Group Dynamics

Question 1

Name the 3 theories of group development

Answer 1

Linear Perspective
Cyclical Perspective
Pendular Perspective

Question 2

Describe Linear Perspective

Answer 2

All groups go through these 4 stages:
> Forming
> Storming
> Norming
> Performance

Question 3

Describe Cyclical Perspective

Answer 3

Birth, Growth and Death of teams. Emphasis on the terminal stage before group breakup. As the group develops, it also prepares them for its breakup.

Question 4

Describe Pendular Perspective

Answer 4

Team development doesn’t happen in a linear manner, there are shifts in team development:

> Orientation - Getting to know each other
Differentation and conflict - Group subdivides
Resolution - Cohesion increases
Differentiation and conflict - as people get rewarded and punished, unity decreases
Termination - If season was successful, cohesion would be high, if not, then it would be low.

Question 5

Name the 2 characteristics of Group Structures

Answer 5

> Role

> Norm

Question 6

Describe Roles in Group Structures

Answer 6

Behaviours requires or expected of the person occupying a certain position in a group:
> Formal - Dictated by the nature and structure of the organization
> Informal - Evolve from the interactions of the group

Question 7

Describe Norms in Group Structures

Answer 7

Involve as many people as possible in forming norms. To enforce group norms:
> Show a group’s standards contribute to effective team performance
> See who adheres to the group norms, reward those who do, and punish those who don’t
> Point out each members contribution and how it leads toward development and maintaining standards

Question 8

State 6 methods could you use for creating an effective team climate

Answer 8

> Social Support
> Proximity
> Distinctiveness 
> Fairness
> Similarity
> Assessing team climate

Question 9

What is Steiner’s model?

Answer 9

Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity - Losses due to faulty group processes

Question 10

Define Potential productivity

Answer 10

A team’s possible best performance

Question 11

State 2 types of losses due to faulty group processes

Answer 11

> Motivation Losses - people not giving 100%

> Coordination Losses - timing is off between people

Question 12

Describe the Ringleman’s Effect

Answer 12

As group size increases, effort decreases, to a point where there is a leveling off point. Loss of motivation that people feel as a group size increases.

Question 13

Define Social Loafing

Answer 13

Individual in a team put forth less than 100% of effort due to losses in motivation