Group And Team Dynamics

Question 1

Group definition

Answer 1

Groups are those social aggregates that involve mutual awareness and the potential for interaction

Question 2

mutual awareness

Answer 2

where individuals know about the activities of other group members and the overall progress of the group.

eg a football crowd is too large to be considered a group as mutual awareness is not possible.

Question 3

Stage of Formation of groups and sports teams

Answer 3

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing

Question 4

Forming

Answer 4

The familiarisation stage where group members get to know each other and their strengths and weaknesses

Question 5

Storming

Answer 5

Members question the group structure and compete for status

Question 6

Norming

Answer 6

A need for common goals is recognised and members begin to work together

Question 7

Performing

Answer 7

Each member is aware of their role within the team and feels they can contribute to the success of the team

Question 8

stages of Steiners model of group effectiveness

Answer 8

Actual productivity
Potential productivity
Faulty processes

Question 9

Actual productivity

Answer 9

the degree of success of a team’s performance at a given time during a game or event

Question 10

Potential productivity

Answer 10

the full capabilities of the group when they are working together

Question 11

Faulty processing

Answer 11

the factors that can go wrong in team performance

Question 12

two categories of Faulty processes

Answer 12

1.Co-ordination losses: a breakdown in teamwork also known as the Ringelmann effect
2.Motivation losses due to social loafing: a withdrawal of effort by team members

Question 13

Ringlemann effect

Answer 13

is a faulty process due to a breakdown in teamwork, when the effectiveness of the team to operate as a group cannot be sustained.

Question 14

causes of the Ringlemann effect

Answer 14

•Large group numbers
eg: a large team such as a Rugby Union team is more likely to have a breakdown in teamwork: the success of an attacking move may rely on several players coordinating the timing of their runs.
•Lack of timing
eg: a football player mistimes a run and is caught offside
•Lack of understanding of tactics
eg: a hockey defender may not understand the half press and so the opposition gain possession in front of goal

Question 15

Strategies to reduce the impact of the Ringlemann effect:

Answer 15

•Allocate clear roles within the team
•Repetition / practice of set plays in training
•Prioritise effective communication of tactics to team members / select good communicators

Question 16

social loafing

Answer 16

Social loafing is a withdrawal of effort caused by reduced motivation, leading an individual to coast for a period of play or even for a whole game

Question 17

causes of social loafing

Answer 17

•Lack of accountability
•Lack of self confidence; perceived or actual lack of ability; task too difficult
•The perception that others are not trying
•Individual efforts not valued
•’Off the pitch’ problems such as emotional or social issues
•Lack of identity or poorly defined team roles

Question 18

Strategies to reduce the impact of social loafing

Answer 18

•Give credit for personal success such as highlighting assists / tackle count
•Give encouragement; attribute success to effort (internal unstable reasons)
•Punish social loafing; select ‘team’ players who are less likely to social loaf