definitions ch 9/10

group

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

Formal groups

those defined by the organization’s structure. 

Informal groups

alliances that are neither formally structured nor organizationally determined 

Social identity theory

considers when and why individuals consider themselves members of groups

Relational identification

because of our roles 

Collective identification

because of the group characteristics 

ingroup

people who share their social identity

outgroup

people from different groups

Role

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

Role perception

one’s perception of how to act in a given situation

Role expectations

how others believe one should act in a given situation. 

Psychological contract

unwritten agreement between employer and employees that sets implied behavioral expectations 

Role conflict

situation in which an individual faces divergent role expectations.

Norms

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

Norms and Emotions 

Norms can dictate the experience of emotions for the individuals and for the groups—in other words, people grow to interpret their shared emotions in the same way. 

Norms and Behavior 

Group members influence each other's emotions and behaviors. An individual's emotions can affect the group's emotions, and the group's emotions can also affect the individual.

Hawthorne Studies

group’s performance was significantly influenced by its status as “special.” (reacting to the increased attention)

How do positive norms affect group outcomes?

encourage employees to behave in ways that support the organization's values. When more employees follow these norms, the norms become stronger, leading to better teamwork, ethical behavior, and overall organizational success.

whats the highest reason in the Gallup Poll employees do not report unethical behavior?

thought no action would be taken

Status

a socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others. (not authority) 

Status characteristics theory

status is derived from:

• The power a person wields over others. 

• A person’s ability to contribute to a group’s goals. 

• An individual’s personal characteristics. 

Status and Norms

high status individuals often have more freedom to deviate from norms

Status and Group Interaction

high status people are often more assertive.

Status Inequity

perceived inequity creates disequilibrium and can lead to resentment and corrective behavior. 

Strengths of group decision making

• More complete information and knowledge 

• Increased diversity of views 

• Increased acceptance of solutions 

Weaknesses of group decision making

• Time consuming 

• Conformity pressures 

• Dominance of a few members 

• Ambiguous responsibility 

Groupthink

situations in which group pressures for conformity deter the group from critically appraising unusual, minority, or unpopular views. 

Groupshift

a change between a group’s decision and an individual decision that a member within the group would make. Group members exaggerate their initial positions and the groups shifts toward a more extreme position 

nominal group technique

restricts discussion or interpersonal communication during the decision making process

3 things that effect teams ability to be effective

composition

content

processes and states

Process

procedures, activities, and behaviors, and team states including collective emotional, attitudinal, or motivational states such as member commitment to a common plan and purpose, motivation, team efficacy, team identity, team cohesion, mental models, conflict, social loafing, and trust 

What are the two characteristics of effective teams?

Team Processes – what the team does

Team States – how the team feels

What are team processes?

• Common Plan & Purpose

• Reflexivity

• Mental Models

• Team Conflict

• Social Loafing

What are team states?

Motivation

Team Efficacy

Team Identity

Team Cohesion

Team Trust