Groups and Teams Flashcards
Explain what is meant by the term ‘group dynamnics’
The social processes operating and relationships within a group between individual members.
It is important to sports psychologists because sport and exercise activities invariably involve people operating collectively.
Define ‘interaction’
Interaction is any action or reaction between two factors or two or more people.
Explain what is considered to be the definition of a ‘group’
McGrath (1984) proposed that groups are ‘those social aggregates that involve mutual awareness and the potential for interaction’. Therefore large groups at football or people running next to each other on treadmills do not make a group. Interaction is the key factor!
Identify the criteria suggested by Carron and Davies (1998) that constitutes a group.
Groups should have; Structured patterns of communication Group unity Shared purpose A common goal Collective identity
Describe Steiner’s model of group performance
Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity - Losses due to Faulty Processes (AP = PP - FP)
Actual productivity = the team performance at any given time referring to successful interaction
Potential productivity = the maximum capability of the group when cohesiveness is strongest
Faulty Processes = factors that can go wrong that impede or prevent group cohesion.
Define the term ‘group cohesion’
This is the tendency of a group or team to stick together and remain united in pursuit of its goals or objectives.
Analyse the following faulty process that brings about losses in potential productivity -
CO-ORDINATION LOSSES (THE RINGLEMANN EFFECT)
This effect refers to the breakdown of teamwork. This loss occurs because a group are unable to sustain its effectiveness for the duration of a match or event. Ringlemann conducted his study into tug of war and found that a team of 8 collectively failed to match the aggregate weight when each member pulled individually. This problem is more likely to occur when team numbers increase.
Analyse the following faulty process that brings about losses in potential productivity - MOTIVATIONAL LOSSES (SOCIAL LOAFING)
Motivational losses refer to an individual who suffers a decrease in motivation leading to them coasting through a period of play and a subsequent withdrawal of effort. This social loafing prevents team co-ordination and inhibit team cohesion.
List the negative influences that can cause SOCIAL LOAFING
The feeling that others are not making an effort
If a player feels their performance is not watched or valued by the coach
A player with low self-confidence will social loaf to preserve self-esteem
A player who has suffered previous negative experience, or negative attribution
If the task is perceived to be too difficult
Identify some other other factors that can adversely affect teamwork
Injury can disrupt team strategies
Lack of incentive to work as a team
Vague individual roles
Low sum of players overall ability makes team play difficult to achieve
Personality - low trait confidence can lead to difficulties promoting group cohesion (Carron 1994)
Inadequate leadership
What is meant by an ‘Interactive sport and activitiy’
Sports and activities such as rugby and netball where team members work together and rely on each other.
What is meant by the term ‘Co-active sports and activity’
Sports or activities such as athletics and aerobics classes in which individual performance is required.
Define the key term ‘sub-group’
These are small groups contained within the whole group. For example, the front row in a rugby team and shooters in netball.
Outline the difference between TASK COHESION and SOCIAL COHESION
Task cohesion is most important in interactive sports and activities. This relates to the way in which team members work together to complete a task successfully.
Social cohesion is most important in co-active sports and activities. This involves the formation of personal relationships within the group to provide friendship and support.
Describe the four factors that directly affect team cohesion identified by Carron (1993)
SITUATIONAL FACTORS - these include elements of the specific situation and environment. For example the time available and the size of the group.
INDIVIDUAL FACTORS - these refer to the characteristics of individual group members. For example motivation and experience.
LEADERSHIP FACTORS - this refers to the style of leadership preferred by the group. For example democratic or authoritarian.
TEAM FACTORS - these include collective team goals, good communication and a record of shared success.
