Unit 1 - LAA2 - Intra-Group Dynamics Flashcards
What is meant by intragroup dynamics?
it is the underlying process of a social group that decides how the group functions
What is the term for the underlying process of a social group?
intragroup dynamics
Give an example of a group you may see in society
religious, political, military, and environmental groups, sports teams, work groups, and therapy groups.
Give an example of how intragroup dynamics work
they develop norms, roles, relations, and common goals that characterise a particular social group
Within different groups we have….?
a set of norms, roles, relations, and common goals that characterise a particular social group
Why is it important to understand intragroup dynamics?
so we understand how different groups work and they they can break down
What is meant by group cohesion?
the processes that keep members of a social group connected
What is the term for the processes that keep members of a social group connected?
group cohesion
How do we know when there is group cohesion?
members stick together and work towards common goals
What must a group have in order to be considered cohesive?
members stick together and work towards common goals
How is group cohesion desirable in intragroup dynamics?
the group is more efficient, moral is high and communication is more effective
Why is there more effective communication, high moral and greater efficiency when there is group cohesion?
Because everyone in the group is working towards a common goal, everyone has a specific job that they stick to, members feel like they can communicate freely
When is cohesion greater?
when the members perceive themselves to be similar to each other both internally and externally
How can members of the group be similar internally?
they share the same attitudes, beliefs etc
How can members of the group be similar externally?
through physical characteristics such as age, gender, clothing etc
why is group cohesion greater when members are similar to each other?
they feel like they are apart of the same group so it creates closeness
the more cohesion in a group the less chance for?
conflict
Why is conflict less likely to occur when group cohesion is high?
it creates trust and communication so any issues are avoided
Although group cohesion is seen mainly positive, what negative impact can it also generate
group think
What is meant by group think?
When all members of the group follow along with each other to avoid conflict but do not analyse decisions rationally
Within group think, what do many members avoid doing?
“rocking the boat”
It is important that within a group, everyone has a different role. What does this mean?
everyone one has different responsibilities and jobs within the group
Why is it important that roles are established early on in a group?
So a chain of command can be established, So everyone know what they are responsible for, so there can be a line of communication
Groups with well defined roles are better able to…
manage resources, more effective in routine activities and better able to respond to unexpected situations
Give an example of different roles you might see in a school
head teacher, teacher, student, cleaner, kitchen staff etc
Name the different type of roles that increase group cohesion
Task roles, Social roles, procedural roles
What is a task role?
a role focussed on the physical task i.e. task leaders
What type of role focusses on the task and making sure the job gets done?
task role
What is meant by a social role?
focusses on the relationships between the members of the group i.e. responsible for encouragement and praise
What type of role focusses on creating harmony within the group?
social role
What is a procedural role?
a role that focusses on keeping everyone on task and keeping to their designated role
What type of role focusses on recording group activity and keeping everyone on track?
procedural role
the three different roles , task, social and procedural often take over assigned roles. Why?
individuals may naturally drift into these roles the more assertive they become i.e. may take on more leadership roles
When can role conflict occur?
when there is inconsistency between the perceived role and role behaviour
How might inconsistency between the perceived role and role behaviour look?
When someone is doing a different job than what is assigned to them
Give an example of how role conflict can form
When someone is doing a different job than what is assigned to them
Why is role conflict a problem?
it can weaken group cohesion
How can role conflict weaken group cohesion?
those with individualistic roles may seek to benefit themselves rather than the group by undermining the group
How can individualistic roles lead to role conflict?
individuals who benefit themselves rather than the group by undermining the group
What 5 factors must we consider when looking at intragroup dynamics?
group cohesion, roles, common goals, group think and social fascilitation
What is meant by a common goal?
when everyone in the group is driven by the same thing/ wants to achieve the same thing
Why are common goal important to group cohesion?
they motivated the group and provide direction and focus
How can goals help motivate the group during tasks?
it can help to measure progress and evaluate performance and resolve conflict.
How can group think occur?
When there is high tension in the group driven by the desire to get tasks completed
even though a lot of groups have good intentions, when influenced by group think, what can happen?
urge to conform is high and not wanting to ‘rock the boat’ leads to irrational or non-optimal decisions.
Janis investigated decision making in cohesive groups, what did he find?
that individuals tend to refrain from expressing doubts and judgements
Who conducted research on group think that found that during decision making, individuals tend to refrain from expressing alternative opinions?
Janis
Which groups are more vulnerable to group think?
Groups that have a strong persuasive leader, prioritise their group identity and behave coldly toward “outsiders
Groups that have a strong persuasive leader, prioritise their group identity and behave coldly toward “outsiders are more…
more vulnerable to group think
What are some famous examples of group think?
The challenger space shuttle disaster 1986
Why is the challenger space shuttle disaster a good example of group think?
Seven lives could have seen saved if concerns about the rocket boosters had reached the right people
What is meant by social facilitation?
the influence of other members on simpler tasks can enhance an individuals’ performance
What is the term for when the presence of others on simpler tasks increasing task performance?
social facilitation
when investigating social facilitation, Zajonc believed that…
we become physiologically and psychologically aroused when observed on a task
What does it mean by physiological and psychological arousal during a task mean?
We are more focussed and detail oriented
Why might social facilitation improve task performance
the added pressure of others watching makes us focus more due to the assumed evaluation of others
What is meant by assumed evaluation?
we think we are being judged by others
Why is social facilitation only beneficial for simpler tasks?
because if the task is too complex, social inhibition can occur
What is social inhibition?
decreased performance in the presence of other
Why might social inhibition arise out of completing a new/complex task?
You are unsure of your abilities to complete the task and the added pressure of others watching can produce negative feelings
if the task is complex and you are in the presence of others, the level of task performance is…
Low
if the task is simple and you are in the presence of others, task performance is…
high
