GROUP PROCESS

Question 1

What does the linear perspective entail?

Answer 1

• it is assumed that the group changes, progressively develops, and moves through different stages
• critical issues arise in each successive stage and when they are successfully dealt with, the group moves on
• stages were referred to as forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning

Question 2

What does the forming stage of the linear perspective consist of?

Answer 2

• the group members become familiar with each other and begin to identify the group’s task
• become familiar with each other’s skills and abilities and to determine a plan of action

Question 3

What does the storming stage of the linear perspective consist of?

Answer 3

• tension and conflict arise
• during this stage, various group members may attempt to resist the group’s influence and impose their preferences on the group

Question 4

What does the norming stage of the linear perspective consist of?

Answer 4

• the group begins to draw together
• leader arises
• characterized by cooperation, cohesiveness, and consensus on the group’s goals and objectives

Question 5

What does the performing stage of the linear perspective consist of?

Answer 5

• the team becomes completely focused on achieving team success

Question 6

What does the adjourning stage of the linear perspective consist of?

Answer 6

• termination of duties, reduction in dependency on the group, and possibly break up of the group

Question 7

What is cohesion?

Answer 7

• dynamic process which reflects tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of its instrumental objectives and/or for the satisfaction of member affective needs

Question 8

What are the four characteristics of cohesion?

Answer 8

1. dynamic, not static
2. factors that hold groups together are varied and numerous - multidimensional in nature. (factors vary between groups)
3. instrumental in nature - all groups form for a reason
4. affective reasons - strong emotional ties among group members

Question 9

What are sociograms?

Answer 9

• capture task and social relationships

Question 10

What is sociometry?

Answer 10

• graphically and mathematically summarize patterns of intermember relationships

Question 11

What are the two main groupings in the conceptual model of group cohesion?

Answer 11

• individual aspects: beliefs group members hold about personal benefits
• group aspects: beliefs members hold about the group as a collective

Question 12

What two further aspects do individual and group aspects divide into?

Answer 12

• task cohesion: orientation towards achieving group’s objectives
• social cohesion: orientation towards developing and maintaining social relationships within group

Question 13

What are the four cohesion factors in sport groups?

Answer 13

1. individual attraction to the group-task
2. individual attraction to the group-social
3. group integration-task
4. group integration-social

Question 14

What are some environmental factors that are correlates of group cohesion?

Answer 14

• specific activity setting

- group size (smaller the group, the greater the cohesion)

Question 15

What are some leadership factors that are correlates of group cohesion?

Answer 15

• leaders behaviour
• instruction
• positive feedback
• social support
• decision style
• autocratic style (stresses personal authority)
• democratic style

Question 16

What is team building?

Answer 16

• programs promoting increased sense of team unity and cohesiveness, enabling the team to work together more smoothly

Question 17

What is indirect team building?

Answer 17

• intervention filtered through coach or exercise leader & done by third party

Question 18

What is direct team building?

Answer 18

• intervention specialist works with team

Question 19

What are the four stages of team building?

Answer 19

• introduction: coaches and leaders receive overview of cohesion benefits
• conceptual: provides frame of reference for participants
• practical: coaches develop practical strategies for own group setting
• intervention: coaches take developed team-building protocols into groups

Question 20

Why is team building important?

Answer 20

• enhances cohesion

- entire season resulted in higher perceptions of cohesion

Question 21

What is hazing?

Answer 21

• use of harassment, abuse or humiliation to initiate new group members
• teams who did more hazing-type activities were less cohesive

Question 22

What are some personal factors that are correlates of group cohesion?

Answer 22

• individual adherence

- individual is exercising freely versus being told by a health professional

Question 23

What is social loafing?

Answer 23

• the reduction in individual effort when individuals work collectively compared to when they work alone
• tend to loaf when in groups and the effect occurs consistently across many populations and with many different tasks

Question 24

What is individual sacrifice?

Answer 24

• individual and teammates’ sacrifice contribute to team task and social cohesion
• internal sacrifices made by individuals and teammates have powerful effect on cohesion

Question 25

What is self-handicapping?

Answer 25

• using strategies that protect one’s self-esteem by providing excuses for forthcoming events

Question 26

What is psychological momentum?

Answer 26

• a perception on the part of team members that the teams progressing towards it’s goal

Question 27

What are mediators?

Answer 27

• mechanisms that account for the effect of one variable on another