Welcome To A Session on Group Dynamics

1. Welcome To A Session on Group Dynamics

2. What is meant by group? A group is an association of two or more individuals interacting and interdependent who have come together to achieve particular objective. As Schein put, a psychological group is “any number of people who (1) interact with another, (2) are psychologically aware of one another, and (3) perceive themselves to be a group”. Continued…..

3. Meaning of a group A relatively a simple but a comprehensive definition of a group has been offered by Shaw who defined a group “ as two or more persons who are interacting with one another in such a manner that each person influences and is influenced by each other person.”

4. Meaning of a group (continued) • Analysis of the definitions as mentioned earlier unfolds the following key elements of a group: • Association of persons • Interaction • Awareness • Common goal

5. What is group dynamics? • The social process by which people interact face to face in small groups is called group dynamics. The word dynamics comes from the Greek word meaning force. Hence group dynamics refers to the study of forces operating within a group. It is concerned with the interactions and forces among group members in a social situation.

6. Why Do People Join Groups? • People form or join groups for various reasons. Some of the reasons for which groups are formed include the following: • Needs • Proximity • Attraction • Group Goals • Economic reasons

7. Structure Status hierarchy Roles Norms Leadership Cohesiveness Conflict. Characteristics of Groups

8. Bases of Classification of Groups A. Groups may be categorized into two on the basis of the degree of formalization: formal and informal groups: Formal groups refer to those groups ‘defined by the organization’s structure, with designated work assignments establishing tasks.’ Informal groups refer to `alliances that are neither formally structural nor organizationally determined.’

9. Bases of Classification of Groups B. Groups may be divided into two on the basis of permanence: command group and task group. A command group refers to a group which is ` composed of the subordinates who report directly to a given manager. It is determined by the organization chart.’ Task groups refer to `those working together to complete a job task’ and they are organizationally determined.

10. Bases of Classification of Groups C. Groups are categorized into two on the basis of goal/ purpose: interest group and friendship group. An interest group refers to those working together to attain a specific work about which each member is concerned. A friendship group refers to those brought together because they share one or more common characteristics.

11. Security Self-esteem Affiliation Power Goal achievement Religion Politics Lifestyles Marriage Work Authority What are the Bases of Group Formation Why do people need to join groups

12. Stages of Group Development The first stage, forming, in group development is characterized by a great deal of uncertainty about the group’s purpose, structure, and leadership The second stage, storming, in group development is characterized by intragroup conflict

13. Stages of Group Development 8-2 E X H I B I T

14. Stages of Group Development (Contd.) The third stage, norming, in group characterized by close relationships and cohesiveness. The forth stage, performing, in group development refers to a stage when the group is fully functional and accepted.

15. Stages of Group Development (Contd.) The final stage, adjourning, in group development for temporary groups is characterized by concern with wrapping up activities rather than task performance.

16. Stages of Group Formation Characteristics Stages Making acquaintances Sharing information Discussing subjects Testing each other Being defensive, quibbling • Mutual Acceptance 1

17. Stages of Group Formation Stages Characteristics Expressing attitudes Establishing norms Establishing goals Openly discussing tasks Communication and decision making 2

18. Stages of Group Formation (Contd.) Characteristics Stages • Cooperating • Working actively on tasks • Being creative 4 .Motivation and productivity • Working independently • Assigning tasks based on ability • Acting spontaneously • Being flexible 5 Control and organization

19. Guidelines for effective groups Distribute the agenda and background internal in advance Clarify the objectives Compose the group appropriately Encourage the expression of minority viewpoints Separate idea generation from evaluation Continued…….

20. Guidelines for effective groups Make assumptions explicit Legitimize question attitudes Control irrelevant discussion. Test the level of support for a decision Evaluate thee groups effectiveness End on a positive note and assign responsibilities

21. A Alternative Model: For Temporary Groups with Deadlines • Sequence of actions: • Setting group direction • First phase of inertia • Half-way point transition • Major changes • Second phase of inertia • Accelerated activity

22. The Punctuated-Equilibrium Model 8-3 E X H I B I T

23. Group Behavior Model 8-4 E X H I B I T

24. Factors Influencing Work Group Behavior • Factors that influence the work group behavior are many. They are classified as under: • External conditions imposed on the group • Group member resources • Group structure • Group process • Group task

25. A. External Conditions Organization strategy Authority structure Formal regulations Organizational resources Personal selection process Performance evaluation and reward system Organizational culture Physical work setting.

