Group Dynamics Flashcards

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1
Q

Definition of a Group

A

Two or more freely interacting people with shared norms, goals, and a common identity

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2
Q

Definition of a Team

A

A group with complementary skills who hold themselves mutually accountable toward a common purpose

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3
Q

4+1 phases in Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development

A
  1. Forming
  2. Storming
    -> A time of interpersonal conflict
  3. Norming
  4. Performing
  5. Adjourning
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4
Q

What questions are asked in the Forming stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

1 is Group perspective, 2 is personal perspective

  1. Why are we here?
  2. How do I fit in?
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5
Q

What questions are asked in the Storming stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

1 is Group perspective, 2 is personal perspective

  1. Who is in charge & who does what?
  2. What is my role here?
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6
Q

What questions are asked in the Norming stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

1 is Group perspective, 2 is personal perspective

  1. Can we agree on roles and work as a team
  2. What do the others expect of me?
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7
Q

What questions are asked in the Performing stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

1 is Group perspective, 2 is personal perspective

  1. Can we do the job properly?
  2. How can I best perform my role?
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8
Q

What questions are asked in the Adjourning stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

1 is Group perspective, 2 is personal perspective

  1. Can we help the team to transition out?
  2. What’s next?
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9
Q

What happens in the GROUP level in the FORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

Groups try to establish an orientation to the task

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10
Q

What happens in the MEMBER level in the FORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

Members establish relationships with the leader and each other

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11
Q

What happens in the GROUP level in the STORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

Groups polarize into subgroups (lack of unity)

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12
Q

What happens in the MEMBER level in the STORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A
  1. Members exhibit low trust and avoid untested relations for safety
  2. They also can get emotional during conflicts
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13
Q

What does a successful transition from STORMING to NORMING stage require?

A

A respected non-leader member to challenge the group and resolve the conflict

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14
Q

What happens in the GROUP level in the NORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

Group cohesiveness forms and group norms are established

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15
Q

What happens in the MEMBER level in the NORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A
  1. Members accept each other’s idiosyncracies and express personal opinions
  2. Conflicts are avoided
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16
Q

What happens in the GROUP level in the PERFORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A
  1. Group is task-focused
  2. Roles become flexible
  3. Shared leadership and accountability
17
Q

What happens in the MEMBER level in the PERFORMING stage of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

Individuals readily adopt to roles that help the task

18
Q

Why is the ADJOURNING stage needed in the Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development?

A

There is a sense of loss after the group disbands and thus celebrating rituals is needed

19
Q

Why is it important to study groups?

A

Group functioning often systematically differs from the simple addition of each individual’s abilities

20
Q

What are the criteria for ideal groups?

A
  1. To be efficient
    -> Everyone must put in their maximum productivity
  2. To be effective
    -> Members must contribute unique knowledge
21
Q

What is Social Loafing?

A

As group size increases individual input drops and coordination is increasingly difficult

22
Q

4 main reasons for Social Loafing

A
  1. Equity of effort
  2. Loss of personal accountability
  3. Motivational loss due to the sharing of rewards
  4. Coordination loss as more people perform the task
23
Q

Tips regarding finding the optimal group size

A
  1. Limit group size to 5 or fewer
  2. Odd-numbered groups help to break voting stalemates
  3. Avoid dividing up simple tasks as group tasks
  4. If representative views are sought, larger groups may be useful
24
Q

What is Group Polarization?

A

Groups make more extreme decisions than individuals

25
Q

4 effects of the Common Knowledge Effect

A
  1. Groups spend disproportionately more time discussing shared knowledge rather than unique knowledge
  2. Shared knowledge is also given more weight in decision-making
  3. Groups are often not conscious of this process
  4. This effect amplifies with bigger groups
26
Q

What is Groupthink?

A

Groups making premature and poor decisions under an illusion of false consensus, thus failing to appraise available contradictory information

27
Q

4 situations that promote Groupthink

A
  1. Cohesive groups
    -> Motivation to preserve unanimity
  2. Isolation
    -> Work is done separately and confidentially
  3. Assertive and dominant leaders
  4. Decisional stress
    -> Time pressure and uncertainty
28
Q

Pros of Group decision making

A
  1. Wider knowledge base
  2. Complex problems can be divided and tackled
  3. Greater acceptance, satisfaction, and commitment by the team
29
Q

Cons of Group decision making

A
  1. Slow process
  2. A key source of group conflict
  3. If individuals have all the information, individuals would make better decisions than groups
30
Q

What is Devil’s Advocate?

A

Takes the role of constructively criticizing a group’s decision or plan

31
Q

How does having a Devil’s Advocate help the group?

A

Dispels typical group norms to preserve cohesiveness and just reach a consensus

32
Q

Why should the role of Devil’s Advocate be rotated?

A

May garner a negative reputation for the individual