Group and team dynamics Flashcards
What are the characteristics by which a group can be defined?
- Members share a common fate
- Members share mutual benefit
- Members develop a social structure
- Members influence and are influenced by others
- Members define themselves as part of a group and are defined by others as belonging to a group
What are the 3 models explaining how a group becomes a team?
- Linear
- Cyclical
- Pendular
What are the stages of the linear model of team formation?
- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing
- Adjourning
Explain what happens during the forming stage of the linear model of team formation?
- Familiarise with other team members
- Assess their strengths and weaknesses
- Individuals determine whether they belong to the group
Explain what happens during the storming stage of the linear model of group formation?
- Resistance to the leader
- Resistance to control by the group
- Establish roles and status
Explain what happens in the norming stage of the linear model of group formation?
- Hostility replaced by solidarity and cooperation
- Conflicts resolved - unity
Explain what happens on the performing stage of the linear model of group formation?
- Members band together for group success
- Roles well defined
Explain the stages and basic premise of the cyclical model of group formation. Give an example
- Birth
- Growth
- Death
As group develops, it psychologically prepares for its own break up
e.g. 10-15 week exercise class
Explain the pendular model of team formation
Group does not move progressively through stages linearly
What are the main factors giving rise to group structure?
Roles and norms
Give some examples of categories of group norms
Levels of performance, patterns of behaviour or beliefs
Explain broad types of group roles
Task vs non-task
Formal vs informal
Explain 3 aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of an individual fulfilling a group role
- Clarity
- Acceptance
- Conflict
What factors are important to role clarity?
- Scope of responsibility
- Behavioural responsibilities
- Evaluation of performance
- Consequence of not fulfilling responsibilities
What factors are important to role acceptance by an individual?
- Opportunity to use specialised skills or competence
- Feedback and role recognition
- Role significance
- Autonomy
What factors can give rise to role conflict?
Individual does not have sufficient ability, motivation, time or understanding to achieve the goals of the role
What are the four categories of group norm?
- Prescribed
- Proscribed
- Permissive
- Preference
What norm is most important?
How is this defined?
Norm for productivity
- the standard for effort and performance accepted by the team
How are/can productivity norms be created?
- By coach e.g.
a. Enlist formal and informal leaders to set a positive example
b. Include all team members in decision making re team norms - Top performer often a role model setting norm for productivity
Explain Steiner’s model of team productivity
Actual productivity =
Potential productivity (possible best performance given each player’s ability, knowledge and skill)
-
(Process) losses attributable to
- motivation losses
- coordination losses
How can a coach improve team productivity (by reference to Steiner’s model of productivity)
- Increase resource:
- training
- instruction
- recruitment
- selection - Reduce process losses
- enhance cohesion
- enhance cohesion (tactical coaching and run-through plays)
- communication structure
- motivation
Explain the Ringelmann effect, the key cause and give an example
As group size increases, performance is lower than expected
Motivation rather than coordination losses
Tug of war
What is the name for the the phenomenon which is the main reason for the Ringelmann effect
Social loafing
Explain “Social loafing”
Where individuals in a team give < 100% because of loss in motivation
In what circumstances is social loafing most predominant?
- Contribution not identifiable/cannot be evaluated
- Comparison against group standards is not possible
- Contribution dispensable/personal involvement in the task is low
- Contribution disproportionate to that of other group members (team mates are seen as high ability).
- Individual perceives their contribution to the outcome as redundant
- The individual is competing against what they perceive to be a weaker opponent
- The individuals contributing to the collective effort are strangers
What impact can perceived social loafing have on others?
Reduction in effort
What strategies can be used to deal with social loafing
- Emphasise importance of social pride and unique contribution
- Increase identifiability of individual performances
- Speak to the individuals about loafing
- Assign players to other positions (gives an appreciation to teammates and how their performance affects others)
- Attribute failure to internal unstable factors (effort, strategy) rather than lack of ability (what’s the point in trying?)