26. A. External Conditions Role identity Role perception Role expectations Psychological contract

27. B. Group Member Resources Abilities Personality Characteristics

28. C. Group Structure The concept group structure consists of a set of structural variables: leadership, roles, norms, group status, group size, and composition of the group. A groups structure ‘shapes the behavior of members and makes it possible to explain and predict a large portion of individual behavior within the group as well as the performance of the group itself’.

29. Group Norms Status Equity Culture Group Structure - Status Group MemberStatus

30. Group Structure - Size Performance Expected Actual (due to loafing) • Other conclusions: • Odd number groups do better than even. • Groups of 7 or 9 perform better overall than larger or smaller groups. Group Size

31. Group Structure - Composition

32. Group Structure - Cohesiveness • Increasing group cohesiveness: • Make the group smaller. • Encourage agreement with group goals. • Increase time members spend together. • Increase group status and admission difficultly. • Stimulate competition with other groups. • Give rewards to the group, not individuals. • Physically isolate the group.

33. What are the factors that increase or decrease group cohesiveness? Factors that increase group cohesiveness Factors that decrease group cohesiveness • Agreement on group goals • Frequency of interaction • Personal attractiveness • Intergroup competition • Favorable evaluation • Disagreement on goals • Large group size • Unpleasant experiences • Intragroup competiiton • Domination of one or more • members

34. What are some of the structural variables that influence individual behavior? 1. Formal leadership: Every work group has a formal leader. He is typically identified as unit manager, department manager etc. 2. Roles: Role identity, role perception, role expectations, psychological contract, role conflict. When an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations the result is role conflict.

35. What are some of the structural variables that influence individual behavior? (Contd) 3.Norms: Norms refer to acceptable standards of behavior a group that are shared by the group members . 4.Status: It refers to ` a socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others.

36. What are some of the structural variables that influence individual behavior? (Contd) 5. Size of a group. This refers to a number of members in a group. 6. Composition: Group demography ( age, gender, race, educational level or length of service), cohorts

37. Relationship Between Group Cohesiveness, Performance Norms, and Productivity 8-7 E X H I B I T

38. Group Processes

39. Effects of Group Processes + – = 8-8 E X H I B I T

40. E. Group Tasks The size-performance relationship is moderated by the group’s task requirements. The complexity and interdependence of tasks influence the group’s effectiveness.Information processing capacity and uncertainty Continued……

41. E. Group Tasks Role identity : Certain attitudes and actual behavior consistent with a role create the role identity Role perception: Ones view of how one is supposed to act in a given situation is a role perception . Role expectations : Role expectations are defined as how others believe you should act in a given situation. Continued……

42. E. Group Tasks Role expectations : Role expectations are defined as how others believe you should act in a given situation. Psychological contract : An unwritten agreement that sets out what management expects from the employee and vice versa. Role conflict: When an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations the result is role conflict.

43. Group Structure - Norms • Classes of Norms: • Performance norms • Appearance norms • Social arrangement norms • Allocation of resources norms

44. The how and why do norms develop? Why are they enforced ? Most norms develop in one or more of the following four ways. 1. Explicit statements made by a group members . 2. Critical events in the groups history. These set important precedent .

45. The how and why of norms do norms develop? 3. The first behavior patterns that emerges in a group frequently set groups expectations. 4.Carry over behaviors from past situations. Group members bring expectations with them from other groups of which they have been members.

46. Characteristics of Group Norms Norms are structural characteristics of groups which summarize and simplify group influence processes: Norms are used as an impersonal means for resolving differences. As norms control the behavior of the members on a continuous basis, they obviate the need for power plays..

47. Characteristics of Group Norms Norms apply only to group behavior-not to private thoughts and feelings. Norms are generally developed only for behaviors which are viewed as important by most group members Norms usually develop gradually, but the process can be shortcut if members so desire Not all norms apply to everyone

48. Group Structure - Norms

49. Group Structure - Norms

50. Typology of Deviant Workplace Behavior 8-6 E X H I B I T