Group Dynamics Flashcards
Definition of a group
Groups are those social aggregates that involve mutual awareness and the potential for interaction (McGrath, 1984)
Mutual awareness is where individuals know about the activities of other group members and the overall progress of the group.
A football crowd is too large to be considered a group as mutual awareness is not possible.
6 I’s a group exhibits
All groups will exhibit the 6 I’s:
Interaction (communication)
Interdependence (person/task)
Interpersonal relationships (mutual attraction)
Identical goals/norms/values
Identity (perception of group’s existence
Independence
What are the 4 stages of formation of groups and sports team
There are four stages of development that a group goes
through before becoming cohesive and effective.
1. Forming - familiarisation learn strengths and weaknesses
2. Storming - Question the group structure and compete for status
3. Norming - Need for common goals and members work together
4. Performing - Aware of roles within the team and feels they contribute to team success
Forming stage
Team dependant on leader as other roles unclear
Starting to get to know each other - on best behaviour
Limited cohesion, no agreement on goals or vision for team
Storming stage
Conflict in team, form cliques
Difficult to make group decisions
Strong leader needed
Members jostling for position
May be a clear goal now established
Norming stage
More agreement in team getting on well
Working towards common goal
Greater respect for leader, shared roles of responsibility
Socialise outside training, stronger sense of team unity
Performing stage
Clear vision and don’t need to be instructed
Trust each other to work together toward common goals
Disagreements resolved quickly within team
Strong sense of team cohesion
Steiners model of group effectiveness
Actual productivity = Potential productivity - Faulty processes
The degree of success of a team’s performance at a given time during a game or event = The full capabilities of the group when they are working together - The factors that can go wrong in team performance
2 types of faulty processes
Faulty processes are divided into two categories:
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
What is the Ringelmann effect
The Ringelmann effect is a faulty process due to a breakdown in teamwork, when the effectiveness of the team to operate as a group cannot be sustained
Causes of the Ringelmann effect
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 understanding of tactics - eg: a hockey defender may not understand the half press and so the opposition gain possession in front of goal
Lack of timing - eg: a football player mistimes a run and is caught offside
Strategies to reduce the impact of the Ringlemann effect
Allocate clear roles within the team
Repetition / practice of set plays in training
Prioritise effective communication of tactics to team members / select good communicators
What are Motivation Losses – Social Loafing
An individual that suffers a reduction of motivation during a performance e.g. a player withdrawing effort or ‘coasting’.
This is known as ‘social loafing’ = decrease in the cohesiveness of a team.
Often caused by a feeling that others in the team are not trying and when efforts of the individual are not recognised.
Likely loafers = a player with low self-confidence or one who has suffered a neg. experience or one who feels that their performance is never evaluated.
Loss of motivation can also be linked with ‘avoidance’ behaviour.
Causes of social loafing
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
Strategies to reduce social loafing
Give credit for personal success such as highlighting assists / tackle count
Give encouragement - attribute success to internal unstable reasons
Punish social loafing / select ‘team’ players who are less likely to social loaf
Clarify and / or give roles and responsibilities to individuals
Encourage social support between players; use peer pressure to maintain motivation; include team building activities
What is group cohesion
The degree of successful bonding or strength of collective group cooperation
