Group dynamics and team cohesion

What is a group?

Members with a shared goal and purpose

What is a team?

Members with a “we-ness“ and collective identity

What are the stages of team formation?

1. Forming

2. Storming

3. Norming

4. Performing

5. Adjourning

What are personal factors in the conceptual model of cohesion?

Individual differences within members of a team

What are environmental factors in the conceptual model of cohesion?

The support and responsibility given to a team

What are leadership factors in the conceptual model of cohesion?

Leadership style used and member’s personality

What are team factors in the conceptual model of cohesion?

• Team size

• Team stability

• Role clarity and acceptance

• Group communication

What are group outcome in the conceptual model of cohesion?

• Team stability

• Performance effectiveness

What are individual outcome in the conceptual model of cohesion?

• Behaviour and emotional consequences

• Performance effectiveness

What are the characteristics of cohesion?

• Multidimensional = numerous factors cause a group to stick together

• Dynamic = can change over time

• Instrumental = Different reasons groups stick together

What is task cohesion?

Degree to which members of a group work together towards a common goal

What is social cohesion?

Degree to which group members get along and enjoy each others company

What is the equation for actual productivity?

AP = Potential productivity - Faulty group processes

What is the Ringlemann effect?

Tendency of individuals to gradually reduce productivity as group size increases

What is social loafing?

The idea that an individual’s effort isn’t important for the outcome

How is social loafing caused?

• Minimising strategies = get away with as little effort as possible

• Perception that their effort isn’t important

• Allocation strategy = save effort for when most beneficial

• False perception that increased effort won’t be recognised

How can social loafing be counteracted?

• Provide roles/responsibilities

• Increase accountability

What is the cohesion-performance relationship?

• A cyclical relationship where both factors influence each other

• The overall relationship between performance and team cohesion is a positive 0.66

How can team cohesion be developed?

• Set group goals

• Improve communication

• Improve social cohesiveness

• Improve team distinctiveness and identity

What are the 2 senses of self?

• Personal identity = sense of self-associated with own personality “I and Me“

• Social identity = sense of self-associated with group memberships “We and Us“