Group & group dynamics

• Group:-– “A group is unit composed of two or more persons who come into

contact for a purpose & who consider the contact meaningful”.

– “A group is collection of individual in which the existence of all is necessary to the satisfaction of certain individual needs of each”

– Group is defined as two or more individual ,interacting & interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives.

– A groups is a set of two or more individuals who are jointly characterized by a network of relevant communication , a shared disposition with associated normative strength.

– A group is any number of people who interact with one another perceive them self to be a group.

• Group characteristics:-1. Goals

• Group must have some common purpose or goals that bind the group together

2. Interaction• Interaction is communication ,such communication may be oral or by gesture

or by nodding the head.3. Belongingness

• Group member must perceive themselves as part of the group.4. Role

• Each member has some role assigned by the group. according to role member doing their work.

5. Awareness • People in group must aware of each other & must relate to each other in

some way or other.6. Group perception

• The member of a group should perceives themselves as a collective identity. 7. Norms

• There are certain norms of the groups that represent its culture or ethos.

Importance of group

1. Groups helps an individuals to achieve self satisfaction , status, safety, security

2. Groups helps in understanding social values & norms

3. It improves the behaviour & performance of an individuals and enhance the dedication towards organizational goal

4. Helps in getting job done

5. Facilitate group decision making

6. Improves social interaction

Purpose / Reasons of Group Formation

• To achieve objective & goals• Group gives strength & courage to the member• For satisfying needs• To complete task• For achieving closeness & attention of others• Groups can be formed when task is too big for one person.• For finding their own identity• For building up their self-respect & moral people needs a group.• Security & protection

Components of group / Group structure

1. Role

2. Norms

3. Size

4. Cohesiveness

5. Status

1.Role• Role is the part played by an individual in accordance with the expectation of

other member from him.• Every role is unique ,separate & well defined• As the role in which the person is currently, the behavior of the person also

changes.• People has to play multiple roles simultaneously. • In an orgenisation commonly played role are

a)Task-oriented:- A employee who is helps his group to achieve their goals b)Self oriented :-A employee doing thing for achieving personal goal without

thinking about the group plays c)Relation oriented:-A employee is helpful , supportive & who makes other happy

• When there is difference between the perceived role & the enacted role it result into role conflict

• unity of command & direction eliminate role conflicts but it is rare in real life situation

2.Norms• Norms are acceptable standards of behaviour that are shared by group members.• Norms tell what a member should do what he shouldn’t.• Norms are backbone of an individual behavior• Members can act ,interact & perform their task as per the rules & standards of behaviour• It reduce conflicts & interpersonal problem among members & result in increasing group

performance.• Norms are mostly made in following ways:-

– Explicit statement made by the group leader– With past experience– Primary is the first behavioural pattern that emerges in the group’s first interaction.

• Norms are two types1. Prescriptive norms dictate the behavior that should be performed2. Proscriptive norms dictate the behavior that should be avoided by members

– Some general norms in group – Performance norms– Appearance norms– Social arrangement norms– Allocation of resources norms– Formalized norms –they are written & accepted by the orgenisation as manual.– Informal norms

3.Size• The size of group can have profound implication on how the group behaves internally & with

regards to other groups• Group size having even number of member is more efficient while performing complex task.• When quick decision are to be taken ,group size with odd number of member is proffered • Benefits Of smaller size group:-

– They can easily managed– Participation of member is more– They are better in performing quality task– Members are more satisfied than the larger groups

• Benefits of larger size group:-– Problem solving is better– Participation of member is more– For fact finding larger groups are better because they are good at getting diverse input & hence

action taken by them are more effective• Drawbacks of larger size group:-

– Domination by few member on the whole group.– Turnover & absenteeism increases as group size increases– Member get few opportunities to participate in task– Chances of splitting into sub-groups are more.

