08_Work Teams and Groups Flashcards
Three Factors that Influence Conformity to Group norms
Task Demands
Group characteristics
Participation in Defining Norms
4 Characteristics of Situations that Increase Conformity
Ambiguous
Highly complex
Involves problem with no solution
Require collaboration to achieve common goal
Conformity to Group norms:
Consensus
Conformity increases as consensus increases
*A single dissenter can significantly lower conformity
Conformity to Group norms:
Effect of Participation in Defining Norms
Increased conformity to norms when members have helped define them
When can a member violate group norms and not be faced with disapproval or rejection?
When they have “Idiosyncrasy Credits”:
Prestige, status, and respect by functioning competently in the group or as group leader
Three Factors That Influence Group Cohesiveness
Group size (5 - 10 = most effective)
Homogeneity
Shared Goals
Steiner’s 5 types of Group Tasks
Additive
Compensatory
Disjunctive
Conjunctive
Discretionary
Additive Task
Individual contributions of group members
are added together to form the product
Compensatory Task
Inputs of members are averaged together
to fit a single product
Disjunctive Task
Group member select the solution
offered by 1 of the group members
(Ideally, that of the best member)
Conjunctive Task
Group’s overall performance is limited
by the worst-performing member
Discretionary Task
Group members decide how to
combine the contributions of individual members
Tasks on which Group performance is superior to individual performance
Additive
Compensatory
Tasks on which productivity is equal to performance of the worst member
Conjunctive tasks
Tasks that depend on how effectively the contributions of group members are combined
Discretionary tasks
Group Performance:
Two Main Factors That Affect Productivity
Cohesiveness
Performance-related Norms
Group Performance:
Type of tasks better suited for heterogenous groups
Complex tasks
Tasks that require create creativity
Group Performance:
Type of tasks better suited for homogenous groups
Simple tasks
Tasks that require cooperation and quick action
Social Loafing
When an individual exerts less effort as a group member then they would if working alone
Factors that increase likelihood of Social Loafing
When a group members:
know their contributions will not be recognized
or
believe that outcomes do not depend on their effort
*Also occurs with increased group size
Individual Performance:
Social Facilitation
When the mere presence of others increases task performance (of Predominant Behavior)
**Most likely to occur when task is simple or well learned
Individual Performance:
Social Inhibition
Presence of others decreases performance
More likely when task is complex or new
5 Stages of Group Development
Tuckman and Jensen
Forming stage
Storming stage
Norming stage
Performing stage
Adjourning stage
Centralized Communication Network
All communication must pass through a central person or position (wheel; the Y; chain)
More efficient for simple tasks
Central person is likely to be satisfied
Decentralized Communication Network
Information flows freely between members without going through a central person (circle; all-channel)
Better for complex tasks
Provides greater flexibility and exchange of ideas
Increases satisfaction of all participants
