Group Dynamics:

Discovering ways to bring people together!

What is a group?

?

“A group is an aggregate of individuals standing in certain descriptive (i.e. observable) relations to each other. The kinds

of relations exemplified will, of course, depend upon, or determine, the kind of group, whether it be a family, an

audience, a committee, a labor union, or a crowd.” (Cartwright & Zander)

Two Types of Group Functions

1. The achievement of some specific group goal• Initiates action• Keeps members' attention on the goal• Clarifies the issue• Develops a procedural plan evaluates the quality of the

work done• Makes expert information available

Two Types of Group Function

2. The maintenance or strengthening of the group itself• Keeps interpersonal relations pleasant• Arbitrates disputes• Provides encouragement• Gives the minority a chance to be heard• Stimulates self direction• Increases the interdependence among members.

How to facilitate

• Members may facilitate in different ways– They will be task oriented and sacrifice all to reach

the goal.• Risks: Damaging team dynamics, cohesiveness and

interpersonal relations.

– They will be focused on working together as a cohesive group and working towards a goal as a team.• Risks: Goal may not come to fruition because members

were too focused on the cohesiveness.

How to Develop Unity in Groups

• Group Games• Ice Breakers• Team Builders

Marshmallow Towers

• Materials– Marshmallows (1 bag per team), toothpick (1

package per team), stopwatch

• Instructions– Each team will get a bag of marshmallows and a

package of toothpicks. The activity supervisor will give the allotted time for the activity. Each team will try to build the strongest and tallest tower they can with the time they are given.

Great Egg Drop• Materials– One egg per team, duct tape, scraps of cardboard,

packing peanuts, tissue paper, and cotton balls.• Instructions– Distribute the egg, tape and other material to each

team. Each team will be given a certain amount of time to build a safety structure around their egg. Once the structure is built each team’s structure will be tested to ensure the safety of the egg. The structure will then be dropped from the highest possible point in the room. Unwrap the structures and find out who’s structure protected their egg and left it unbroken.

Photo Scavenger Hunt at the Zoo

• Materials:– Camera, lists of animals at the zoo

• Instructions:– Develop a list of animals from the zoo. Have the

teams disperse with their group leaders/photographers into the zoo. First team to complete the list of photo requirements with every team member present in the photos, wins.

Resources

• Cartwright, D. & Zander, A. Group Dynamics: Research and Theory, 3rd ed. pg, 45, 306-307.

• http://www.group-games.com/index-of-all-group-games

• http://wilderdom.com/games/