• production blocking– When members try to create hurdle for each other while performing their task it is called

production blocking

4.Cohesiveness• “It is the degree to which the members are attracted towards each other & are

motivated to stay together in the group”• “it refers to the degree to which group members from strong collective unit

reflecting a feeling of oneness”• Cohesiveness can be increased by-

– Keeping group size small– Members must interact frequently– Members should spend more time together– Keep high group status– Team success also increases cohesiveness– Giving rewards

High productivity Medium productivity

Low productivity Moderate to low productivity

high

low

high low

Performance norms

• Factors determining the group cohesiveness1. Status of the group

2. Size of the group

3. Nature of the group

4. Communication

5. Location of the group

6. Autonomy

7. Leadership style

8. Outside pressure

9. Management behaviour

10. Common element

Importance of High Cohesiveness

High Cohesiveness- Unity- Interactive- Positive Feelings- Ability to Cope with Problems- More Productive

Low Cohesiveness- Disarray- Negative Feelings- More Problems- Less Productive

High Cohesiveness is our Goal!

Source:Brilhart, J., Galanes, G., and Adams, K. (2002). Effective Group Discussion. Boston: McGraw-Hill Publishing

5.Status• Status is the rank or the social position given to a group member by

others.• Status gained by personal characteristics such as age, gender , skill• Status gives some role & some rights to an individual• Status direct ally influences the group performance & behaviour • Positive effect

– It helps in deciding the hierarchy of authority & responsibility within the group.

• Negative effect– High status reduces the frequency of interaction among the members– They criticize others ,interrupt others & speak out more

Group development life cycle /models

• Two models of group development cycle

1. Five stage model

2. Punctuated –equilibrium mode

1.Five stage model– this model is proposed by Bruce tuck man in 1965

1. Stage -Forming– the objective of this stage are to decide purpose ,leadership & pattern of interaction– Members try to satisfy their personal goals for which they have joined group– They are more concerned with exploring friendship– they try to increase their commitment towards the group members & group goals– A member start themselves as part of the group & they are committed towards the group – Members are quite dependant on each other ,establishes basic rules & tentative group structure

2. Stage -Storming– High degree of conflict among the members as they compete for their position in the

group– Conflicts regarding

a) Group structure & role of individual b)Authority c)To cultivate belongingness amongst the members

– At the end of this stage there is clear hierarchy of power for performing any task & the leader has been decided

– At the end of this stage conflict will resolved completely group develops systematically & gets synergy.

3. Stage- Norming– Leader tries to bind all the member together– Leader set standard rules & behavioural expectation for the members– Role & responsibility are clear– Member focus on decision making – A close relationship has been developed – There is harmony & cohesiveness among the members– There is identity of group which can recognized by others

4. Stage -Performing– At this stage group perform its task to achieve desired output– Group is fully functional & operational– Team work is maximum– Productivity & quality of work is best– Satisfactory performance & achievement of group goals are observed at the

end.– Group member feel proud of their work

5. Stage -Adjourning – these groups have been formed with the motive of performing some limited

number task– More concentrate on wrapping up things.– Members are happy & satisfied as they have finished their task successfully.– Leader appreciate the group member– sometimes group may be adjourned even before completing the task because

of misunderstanding

Punctuated –equilibrium model1. Phase-I:-

• The first meeting of group decide strategies for completing the task assigned to them

• Decide the behavioural pattern of group2. Burst energy or transition period

• Changes like dropping old pattern or strategies & discovering new perspectives for adoption end of phase –I

• This periods leads to the revolutionary changes in the members3. Phase –II

• group execute the strategies or plan decided in the transition period• Stage-1

– Mutual acceptance can be created– This stage members try to gain knowledge about each other by interacting & exchanging

some information – Group start discussing the issue regarding the purpose of the group this stage

• Stage -2– Decide group goals, objective of group– Each member assigned task for achieving those goals– Role of each member is being decided at this stage.

• Stage-3– This stage is being characterized by motivation & productivity– Here co-operation amongst members increase– Members are self-directed & self-motive

• Stage-4– this stage known as control & orgenisation – Group evaluates the activities performed & their results & take

corrective action– At end this stage the group become mature & effective group– At the end member become interdependent & competent.

