Group Cohesion

Question 1

Define group cohesion

Answer 1

Dynamic process reflected in tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in pursuit of its instrumental objectives and to satisfy member’s affective needs

Question 2

Why is group cohesion important?

Answer 2

Important in group dynamics

Some argue main small group performance variable

Question 3

How can group cohesion be conceptualised?

Answer 3

4 Categories in total - ATG-S, ATG-T, GI-S, GI-T

Individuals attraction to the group - Social and Task

Group integration - Social and Task

Question 4

What does the social part of group cohesion refer to?

Answer 4

Motivation to develop and maintain social relationships

• personal relationships
• togetherness, closeness, affiliation

Question 5

What does the task part of group cohesion refer to?

Answer 5

General motivation to achieve group objectives - based on individual and team performance

Question 6

Give some examples of factors which can be placed into each of the group cohesion categories

Answer 6

ATG-S - For me this team is the most important group I belong to

ATG-T - I’m unhappy with my team’s level of desire to win

GI-S - Members of our team have regular social gatherings outside of practice and games

GI-T - Our team is unified in trying to finish top of the table

Question 7

What are the 4 characteristics of group cohesion?

Answer 7

Multidimensional
Dynamic
Instrumental
Affective

Question 8

What do each of the characteristics of group cohesion refer to?

Answer 8

Multidimensional - 4 dimensions (ATG-S,T,GI-S,T) all interlinked

Dynamic - cohesion isn’t fixed and can change through time and based on context

Instrumental - team stick together for a purpose

Affective - harmony or conflict within team

Question 9

What is the group environment questionnaire?

Answer 9

General measure of cohesion (not specific to team)

18 statements ranked 1-9 and then means and sum calculated for each dimension of cohesion

Question 10

What is the key Group cohesion indicator of performance according to Carron, Wheeler and Stevens (2002)?

Answer 10

Group Integration - Task

Question 11

Describe the relationship between group cohesion and performance

Answer 11

Cohesion increases performance which in turn will lead to increased group cohesion

Question 12

What are the main correlates of cohesion?

Answer 12

LEPT

Leadership factors
Environmental factors
Personal factors
Team factors

Question 13

What are the leadership factors that affect cohesion?

Answer 13

Behaviour of leader
Decision style - democratic = increased cohesion

Coach promoting teamwork increase cohesion

Question 14

What environmental factors affect cohesion?

Answer 14

Type of sport, size of group, level of competition

Increased:
Smaller group
Lower level of competition (high school athlete higher cohesion than professionals)

Question 15

What personal factors affect cohesion?

Answer 15

Satisfaction, adherence, social loafing, personality

Increased:

• High satisfaction
• Similarity in personality traits
• Increased adherence

Question 16

What team factors affect group cohesion?

Answer 16

Performance, collective efficacy, roles and norms

Improved:

• Team success
• High collective efficacy
• Role clarity
• Conformity to group norms

Question 17

Why is it important to monitor group cohesion?

Answer 17

Too high can lead to performance reduction

Question 18

How can cohesion lead to performance reduction? (Hardy, Eys and Carron 2005)

Answer 18

Group - Time wasting, cant give constructive feedback, difficult to set goals, decrease social relationships

Individual - decreased focus and commitment, social isolation, reduced contribution, negative affect, perceived pressure, incompatible attitudes

Question 19

How can you intervene to prevent excess cohesion causing reduced performance?

Answer 19

Distinctiveness - unique identifiers and emphasise history

Individual positions - clear roles and expectations, ensure acceptability

Group norms - discuss each individuals contribution

Interaction - athlete input, players identify why they want team mates

Question 20

How can the relationship between group cohesion be described?

Answer 20

Positive and non-causal

Question 21

According to Carron et al. (2002) in his meta-analysis, what dimension of cohesion had the strongest relationship to performance?

Answer 21

Social cohesion

Question 22

What variables did Carron’s 2002 meta-analysis of group cohesion evaluate?

Answer 22

Gender
Sport type
Level of competition
Direction of Relationship
Task and Social
Refereed and Non Refereed
Paradigm

NOT AGE AND GROUP SIZE