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Groups Crystal S. Baker August 22, 2012 © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers The study of group dynamics attempts to understand the behavior in which people interact with, influence, and are influenced by others within groups. © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Groups have four characteristics: 1. Two or more people in social interactions, 2. A stable structure, 3. Common interest or goals, and 4. The individuals perceive themselves as a group. © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Group interaction is the process by which members of a group exchange verbal and nonverbal messages in an attempt to influence one another. © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Satisfy need for belonging Satisfy social and affection needs Satisfy the need for safety Part of an individual’s self-esteem and social identity Achieve goals that cannot be achieved by oneself © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Task roles (goal accomplishment) Maintenance roles (relationships) Individual roles (individual vs. group needs) © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Group norms - an implied code of conduct about what is acceptable and unacceptable member behavior. © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers The degree of group cohesiveness is determined by various factors: the size of the group (avoid social loafing), experience of success by the group, group status, and outside threats to the group. © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Conformity involves the changing of an individual’s perceptions or behaviors to match the attitudes or behaviors of others. Strong group norms and high degrees of group cohesiveness can hamper the performance of a group due to conformity pressures. © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers Groupthink refers to conditions under which efforts to maintain group harmony undermine critical thought and lead to poor decisions by the group. Type I: Overestimation of the group of its power and morality Type II: Closed-mindedness Type III: Pressures toward uniformity © 2009 Jones and Bartlett Publishers