conflict

negativ effects and positive effects (when managed well)

effects of conflict

negative effects of conflict

- stress, hostility, breakdown of relationships

- reduced productivity and poor decision-making

positive effects of conflict

(when managed well)

- clarifies problems

- encourages critical thinking

- leads to better solutions

cooperation

occurs when individuals or groups work together to achieve shared goals

- mutual trust

- open communication

- shared responsibility

- coordination of efforts

characteristics of cooperation

- improved group performance

- stronger relationships

- increased motivation

- higher group morale

benefits of cooperation

- realistic conflict theory

- social identity theory

- game theory

theoretical explanations of conflict and cooperation

realistic conflict theory

MUZAFER SHERIF

- conflict arises when groups compete for limited or scarce resources

- intergroup conflict

- shared or superordinate goals = reduced conflict and increased cooperation

(ex. two groups competing for the same job opportunities may develop hostility, but cooperation increases when they must work together to achieve a common goal)

social identity theory

HENRI TAJFEL and JOHN TURNER

- conflict as a result of in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination

- individuals derive self-esteem from group membership

favoring one's own grp leads to bias and conflict toward other groups

-conflict can occur even without competition for resource

(Ex. students favoring their own school or group and showing prejudice against others)

game theory

JOHN VON NEUMANN and OSKAR MORGENSTERN

- analyzes decision-making in situations where outcomes depend on the choices of others. it explains both cooperation and conflict

- individuals act based on self-interest

- lack of trust often leads to non-cooperation

key model: the prisoner's dilemma game

prisoner's dilemma shows:

- cooperation benefits everyone

- fear of being exploited leads to defection

- results in conflict, even when cooperation is the better option

it is a game theory model that explains how individuals may choose competition over cooperation even when cooperation would benefit all

merrill flood

melvin dresher (1950, at the RAND corporation)

prisoner's dilemma was formulated by?

albert w. tucker

the store and name "prisoner's dilemma" were later popularized by ______ who framed it in the prsion-confession scenario

- rational self-interest leads each prisoner to confess

- this results in a worse outcome for both, compared to mutual cooperation

why is the prisoner's dilemma important?

- why conflict can occur even when cooperation is beneficial

- lack of trust in social situations

- decision-making under uncertainty

- intergroup and interpersonal conflict

the prisoner's dilemma explains:

- cooperation vs competition

- trust

- mutual interdependence

- fear of exploitation

key concepts related to prisoner's dilemma

- communication and negotiation

- mediation

- superordinate goals

-building empathy and trust

- fair distribution of resources

managing conflict and promoting cooperation

group performance

the quality and effectiveness of a group's output when members work collectively

group size

small grps - better coordination

large groups- more resources but more coordination problems

group composition

diversity in skills, knowledge, and perspectives improve performance

group roles

clear roles increase efficiency and reduce conflict

leadership

effective leadership improves direction, motivation, and coordination

communication

open and clear communication enhance decision-making and performance

group productivity

refers to the amount of output produced by a group in a given time

- motivation

- coordination

- cohesiveness

- norms

factors influencing productivity

motivation

high ____ increases effort and output

coordination

poor ____ reduces productivity despite high individual ability

cohesiveness

- moderate ____ improves productivity

- excessive cohesiveness may lead to groupthinl

norms

performance-oriented ____ increase productivity

- social facilitation

- social loafing

- synergy

- coordination loss

common group effects

social facilitation

presence of other improves performance on simple or well learned tasks

impairs performance on complex or new tasks (Zajonc)

synergy

group output is greater than the sum of individual efforts

coordination loss

productivity decreases due to poor organization and communication

superordinate goals

shared goals

- set clear goals

- assign specific roles

- encourage individual accountability

- improve communication

- provide feedback and incentives

improving grp performance and productivity