9. Group Dynamics Flashcards
Group Dynamics:
Groups in PE & Sport
2 or more people, Working together toward common goal
Bound by traits
- Common fate/goals, mutual benefit, shared norms, interdependence
Definition by context
- Sport = generally formally defined
- Phys activity = can be less formal or temporary
Group Dynamics:
Conceptual Framework for Sport:
Founding Researcher
- Albert Carron; foremost expert on group dynamics
Group Dynamics
Conceptual Framework for Sport: 2 Influencing Factors
- Member Attributes
* what members bring to the table, can be positively or negatively regarded - Group Environment
* Not limited to phys environment, also overall climate
Both factors feed into group structure
Group Dynamics
Conceptual Framework for Sport: 3 Impacted Factors
- Group Structure
* Can change over time, but takes a lot of effort to change an established group structure
* Ex) team captain who believes in you or doesn’t can impact structure
–>
- Group Cohesion
* Different factors impact amount of cohesion (cliques, etc)
–>
- Group processes
* How they train, how they perform
Group Dynamics
Conceptual Framework for Sport: 2 Output Factors
- Individual Outcomes
- Team Outcomes
Group Dynamics
Conceptual Framework for Sport: Example
Dr. W collegiate swimteam
Beginning:
- Member Attributes: clear member attributes and role expectations
- Group environment: quite negative – initially very superficial, cordial
–>
Middle:
- Group structure: not supportive, high expectations
- Group cohesion: no trust, a lot of fear, talking behind people’s backs, coach aware but didn’t intervene
- Group processes: perception was they were supposed to win, but uneasy feelings
–>
End:
- Outcomes: holistically, very poor. Worst ever performances for some members.
Group Dynamics
Performance Related Behaviors: Founding Researchers
McEwan & Beauchamp
Group Dynamics
Performance Related Behaviors: Overview
- Preparation: goal setting, analytical activities/approaches
- Execution: communication and coordination
- Evaluation: actual performance vs. initial objectives, feedback, reflection
- Adjustment: developing strategies to overcome obstacles and challenges
Group Dynamics
Performance Related Behaviors: Examples
Preparation: goal setting, analytical activities/approaches
* Have goal to win + design on specifically how to win
* Analytical procedures can include:
o Watch opponents game film
o Watch own practice film
Execution: communication and coordination
* Communicating and coordinating game plan
o “know your job, do your job”
Evaluation: actual performance vs. initial objectives, feedback, reflection
* If it was a success, how was it a success
* If it wasn’t, what was failing
* Areas for improvement
* Revisiting original directions
- *if evaluation delivered negatively, diminishes desire to persist
Adjustment: developing strategies to overcome obstacles and challenges
* How will you approach the next game or next time you face that team
Group Dynamics
Group Structure
Individuals in a group have defined roles that are formal or informal
* can be focused around the task or achieving social harmony within the group
group norms are established
* expectations for the standards of behavior
Group Dynamics
Group Structure: Group Norm Examples in Sport & PE
in sport:
* how athletes interact with one another, how they communicate, how much effort they put forth, how they support one another
o i.e captain calling out lack of effort – sets norm that that accountability will exist in that way
in ex & pa:
* what to wear, what types of exercises to do
o expected attire at gym different than dress code, based on social influence of group norm
o specific machines are most popular
Group Dynamics
Cohesion
difficult to define –> abstract concept
“dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of its instrumental objectives and/or for the satisfaction of member affective needs”
- ‘satisfaction of affective needs’: what is salient to the person is satisfying to the person
- Ex: if dodgers series had been closer, would have been bummed that they didn’t dominate but would have needs satisfied that they rose up to the challenge
Group Dynamics
Cohesion: 4 Main Characteristics
- Multidimensional
- Dynamic
- Instrumental
- Affective
Group Dynamics
Cohesion Characteristic 1
Multidimensional:
Many factors contribute to cohesion, and vary from group to group
Group Dynamics
Cohesion Characteristic 2
Dynamic:
varies across time, not a stable attribute
* ex: player trades, graduations –> group composition changes
Group Dynamics
Cohesion Characteristic 3
Instrumental:
each group has its own reasons for forming and remaining together
* ex: sandlot movie, there are reasons for them coming together
Group Dynamics
Cohesion Characteristic 4
Affective:
cohesion is associated with positive affect
* i.e. keeps you coming back
* if negative affect, will increase chances of avoidance
Group Dynamics
Cohesion: Conceptual Framework
Each member holds perceptions about the team
- Ex) person who has won 1 championship vs 10 will have different perceptions
And how much the group satisfies his/her own personal needs and objectives
- Strength of these perceptions account for why groups stick together
——- Ex) standout athlete may be offered more money or better chance at championship on another team and decide to leave (individual needs and objectives)
Measurement includes:
- Individual attractions to the group
- Individual perceptions about own motivations to stay in group and how appealing the group is to be in
- i.e. important for the person to feel they want to be part of said group)
- task & social
—— Task: general goals of group
—— Social: social connection it affords them
—— Ex) ohtani meme - Group integration
- Perceptions about closeness, similarity, and bonding within group as a whole
- Task & social
—— Task:
——- Social:
Cohesion
Influencing Factors Overview
- Group size
- Competitive level
Cohesion
Influencing Factor: Group Size
- Cohesion can decrease as group size increase
- Possibly due to lack of ability to communicate or coordinate effectively
- Larger groups = more absences, less participation, greater disagreements
- *depends on specific sport and task
Cohesion
Influencing Factor: Competitive Level
- Social cohesion can decrease as competitive level increases
- task cohesion can increase as competitive level increases
- social cohesion more prevalent at younger age levels
Cohesion
Cohesion & Performance
social cohesion can be beneficial for performance, but not always necessary
* ex) German rowing teams 1960s: poor interpersonal relationships and team conflict, still won championship
* ex) Carli Lloyd and polarizing political views
sometimes unsuccessful teams have better social cohesion
* if focus is too much on social aspect, task can be ignored
social cohesion may impact performance indirectly through these more direct outcomes:
* satisfaction
* adherence
* enjoyment
Group Processes
Coordination
- many team sports require coordinated actions ot be successful
- coordination: “arranging team members’ actions so that, when they are combined, they are in suitable relation for the most effective result”
Group Processes
Dimensions of Coordination
type + timing + location
the right type of action, has to be timed appropriately, and done in the correct place
synchronized & sequential
* synchronized: diving, swimming, etc
* sequential: passing in soccer, offensive plays – each person required to perform own differing role, but in succession or together
