Introduction Studying small groups (chpt. 1) Flashcards
Group Dynamics
the way groups and individuals behave in various situations
The scientific study of group processes.
“Inquiry dedicated to advancing knowledge about the nature of groups, the laws of their development, and their interrelations with individuals, other groups, and larger institutions” (Cartwright & Zander, 1968, p. 7)
Group
two or more interdependent individuals through interaction connected by and within social relationships
Variety (Forsyth)
Social groups
Small groups that last some time and involve moderate levels of interaction, often pursuing shared goals.
Variety
Collectives
Aggregations of people, spontaneously formed, lasting only a brief moment, having permeable boundaries.
Variety
Categories
Aggregations of people who are similar to one another in some way
Primary groups (Cooley)
Small
Face-to-face interactions
Long-term
High cohesiveness and member identification
ex. family, friends
Secondary groups
Larger
More formally organized
Shorter duration
Less emotionally involving
ex. school, military
Planned groups
Organized and formal
Task focused
Clear membership criteria and boundaries
Explicit, written rules, procedures, and practices
ex.school, sports team
Emergent groups
Not explicitly organized
Less clear boundaries
Less formal procedures for joining
Unwritten norms (there is still group structure
ex. mobs, pokemon go lol
Reference groups
Provide people with standards for evaluating themselves, and their thoughts
Teams
A small number of individuals with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, common goals, and an approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.
ex. ER Team, Football team
Organizations
A group of people who have common goals and who follow a set of operating procedures to develop products and services
ex. universities, companies
Interaction
Groups involve sustained interaction among group members.
Two main types of interaction (Bales, 1950):
- Task interaction
- Relationship/socioemotional interaction
Interdependence
Group members’ behaviors, thoughts, and experiences are determined in part by each other (Wageman, 2001).
Members influence each other.
Groups are influenced other groups.
Structure
stable patterns of relationships or interactions among members
shaped by norms, roles, status, and communication relations, etc.
Goals
shared goals and groups make it easier to attain goals
McGarth’s Taxonomy
- Generating idea and plans
- Choosing solving problems and making decisions
- Negotiating resolve conflicts of viewpoints or interests
- Executing perform tasks, compete
Cohesion
The strength of bonds linking members to one another, and to the group;
Each group more or less has it.
Individuals have certain asset to give to the overall group creating results
Social Identity
Group members share perception of being members of the same group (“I am an American”).
Groupthink
A mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in group when members strivings for unaminity overide their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action
Group Entitativity
refers to the degree to which a collection of persons is perceived as being bonded together in a coherent unit common fate, social structure, face to face interaction and shared identity may all contribute to group entitativiity.
