unit 2- part 1 Flashcards
Define the concept ‘group’.
A group is ‘two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives’.
Source: Robbins & Judge, 2022, p. 321
What is a formal group?
Defined by the organisation’s structure, designed work assignments, and established work tasks.
What is an informal group?
Alliances not formally structured, formed naturally in the work environment, in response to the need for social contact.
What is a command group?
Composed of individuals who report directly to a given manager.
What is a task group?
Organisationally determined individuals working together to complete a job task.
What is an interest group?
Individuals that are not aligned into command or task groups but attain a specific objective or cause.
What is a friendship group?
A group developed because individuals have one or more common characteristics.
What does Social Identity Theory explain?
Being part of a larger collective provides an identity larger than ourselves, influencing how individuals identify and invest in group goals.
What are the reasons for joining certain groups according to Social Identity Theory?
- Similarity
- Distinctiveness
- Status
- Uncertainty reduction
What is ingroup favoritism?
The tendency to see one’s own group as better than others.
What is the punctuated-equilibrium model of group development?
Groups experience stability with brief bursts of rapid change, often transitioning at the midpoint.
What are key group properties?
- Roles
- Norms
- Status
- Size
- Cohesiveness
- Diversity
What is role perception?
How an individual views their role in the group.
What is role conflict?
Tension arising from incompatible role expectations.
What are group norms?
Shared expectations, rules, or standards of behavior that guide individual actions.
What is the impact of positive norms on group outcomes?
Strong positive norms can increase creativity, collaboration, respect, and accountability.
What is group status?
Socially defined position or rank that drives behavior and actions within groups.
What is status inequity?
Perception of unfair status differences leading to dissatisfaction or conflict.
What are the characteristics of smaller groups?
- Better communication
- Increased cohesion
- Faster decision-making
- Greater individual contribution
What is group cohesiveness?
The shared bond driving group members to work together.
What are the stages of group development according to Tuckman?
- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing
- Adjourning
What happens in the ‘forming’ stage of group development?
There is uncertainty about the group’s purpose, structure, and leadership.
What characterizes the ‘storming’ stage of group development?
Intragroup conflict and acceptance of the group’s existence.
What is groupthink?
Group pressures to conform discourage critical appraisal of minority or unpopular views.
What is groupshift?
Members exaggerate their initial positions when discussing alternatives, leading to more extreme group decisions.
What is the nominal group technique?
A process where members individually write down ideas before discussing and ranking them.
What factors influence the choice of group decision-making techniques?
- Number and quality of ideas
- Social pressure
- Money costs
- Speed
- Task orientation
- Potential for interpersonal conflict
- Commitment to solution
- Development of group cohesiveness
