Paper 2: Group Dynamics

Question 1

What is the definition of a group?

Answer 1

A group can be defined as a collection of individuals who work together to achieve a common goal.

Question 2

Whys is a manager understanding how a group works important?

Answer 2

Understanding how individuals work together in a group helps a coach effectively manage their teammates’ interactions to provide successful team performances.

Question 3

What are the four stages of Tuckman’s stages of group formation?

Answer 3

• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing

Question 4

What is the forming stage of Tuckman’s group formation?

Answer 4

Forming is the initial stage of the meeting of group members.

• interactions form interrelationships within the group
• at this stage an individuals focus is on what they can contribute to the team

Question 5

What is the storming stage of Tuckman’s group formation?

Answer 5

Storming is when leadership styles might clash, with certain team members drawn to each other due to sharing similar opinions.

• Problems identified at this stage
• focus on teammates’ performance rather than a members own performance
• difficult to progress from this stage

Question 6

What is the norming stage of Tuckman’s group formation?

Answer 6

The norming stage involves problem-solving, by working together to find answers to any problems that resulted from the storming stage.

• helps members identify their own roles within the team
• team cohesion has increased

Question 7

What is the performing stage of Tuckman’s group formation?

Answer 7

Performing stage involves the team performing successfully to achieve their team goals, with each of the members successfully performing in their own roles to bring success to their team.

Question 8

What is cohesion?

Answer 8

Cohesion can be defined as the united nature of a group of individuals that aim to reach a shared goal.

Question 9

What are the two types of cohesion?

Answer 9

Task cohesion
Social cohesion

Question 10

What is task cohesion?

Answer 10

Task cohesion refers to the process of individuals on a team working together to complete a task successfully.

Question 11

What is social cohesion?

Answer 11

Social cohesion refers to the positive interrelationships of the group members.

Question 12

What is a cohesive team?

Answer 12

A cohesive team is one where the individual’s team members work positively together.

Question 13

What strategies can be implemented to help encourage and maintain cohesion?

Answer 13

• Improving communication
• Shared goals within team
• Make sure that each of the members know how their role can impact on team performance
• Include all team members
• Correct leadership style
• Emphasise that Team performance > Individual performance
• Allow team members to be involved in the decision making processes

Question 14

What is Steiner’s model of group effectiveness?

Answer 14

Steiner’s model considers the relationship between the contribution of individual team members to a team’s productivity, and the successfulness of the team members’ interaction.

Question 15

Steiner’s model equation?

Answer 15

Actual productivity = best potential productivity - losses due to faulty processes

Question 16

Steiner’s model faulty processes?

Answer 16

• coordination losses
• motivation losses

Question 17

What is the Ringlemann effect?

Answer 17

Losses of motivation can be a result of the negative effect that an increased number of team members have on motivation.

Question 18

What is social loafing?

Answer 18

Social loafing suggests that individuals tend to feel as though their own role is not recognised within a larger group, and they perceive their importance to the group as being diminished.