Types Of Group

1. Formal group2. Informal group3. Group based on the place of existence

1. Family group2. Friendship group3. Functional group4. Task /project group5. Interest groups.

4. Group based on formation & development1. Primary group2. Secondary group3. Membership group4. Reference group5. In groups6. Out groups7. Coalitions

5. Group base on the nature of membership1. Open group2. Closed group

1.Formal Group• A formal group is created to perform specific task & to achieve

organizational goals.• “the group defined by the organization's structure with designated work

assignment establishing task”• A group is originated after proper planning • A group is stable• Groups are rational• Rules & regulation are well defined• Groups satisfy the need of affiliation of members• Hierarchy of authority exists• Influence of power flows from top to bottom• High accuracy• Communication is one way i.e. management to employees• Member interact on the basis of functional duties assigned to them • Relationship between members is determined by the roles & job assigned to

them.

2.Informal Group

• These groups are the natural formations in the orgenisation for satisfying social needs

• “Informal group are alliances that are neither formerly structured nor organizationally determined”ex-three employee of different department who regularly eat lunch together

• Group is dynamic & unstable• Don’t have formal structure• Important goal is member’s satisfaction .• Members behavior is guided by individual’s perceptions sanctioned by social

approvals.• They are not organizationally determined and members roles are not clearly

defined.• These groups are highly constructive or destructive• Informal group can resist the change & can create problem for organizational

development.• Communication has high speed but low accuracy

Benefits associated with informal group

1. Make more effective system2. It encourage cooperation3. Give satisfaction & stability to work groups4. Improve communication5. Contribute to higher cohesiveness.

Problems associated with informal group

6. Develop undesirable rumors7. Encourage negative attitude8. Resist change9. Reject & harasses some employees 10. Operates outside of management’s control

3.Group based on the place of existence1. Family groups-

– it is type of informal group2. Friendship group:-

– it is informal group– Members helps each other in solving problems & performing better

3. Functional group:-– These group exist as per the nature of operation & function of the orgenisation– Member interact & interdependent for performing their task

4. Task/project group:– Individuals with special interest or expertise required to perform the task– Once the task is complete group is dissolved– Group formed for short term or long term

5. Interest groups:-– Individuals with common interest form a group to serve their interests.

4.Group based on formation & development

1. Primary group:-– Charles H colly was started the concept of primary groups– primary group are the type of natural groups.– All primary groups are small groups– These group formed on the basis of social characteristics & individual perception .

2. Secondary group:-– They are formed & developed with formal structure– One member is leader & other are follower– ex. Committee , trade union

3. Membership group;-– There are type of formal group– Certain rules & regulation for registration to the group– Charge & collect fees from individual for joining group– Function of the leader & follower are well defined

4. Reference group:-– It is type of informal group– It forms the bases for interest & friendship groups.– These groups can exist within or outside the orgenisation.

5. Coalitions:-– Interacting group members– Mutual perception of members– Formed for achieving specific purpose– They are very powerful & effective entities in the orgenisation

5.Group based on the nature of membership

1. Open Groups:-– The group which is in the constant state of change is known as open

group.– Members keep on changing i.e –they have short term membership– Ex-selection committee – New members join while existing ones leave the group.– As new members join they bring new ideas & views to the group

activities & problems2. Closed groups:-

– The group which is quite stable is known as closed group.– Ex-Board of directors– Long term membership– The group experience stability & equilibrium in the group

Distinction between formal & informal groupPoint Formal group Informal group

Origin It is deliberately structured & planned to sub serve organizational interest

It emerges voluntarily & spontaneously .

