Chapter 09 Team Dynamics and Cohesion

Chapter 9: Team Dynamics and Cohesion

Objectives

• Understand group structure and create an effective team climate.

• Maximize individual performance in team sports.

• Understand social loafing and conditions of occurrence.

• Define task and social cohesion, and the cohesion-performance relationship.

• Identify guidelines for building team cohesion.

Importance of Studying Groups

• Essential for positions in sports and exercise fields.

• Notable quotes:

  • Pat Riley: "Teamwork is the essence of life."

  • Michael Jordan: "Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships."

• Importance of closeness and sacrifice for team success, as illustrated by the Chicago Cubs.

Definition of a Group

• Characteristics:

  • Collective sense of identity.

  • Distinctive roles among members.

  • Structured modes of communication.

  • Established group norms.

Distinction between Groups and Teams

• Members have common goals and attraction.

• Key Characteristics of a Team:

  • Collective sense of identity ("we-ness").

  • Distinctive roles defined for all members.

  • Structured communication channels.

  • Norms guiding member behavior.

Understanding Teamwork

• Definition: Dynamic process of collaborative efforts by team members to maximize success.

Components of Teamwork

• Team Maintenance:

  • Psychological support.

  • Conflict management.

• Regulation of Team Performance:

  • Preparation, Execution, Evaluation, Adjustments.

Theories of Group Development

1. Linear Perspective:

   • Stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing.

2. Cyclical Perspective:

   • Groups go through a life cycle: birth, growth, and decline.

3. Pendular Perspective:

   • Non-linear growth with shifts in interpersonal relationships.

   • Stages: Orientation, Differentiation & Conflict, Resolution, and Termination.

Social Support in Teams

• Importance of effective social support, particularly for those lacking it.

• Factors influencing support effectiveness:

  • Match to the situation.

  • Context such as performance settings.

  • Timing and expertise level of supporter.

Creating an Effective Team Climate

• Key Elements:

  • Proximity between members for better interaction.

  • Distinctiveness felt by the group.

  • Similarity among team members.

  • Task interdependence affecting collective outcomes.

Concepts in Organizational Sport Psychology

• Focus on creating positive sports environments:

  • Leadership, Organizational resilience, Stress management.

Ringelmann Effect and Social Loafing

• Ringelmann Effect: Individual performance decreases with increased group size.

• Social Loafing: Individuals exert less effort due to diminished motivation.

Conditions Increasing Social Loafing

• Lack of independent evaluation.

• Task perceived as meaningless.

• Low personal involvement.

• Impossibility of comparing individual contributions.

• Presence of strangers in the group.

Strategies to Reduce Social Loafing

• Emphasize unique contributions and pride.

• Enhance identifiability of contributions.

• Identify situations where loafing occurs.

• Conduct individual performance discussions.

• Make smaller team units for accountability.

Understanding Group Cohesion

• Definition: Dynamic process where a group sticks together for common goals (Carron et al., 1998).

• Important for participation, motivation, and performance in sports.

• Types:

  • Task Cohesion: Collaboration towards common objectives.

  • Social Cohesion: Interpersonal attractions among members.

Factors Influencing Cohesion

• Enhanced team satisfaction leads to increased cohesion.

• Higher cohesion correlates with conformity pressure.

• Injuries may affect interactions within the group.

• Positive social support boosts cohesion evaluations.

• Longer-lasting teams show greater stability and cohesion.

Strategies for Enhancing Cohesion

• Exercise Settings: Higher cohesion yields fewer dropouts and punctuality.

• Sport Settings: High cohesion teams exhibit higher stability and performance.

• Important strategies:

  • Facilitate group distinctiveness.

  • Clarify roles and norms.

  • Encourage sacrifices and cooperation.

Building Cohesion in Exercise Classes

• Develop shared team values for trust and clarity in achieving goals.

Guidelines for Team Leaders to Build Cohesion

• Communicate effectively and define roles.

• Foster pride within subunits and set challenging goals.

• Encourage identity while mitigating cliques.

• Implement transformational leadership and reduce turnover.

Guidelines for Group Members to Enhance Cohesion

• Foster relationships and encourage group support.

• Maintain open communication with leaders.

• Commit fully to group efforts and responsibilities.