Group and team dynamics

Question 1

What is a group?

Answer 1

A collection of people who share similar goals and interact with eachother.

Question 2

What are the four stages of group/team formation?

Answer 2

1. forming
2. storming
3. norming
4. performing

Question 3

Describe the forming stage of a group?

Answer 3

high dependance on leader for guidance, members get to know one another, little agreement, individual roles are unclear, figuring out the goal

Question 4

What occurs during the storming stage of a group’s formation?

Answer 4

conflict occurs, cliques form, teams often fold, confrontation with the leaders, members jostle for position,

Question 5

What is the norming stage of a team’s development?

Answer 5

more agreement, roles are clear, decisions are made through group agreement, a stronger sense of unity, more social, leader has gained respect, conflict resolved

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a team in the performing stage?

Answer 6

clear vision, no interference from leader, focus on achieving goals, members are trusted to get on with their jobs, team doesn’t need to be instructed, leader is fully trusted, optimum stage for best performances, goal and vision is clear

Question 7

What is steiner’s model?

Answer 7

actual productivity = potential productivity - loses due to faulty processes (a cohesive team will perform better than a team with the best individuals)

Question 8

What are the 6 loses due to faulty processes?

Answer 8

1. coordination losses
2. motivational losses
3. lack of understanding of role
4. lack of understanding of tactics and strategies
5. social loafing
6. the ringelmann effect

Question 9

What is social loafing?

Answer 9

individuals reduce their effort when in a team

Question 10

What is the ringelmann effect?

Answer 10

individual productivity reduces as team size increases

Question 11

What factors cause social loafing?

Answer 11

1. no clear role
2. low self efficacy
3. learned helplessness
4. teammates stop trying so you also reduce your effort
5. poor leadership
6. high levels of anxiety
7. injury
8. social inhibition

Question 12

How can social loafing be overcome?

Answer 12

1. giving clear roles
2. praising cohesion
3. picking team players over star performers
4. effective leadership
5. punishing social loafing
6. developing social cohesion
7. raising individuals self efficacy
8. always emphasising the team goal