Chapter 7: Group Work Flashcards
Group
Two or more people interacting interdependently to achieve a common goal
* influence beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors
* provide a context for exerting influence on others
Questions to determine whether a team fits the situation:
Can the work be done better by more than one person (Creativity, Difficulty, Variety of Skills)?
Does work create a common purpose or set of goals for the people in the group that is more than the aggregate of individual goals?
* Are members of the group interdependent?
Types of Groups
- Formal Work Groups (established by organizations)
- Informal Groups (naturally emerge based on common interests)
Typical Stages of Group Development
- Forming: Group members test the waters and orient themselves to their purpose and each other
- Storming: Confrontations emerge as members determine roles and responsibilities
- Norming: Issues are resolved, and members develop consensus and cohesion
- Performing: The group achieves its purpose with a focus on tasks, creativity, and mutual support
- Adjourning: Groups with a finite lifespan disband after achieving goals.
3 phases of punctuated equilibrium
Phase 1
Midpoint Transition
Phase 2
Social Loafing
the tendency for individuals to reduce effort in a group task compared to working alone. It stems from motivation problems, not coordination
To improve the effectiveness of brainstorming…
- Identifiable contribution
- No judgments during brainstorming session
- Equal status
- Using individual sessions to generate initial ideas
Sucker Effect
People lower their effort because they believe others are free riding, aiming to restore equity.
Counteracting Social Loafing
- Make Individual Performance Visible:
- Ensure Work is Interesting
- Increase Feelings of Indispensability
- Provide Performance Feedback
- Reward Group Performance
- Change norms
