Chapter 13 Groups And attributes Of Human Groups

Question 1

Define group

Answer 1

a collection of elements that share particular attributes and or relate to one another in specific ways.

Question 2

What is group structure

Answer 2

Group is made of elements and groups characteristic come from its elements.

Membership of a group is determined by characteristics of group

Elements that form part of a group share certain characteristics and are related to each other.

Question 3

What is group process

Answer 3

Process means that a group evolves in a certain direction over time.

Involves interaction among elements of a group

Some elements may interact more strongly than other which may exert a dominant influence on the direction in which the group progresses

Question 4

Define human group

Answer 4

A human group exists when people define themselves as a member of a group and when the existence of its group is recognised by others who don’t consider themselves members of that group.

Question 5

What are the 10 attributes of groups identified by jordaan and swart

Answer 5

Awareness of group membership
Interaction among members
Common goals 
Cohesiveness
Socio metric structure
Group norms 
Group polarisation 
Group think 
Group conflict
Patterns of leadership and followship

Question 6

What is meant by human membership in terms of structures of human group

Answer 6

Members need to be aware that they are in a group and belong to it by having things in common

They believe that the benefits of being in a group outweigh the disadvantages and become more committed to the group and socially more integrated into it.

Question 7

What are group norms

Answer 7

They are shared expectations about the kinds of behaviour that are required by all group members and are rules that prescribe and forbid certain behaviours to be a group member

They put pressure on group members to conform and determine group membership.

They originate from

1. Formulated by group leaders
2. The product of group experience
3. Transferred from other groups

Question 8

What is group cohesion

Answer 8

It refers to the strengths of the relationship among group members.

Members of a highly cohesive group identify strongly with the group and defend it against outside criticism

Group members may form a tight group because they have a sense of joint destiny or may stand together when group is under threat.

Question 9

What is socio metric structure

Answer 9

It’s the patterns of liking and disliking between group members that form a group socio metric structure which is influenced by the group’s degree of task orientation.

If a group is strongly task orientated there’s less opportunity to concentrate on interpersonal relationships

The socio metric structure and nature of the tasks performed by group lead to identifiable communication patterns

A group pattern of communication is known as communication network and the network determines the hierarchy of communication, it’s frequency and number of people involved.

Question 10

State the processes of human groups

Answer 10

They start and are dependent on interaction among members.

As a group develop there are changes in the patterns in the way in which members communicate as well as in the way in which they exert efforts in their actions

The communication patterns have an impact on interactions in a group. They determine which members interact directly and indirectly with each other.

Question 11

What is social loafing

Answer 11

Formerly known as ringelmann effect is it when people work in groups they exert less effort than when working alone

This occurs when group members feel that their individual performance isn’t evaluated and acknowledged and are less motivated to exert the required effort.

Question 12

What is group purpose

Answer 12

Groups usually have specific purposes which can be implicit ( not clearly formulated) or explicit ( clearly formulated) and a group purpose defines it goals and it’s development and functioning are determined by them.

Question 13

What are the 2 group roles

Answer 13

Instrumental roles are aimed at executing tasks.

Affiliated roles are aimed at support and interpersonal contact.

Both roles are required to group to develop and function but the purpose of a group determines the emphasis it places on its role types.

Question 14

What is group polarisation

Answer 14

Occurs when existing individual opinions, views, ideas and positions become more extreme during group discussions.

May happen when group members get info from one another that support or argues their initial individual positions and the group norm may then shift from a moderate to a more radical position

Question 15

What are group conflicts

Answer 15

Members may have different expectations of the group they belong to. These may be about what the group means to them or what they can get out of it.

They may not agree about the group’s goals or the methods of achieving them

May differ about the way in which resources are distributed in the group and may experience threats to self esteem identity and security. This may lead to negative feelings about one another and attempt to push some members out of the group

Question 16

What is group think

Answer 16

In highly cohesive group members may become evenly aligned with group goals

This occurs when the group places unanimity ahead of critical thinking causing decisions to be taken in an unconsidered and uncritical way.

When the group has a directive leader who limits alternative for group members

When the group is under pressure to take a consensual decision

Question 17

Under what circumstances does group think lead to bad decisions

Answer 17

When group cohesion creates an illusion of invulnerability and limitless power.

Group relies on the stereotyping of people and situations rather than actual observations and tested facts

Groups believe strongly in the inherent morality of its own right to existence method and decision

When illusion of unanimity in group puts pressure on members to keep quiet about misgivings

Question 18

How can groups counter group thinking

Answer 18

Having strong leaders withdraw from decision making

Instructing certain ones to play devil advocate

Bringing in outside observers to monitor the group’s decision making

Question 19

What is meant by leadership and followship

Answer 19

The status of group members varies depending on the nature of their tasks and the level of responsibility they carry in the group which can be done as

Leading through personal traits
Charismatic leadership
Transformational leadership
Super leadership

Question 20

What is the personal trait approach

Answer 20

It postulates that leaders have special characteristics like drive and energy honesty and integrity self confidence intelligence and expertise

Leaders are driven by ambition and need for power but group members feel safe with them and are willing to subject themselves to their control

Question 21

Explain charismatic leaders

Answer 21

They demonstrate the Important leadership traits but also have self confidence and a sense of purpose and are able to articulate their vision clearly.

They motivate group members and guide them with clear purpose

Question 22

Describe transformational leadership

Answer 22

Leaders understand the circumstances and the needs of group members

They are flexible and they adapt their style of leadership to specific demands of the situation and group members needs by

Delegating tasks among members
Follow a participatory style by assigning certain aspects of tasks to group members
Follow a selling style where achieving group goals by motivating members
Follow a telling style by achieving group goals by giving clear clear instructions

They help members seethe goals and purposes. They make members feel supported causing them to pledge loyality to leader.

Question 23

What are super leaders

Answer 23

They are transformational leaders but they act as teachers and coaches where they empower group members to manage themselves which increases member feelings of personal control and encourage them to become intrinsically motivated