Groups And Cohesion

Question 1

What is a group

Answer 1

Two or more people interacting with each other with a shared purpose or objective.

Question 2

Group dynamics

Answer 2

Processes that occur within a group

Question 3

Characteristics of a group (6)

Answer 3

Interaction
Identity
Interdependence
Identical goals
Interpersonal relationships
Independence from other groups

Question 4

What is a role

Answer 4

Set of behaviours expected of a person in a certain position

Can be formal or informal

Question 5

What is group norms

Answer 5

Patterns of expected behaviour within a group, to which all members must conform.

Question 6

Formation of groups

Answer 6

1) Forming - members get to know each other and roles developed
2) Storming - conflict between members. Jockeying for position.
3) Norming - co-operation replaces conflict. Members start to work towards common goals.
4) Performing - primary goal is success

Question 7

What is cohesion

Answer 7

Dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency of a group to stick together and remain united in pursuit of its goals and objective.

Question 8

Two forms of cohesion

Answer 8

1) Task Cohesion

2) Social Cohesion

Question 9

What is Task Cohesion

Answer 9

Willingness of a team to work together to achieve their goals of an end result.

Teams higher in task cohesion are more likely to be successful than those high in social cohesion.

Question 10

What is Social Cohesion

Answer 10

Willingness of a team to socialise together. Individuals relating to each other to interact in the group.

Question 11

What is co-action

Answer 11

When others do the task at the same time but separately e.g rowing

Question 12

What is interaction

Answer 12

When a group works together to produce results e.g rugby team

Groups that need higher interaction to succeed tend to need higher levels of cohesion

Question 13

Characteristics of a cohesive team

Answer 13

Trust each other
Interdependence 
Supportive
Team workers
Passionate towards same goals 
Understanding of each other’s roles

Question 14

Carrons model of cohesion

4 main factors affecting cohesion

Answer 14

Personal
Team
Environmental
Leadership

Question 15

Explain carrons 4 main factors of group cohesion

Answer 15

Personal- the more similar in age, ability, experience, social background, personality = greater cohesion

Environmental- longer a group is together the more time to learn each other’s roles. Size of group just be optimal for sport so everyone has own roles and members have ⬆️ opportunity to interact.

Leadership- cohesion greater when leader involves group members in decisions

Team- shared goals. Team games interdependent so need more cohesion. Team needs to be stable so not changed often.

Question 16

Factors affecting group cohesion

Answer 16

• Type of sport - more interaction= greater cohesion needed
• stability- allows greater time for relationships to develop
• group size- must allow interaction
• external threats- ⬆️Cohesion
• similarity- in status and characteristics of members
• satisfaction- with other team members
• success- as a group or team

Question 17

Coaches role in developing team cohesion

Answer 17

• help members get to know each other(team building)
• endure players know own roles as well as those of others
• drills and training to develop interaction
• encourage group identity
• minimise changes in group- maintain stability

Question 18

Steiner’s model of group performance

Answer 18

Actual productivity= potential productivity- losses due to faulty process

Question 19

Explain steiner’s model of group performance

Answer 19

Actual productivity= potential productivity- faulty process losses

Faulty processes:
•coordination problems - high interaction can allow poor timing or ineffective strategies
•motivation problems - people seem to work less in a group

Question 20

Coaches can reduce process losses by

Answer 20

1) developing and practicing strategies that reduce coordination losses (set moves/tactics)
2) ensure team members understand their roles and maintain optimal motivation levels

Question 21

What is the Ringlemann effect

Answer 21

Average individual performance decreases with increases of group size.

Question 22

Social loafing is?

Answer 22

The term used for reduced effort that an individual exerts when working with others.

Question 23

Reasons for social loafing

Answer 23

• not wanting to be the only one to work if others not committed
• think other members will cover for lack of effort
• individual thinking their efforts will make little difference to outcome
• individuals own efforts not recognised because it can’t be identified

Question 24

How to avoid social loafing

Answer 24

• value individual contributions (notational analysis to measure)
• positive reinforcement of good performance
• giving individuals specific roles and responsibilities
• develop good team spirit/value everyone’s contributions
• develop good team spirit/cohesion through social activities
• emphasise group goals

Question 25

Ways to increase cohesion

Answer 25

• establish common goals in group
• team bonding exercises
• create desire for success
• encourage democratic leadership
• keep team together and allow time for cohesion to develop
• endure coach has understanding of personalities in group
• coaches remain positive towards group members