Purpose To serve the orgenisation needs For providing social satisfaction & stability to work groups

authority Authority given by the institution according to the position of the orgenisation chart

Authority is given on the permission of members of the groups

Communication It follows chain of command or line authority

Passed through informal channel or no chain of command

Control on behaviour

Regulated by rules & regulation framed in group

It is controlled through norms ,values & beliefs of the group

Nature of the group

Stable in character & continues for longer period

Unstable & group dissolved after purpose is solved

Group Formation Theories

1.Balance Theory:-– Balance theory originated by fritz heider & Theodore Newcomb – “according theory when tension arises between or inside people ,they will

attempt to reduce their tension through self persuasion or trying to persuade others.”

– According theory people are attracted to each other on the basis of similar attitudes towards common objective & goals

– Balance theory proposes there are three ways in which person can feel balance• First source & receiver can both dislike something & at the same time like

each other ,so they experience comfort & balance• Second the source & receiver can have positive attitude toward an object or

idea & display positive feelings towards one another• Third ,the source & receiver can disagree about an idea or object & also

dislike each other ,therefore experiencing comfort because they know that they disagree about certain value

2. Systems Theory:-– Systems theory was proposed by Ludwig von bertalanffy in 1950

– It states that group are open systems ,which are influenced by such independent variable as openness to environment interdependence , input variable, process variable, output variables.

– Systems theory explain the process of input ,processes ,output & environment which groups engage in.

– Ex.-if the input of group is group task ,then the output is productivity.

3. Social exchange theory:-– This theory said that all human relation ship are formed by the use of a

subjective cost- benefit analysis & the comparison of alternatives. – The most important reason why individuals join or form a group is ,however

that group tend to satisfy the very intense social needs of most people .– Individuals have different expectation of relationship , an individual satisfaction

with relationship depends on more than just the outcome. – Outcome = benefits-costs– satisfaction=outcome- comparison level– Satisfaction is not enough to determine whether a person stays within a

relationship or leaves for an alternative

4. Propinquity theory– it means individuals affiliate with one another because of spatial or

geographical proximity.– In orgenisation employee who work in the same area of the plant or office &

offices to close one another would more probably form into group

5. Rational choice theory:-– Rational choice theory ,which is derived from neoclassical economics ,focuses on

how actors seek to achieve their ends or goals in the face of limited resources & institution

– It is originated by James Coleman– Rational individuals choose the alternative that is likely to give them the greatest

satisfaction & maximum output– Rational theory makes two assumption about individuals preference for action

1. Completeness:-all action can be ranked in an order of preference 2. Transitivity:-if action a1 is preferred to 2,& a2 is preferred to a3,then a1 is

preferred to a36. Group contingency theory:-

– Benoit-Smullyan he observed that a person in a given society can be ranked on variety of dimension such age, education ,income, occupational, power & such ranks tend towards equilibrium

– Leon festinger suggest a reason for joining a group .we relay on others for referencing & validation of our views=“social comparison”

– Tendency for groups that invite new member tend to prefer a person who display inferior skills & abilities

Advantage & disadvantage of group decision making

Advantage Disadvantage

Can accumulate more knowledge & facts It often works more slowly or highly time consuming

Have broader perspective & consider more alternative solution

Involve considerable compromise which may lead to less than optional decision

Individual who participate in decision are more like to support

Groups are often dominated by one individuals

It serves as an important communication function as well as a useful political function

The over dependence on group decision making can inhabit managements ability to act quickly & decisively when necessary

Group decision making methods• It is process of selection from a set of alternatives courses of action which is thought

to fulfill the objective of the decision problem more satisfactorily than other. 1. Brainstorming:-

– It is developed by Alex F Osbern – Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which a group tries to find a

solution for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members.

– It involves group members verbally suggesting ideas or alternative course of action.

