SPRING Group Level processes and Formation Flashcards
what is a group
consists of 2+ people
share common characterisic that is socially meaningful for themselves or others
defined by social categoeires:
meaningful attributes and face to face interactions (share common values but somewhat independent)
boundaries define who is in the group and who is not
types of group formation
naturally occuring
deliberative
who forms groups
more extroverted and open
women - smaller, informal intimate groups
men - larger, formal, task focused groups
when do people form groups (festinger 1954)
social comparison to gain information
in ambiguous circumstances that leads to neg emotions and uncertaintly - affiliate wih others and socially compare to get cog clarity
gain info about situation - groups fulfill these emotional and cognitive leads
types of social comparison
upward and downward
define upward social comparison
compare against better than self
increase optimism and elevate goals
BUT more depressed and discouraged if more competent? - even if performed better than average
BUT relationships - affirmation of others success
define downward social comparison
chose targets of who are doing worse than oneself - boost self esteem
describe the self evaluation maintenance model (tesser 1998)
upwards and downwards social comparison is important for the maintenance of self esteem
perfer to assoc with indiv who dont outperform in areas relevant to self esteem
celebrate accomplishments only when not in domain value greatly otherwise resentment, shame and envy
groups formed of inividuals good at a task but better at their own tasks
when do people form groups (tesser, campbell and smith 1984)
if task is important to self then judge performance as better than friend
if not important then judge relatively worse
describe the proximity principle (newcombe 1960)
people join groups because they are nearby as increases familiarity and interaction
reis et al 2011 - online chats increase = increase attraction
sacerdote and mormoros 2005 proximity and attraction
students email people who live in same door more than diff dorms
repeated exposure = contentment and promotes interaction
describe the elaboration principle
small groups form and then invite others
additional elements linked by original members
describe the ismilarity priniciple
affiliate with others who are similar to yourself
ie share same beleifs, interests and politics
most grops tend towards increasing homophilly
when and why do groups form
stressful situation need for beloning emotional support informational support power (ie men in large groups) spiritual support
what is group deveopment (forsyth 1990)
pattern of growth and change that occurs in groups throughout the lifespan
johnson and johnson 2003 group dynamics
groups must:
achieve goals
maintain positive relations
adapt to environmental changes
models of group development
sequential (unitary sequences, linear or cyclic)
non sequential
intergrative
tuckman and jensen (1977) sequential model of group develpment
5 stages 1 - forming 2- storming 3- norming 4- performing 5- adjourning
tuckman and jensen (1977) sequential model stage 1 forming
members first come together and make acquaintance
establish ground rules
formalities
treat as strangers
tuckman and jensen (1977) sequential modelstage 2 storming
communicate feelings and view
view indiv > team
resist control and hostile
test boundaries and conflict
tuckman and jensen (1977) sequential model stage 3 norming
feel part of team and achieve work if accept diff views
rules and standards established
group conformity
observe commonalities in behaviours and attitudes
tuckman and jensen (1977) sequential model stage 4 performing
teram work in open and trusting atmosphere
flexibiity > hierachy
leadership and responsisbility is shared
tuckman and jensen (1977) sequential model stage 5 adjourning
assess and reminisce about accomplishments
implement plan to recognise roles and contributions