Sports Psychology - Group and Team Dynamics Flashcards
Define the term group
A collection of people who share similar goals and interact with one another
Define the term cohesion
How well a group work together
Whats the difference between task and social cohesion
Task cohesion: How well a team can work together to achieve a common goal
Social cohesion: the personal relationships within a group which relies on individuals enjoying social interaction
Describe the process of group development - Forming
The group get together
- They have a high dependence on the leader for guidance and direction
- group members starting to get to know each other
- Little agreement on aims
- Individual roles are unclear
Describe the process of group development - Storming
They jostle for positions within the group
- Group decisions are difficult
- Team members attempt to establish themselves in relation to others
- Cliques may form
- Compromise is needed
- Stronger sense of purpose
Describe the process of group development - Norming
They agree on roles and responsibilities
- More agreement
- Roles and responsibilities are clearer and generally accepted
- Decisions are made through group agreement
- Stronger sense of commitment and unity
Describe the process of group development - Performing
They have a clear vision and work well together
- The team has clear strategies
- Visions and aims are agreed by all
Outline Steiners model of group effectiveness
Actual performance = Potential performance - losses due to faulty processes
AP = PP - loses
What are the two faulty processes
Coordination - Ringlemann effect
Motivation - Social loafing
Explain how the coordination losses due to the Ringlemann effect, impacts group performance
- When the coordination or timing of team members doesn’t match, team strategies that depend on them will suffer
- The Ringlemann effect arises when the average individuals performance decreases as the size of the group increases, as it is harder to employ tactics successfully with a larger group.
Give an example of the Ringlemann effect
A team of rowers will be harder to get everyone pulling with the same timing and power if there are more members in the boat
Explain how motivational losses due to Social Loafing impacts group performance
- Social loafing is when individuals in a group lose motivation and so effort levels decrease.
- Performer “hides” behind team mates
Give an example of social loafing
A person in a tug of war team may not feel the need to work their hardest as they have other people around them they can rely on to do the work, and they won’t get noticed in a big group if they don’t work as hard
How can coaches minimise the effects of the faulty processes
- Establish clear roles
- Over learn set plays
- Use extrinsic rewards appropriately to optimise motivation
- Value individual contributions
- Monitor individual contributions to performance
- Positive reinforcement of good performances
- Foster good team spirit through valuing everyones contributions
- Improve team spirit
- Emphasise group goals