– It is unstructured – The situation is described as much detail as necessary so that group members

have a complete understanding of the issue of problem– Leader will solicits ideas from all members of the group ,the ideas are recorded

on a flip chart or marker board.– Once the idea of the group members have been exhausted then group member

evaluate the different idea /suggestion presented– In recent year some decision making groups have utilized electronic

brainstorming

2.Nominal Group Technique

– It used when high degree of innovation & idea generation is required.– It restrict discussion or interpersonal communication during the decision making

process– The nominal group technique is a structured decision making process in which

group members are required to compose a comprehensive list of their ideas or proposed alternative in writing

– A group decision making method in which individual member meet face to face to pool their judgment in systematic but independent fashion

– First problem is presented & then the following step take place1. Members meet as group, before any discussion take place each member

independently write down ideas about the problem 2. After this each member present one idea to the group, no discussion take

place until all ideas have been recorded3. The group then discus the ideas for clarity & evaluates them4. Each group member silently & independently ranks the ideas in order of

value or Quality. the idea with higher aggregate ranking determine the final decision.

3.Delphi technique:-– It is developed by Rand corporation – This technique used by decision making groups when the individual members are in different physical locations.– Members are selected for the Delphi panel due to their expertise.– They are kept separated and answer through an open-ended questionnaires, surveys, etc. in order to solicit

specific information about a subject or content area.– Keeping them separated avoids the negative effects of face-to-face discussions and avoids problems associated

with group dynamics.– Members are asked to share their assessment and explanation of a problem or predict a future state of affairs.– The facilitator (panel director) controls the interactions among the participants by processing the information

and filtering out irrelevant content.

– Steps of Delphi technique1. The problem is defined 2. A sample of expert selected 3. Questionnaire are developed & sent 4. Response are compiled & summarized into questionnaire 5. Participate are asked to re-evaluate response 6. The response are compiled & new question may prepared 7. Cycle stops when consensus is reached 8. Solution is developed

– The major merits of the Delphi process are: • Elimination of interpersonal problems. • Efficient patrician use of expert's time. • Diversity of ideals. • Accuracy of solutions and predictions.

Advantage Of group decision making

1. Diversity:2. Varied experiences:3. Greater Acceptability of decisions:4. Error detection:5. collective understanding:6. Less influence of bias:7. more creative solutions8. shared responsibility: 9. simplifies complex decisions:

Disadvantage Of group decision making10. Time consuming11. potential for conflict12. cost to organizations13. lack of objective direction: In a group without a leader, there may be a lack of

direction and the decisions arrived at may be vague or ambiguous. Read more:

Group think

• it is defined as when group makes faulty decision because group pressure leads to

deterioration of “mental efficiency ,reality testing & moral judgment”.• Symptoms

• Illusion of invulnerability– Ignoring dangers signals & taking extreme risk

• Collective rationalization – Ignoring warning & signals & do not consider assumption

• Unquestioned morality– Believing that the group position is ethical & moral & that all other are inherently evil

• Direct pressure on dissenters – Members under pressure not to express argument against any of the group views

• Illusion of unanimity – If someone does not speak it assumed that he or she in full agree

• minimize the groupthink in following ways • Minimize the group size• Leader show play impartial role• Appoint one group member to play role of advocate• Discussion on diverse alternatives without threatening the group

• Social loafing– Tendency of people to expend fewer efforts when working collectively than when working

individually– Reasons for social loafing

• Free rider effect where some members do not put their share of work under the assumption that other efforts will cover their shortfall

• Sucker effect fully performing members lower their efforts in response to the free riders attitude

• Equitable contribution team members believes that other are not putting much efforts• Team member feel they can hide in crowd & avoid the consequences • Unequal distribution of compensation

– effects of social loafing• Lack of satisfaction • Negatively impact on individuals • Decreased group performance• Less productivity

– Social loafing reduced in following ways • Assigning interesting & skillful task • Form smaller size group• Assign specialized task to individuals

• Preventing social loafing

• Develop rules of conduct • Create appropriate group size• Establish individual accountability• Encourage group loyalty• Choose complementary team member• Specifically define the task • Highlight achievement• Establish task importance • Evaluate progress• Create personal relationship

Group dynamics

• 1. Interaction of complex intra- and inter-personal forces operating in a group which determine its character, development, and long-term survival.

• 2. Field of study concerned with determination of laws underlying group behavior.

• 3. group dynamics may be defined as the social process by which people interact face to face in small group