Chapter 1: Introduction to group dynamics Flashcards
d: group
two or more individuals connected by and within social relationships
what are the four basic types of groups?
Primary group, social group, collectives, social category
d: primary group
small, personal, meaningful groups, for example family or close friend group
d: social group
formal, goal-oriented groups, for example work groups
d: collective
large aggregation that display similarities in action and/or outlook
d: social category
members share some common attributes
what distinguishes one group from another?
composition, boundaries, size, interaction, interdependence, structure, goals, origin, unity, entitativity
d: entitativity
perception of “groupness”
d: group dynamics
interpersonal processes that occur in and between groups over time
name the different processes that are included in group dynamics
formative processes, influence processes, performance processes, conflict processes, contextual processes
d: social capital
the amount of social connections/relationships and individual/group has that yields positive, productive benefits
d: social identity
the memberships to a group that individuals use to create a sense of self
d: stereotype
socially shared set of qualities, characteristics and behavioral expectations ascribed to a particular group or category of people
d: social network
a set of interpersonally interconnected individuals or groups
d: task interaction
the group members adjust themselves and their role in the group to, in the best way possible according to them, reach the common goal.
d: relationship interaction
the group members adjust themselves and their actions in order to influence the strength of the emotional bonds with other group members, or to change the relationships nature, for example the power dynamic within the group
d: interdependence
when one individual’s experiences, outcomes, thoughts, and feelings, are to some degree influenced by other people
d: group structure
how the group is organized regarding the members, their interactions and their relations with one another.
d: role
a set of behaviors, characteristics, and responsibilities expected of people who occupy a certain position within a group
d: norm
a consensual and often implicit standard that describes what behaviors should and should not be performed in a given context
There are planned and emergent groups. Name the two types of planned groups and explain what they are, and give examples of these groups.
Concocted groups: planned by individuals or authorities outside of the group. For example: military squad, flight crew.
Founded groups: planned by one or more individuals who remain within the group. For example: a study group, a small start-up company, a grassroots community action group.
d: planned group
groups that are deliberately formed by its members or an external authority for some purpose. They tend to be task-focused and formal. They are founded (sv: grundade). There are clear limits to who is in and not in the group. There is no emotional depth in this type of group
There are planned and emergent groups. Name the two types of emergent groups and explain what they are, and give examples of these groups.
Circumstantial groups: emergent, unplanned groups that arise when external, situational forces set the stage for people to join together, often temporarily , in a unified group. For example: a group of travelers stranded together when their bus breaks, a mob breaking shop windows.
Self-organizing groups: emerge when interacting individuals gradually align their activities in a cooperative system of interdependence. Examples: parties, surfers waiting for waves, drivers leaving a crowded parking lot through a single exit, a half dozen adolescents who hang out together.
d: emergent groups
Groups that came into existence spontaneously when individuals join together in the same physical location or gradually over time as individuals find themselves repeatedly interacting with the same set of individuals. These groups are found (sv: hittade). Such groups often have unclear boundaries, for they allow members to come and go.
d: group cohesion
The solidarity or unity of a group resulting from the development of strong and mutual bonds among members and group-level forces that unify the group, such as shared commitment to group goals and/or a feeling of pride and mutual loyalty shared by members of the group.
d: fundamental attribution error
the tendency to overestimate the causal influence of dispositional factors while underemphasizing the causal influence of situational factors.
