Group Dynamics Flashcards
1
Q
Why are groups important?
A
- We all belong to groups
- Social creatures
- Big part of life, to understand the individual you ought to understand groups
2
Q
What are groups?
A
- A collection of people
3
Q
How do you define groups?
A
- Two or more individuals who are connected by and within social relationships
Two or more individuals - All shapes and forms
- Face to face interactions
- Some are small, others are big (different purposes/focuses)
Who are connected - Social relations that link members to each other and the group in itself
- How others perceive the group (cohesion)
- Some groups are more of a category ; interests, gender, age etc
- Connection tend to be social and emotional
By and within social relations - There can be different types of social relations; kinship or task-related interdependencies
- Some group relations are stronger or weaker
- Direct and indirect links, no links no group
4
Q
Whats a primary group?
A
- A small long-term group, frequent interaction, solidarity and high levels of interdependencies that influences attitudes, values and social outcomes of its members
- Close-knitted groups, family
- Important part of their life, can be part of their identity
- Involuntarily groups
5
Q
Whats social, secondary, groups?
A
- Slightly bigger group than primary, interaction over an extended period of time
- Bit more organized
- Multiple groups
- Need less commitment, easier to join or leave
- Workgroup or study groups or bands
6
Q
Whats a category group?
A
- Collection of individuals who are similiar to each other, but different in other ways
- Share a common identity with others; girls, rockers, elderly etc
- Creates stereotypes
- We/us vs They/them
7
Q
Whats a collective group?
A
- A large group of individuals who display similiarities in actions and outlook
- Common interests or shared actions sucha as queing, panicked group or a crowd
- Dissolves as quickly as it gets created
8
Q
Social identity
A
- An individuals sense of self, comes from relationships and from groups
- Aspects that are assumed to be common for them in specific groups or social categories
- Girls like cooking
9
Q
Characteristics of groups - Composition
A
- Different in each group due to the groups individuals
- Traits, values, gender, age etc
10
Q
Characteristics of groups - Boundries
A
- Who belong or dont belong to the group?
- The relationships between the members - are you getting recongnized?
11
Q
Open groups
A
- Memberships are fluid, boundries are set and can be viewed by anyone
- Anyone can join, if they pass
12
Q
Closed groups
A
- Harder to join or leave
- Requirements are hidden for nonmembers
- Can give a chance of security
13
Q
Characteristics of groups - Size
A
- Different in each group
- Influence structure, processes and interactions - different in a smaller group than a bigger group
- Bigger group tends to have leader, more risks for subgroups and more indirect links
14
Q
Characteristics of groups - Interaction
A
- What the members do
Task interaction - Goals and to get there
- Coordination
Relationship interaction - Emotional aspect, bond between each other member
- Feedback, support, critique
Both can occur at the same time
15
Q
Characteristics of groups - Interdependence
A
- Mutual dependence
- High and low levels
- Asymmetrical, unequal and hierarchical
