Key Concept 4: Intra-group dynamics

Question 1

What are Intra-group dynamics?

Answer 1

How members of groups and societies interact and collaborate with each other. These are the psychological processes that take place within a group.

Question 2

Common goals

Answer 2

These are aims or values that all members of the group value and work towards. They are important in creating well functioning groups and ensuring that people work together.

Question 3

Group cohesion

Answer 3

This refers to the idea that members of a group are psychologically bonded and work together. Cohesion means that they have trust and shared goals.

Question 4

Groupthink

Answer 4

This is when members of the same group tend to agree and come to the same conclusions and agree without proper analysis or scrutiny. This means they can develop shared views that are inaccurate because the need for cohesion is stronger than the need to be accurate or inaccurate. They don’t consider alternatives. For example, someone might present an idea that isn’t very good but everyone in the team agrees that its a good idea.

Question 5

Social facilitation

Answer 5

This means the tendency for people to perform better on tasks because of the presence of other people. This happens most when the tasks are relatively simple. However, it is less helpful in complex tasks.

Question 6

Roles

Answer 6

A function an individual performs in a team or getting a task done. There are 3 categories of roles that people take when a group is performing a task. Task roles (focus on getting the task done). Social roles (they take a role in ensuring the group has cohesion). Procedural roles (involve keeping the group on task).