A R D E N A N D F I O N A

THE GREAT CONTINUUM

DO YOU THINK …

• We perform better when work in a group???

DO YOU THINK …

• We perform better when work in a group??? • Answer: Either – both TRUE and FALSE • In groups people polarise. If the activity is something that

we find easy, we perform better; if it is something that challenges us we tend to do less well

DO YOU THINK …

• Our whole body is aroused/stimulated when we are in the presence of others???

DO YOU THINK …

• Our whole body is aroused/stimulated when we are in the presence of others??? • True • Being in the presence of others stimulates tension, anxiety

and/or excitement. This is why being in a group can help us perform better (at things we do well) AND worse (at things we find difficult).

• It is called social facilitation

DO YOU THINK …

• Our whole body is aroused/stimulated when we are in the presence of others??? • True • It is called social facilitation • YouTube Link (stop at 3mm

Social Loafing)

DO YOU THINK …

• Many hands make light work???

DO YOU THINK …

• Many hands make light work??? • FALSE • Bibb Latene, Kipling Williams and Stephen Harkens’ (1972)

theory of social loafing • Free riders • The clap effect

and research on tug of wars

• The All Blacks losing to France

• Always remember: In a group not everyone will have the same goal

DO YOU THINK …

• Many hands make light work??? • FALSE • Bibb Latene, Kipling Williams and Stephen Harkens’ (1972)

theory of social loafing • YouTube Link

DO YOU THINK …

• If you are observed in a group you perform worse???

DO YOU THINK …

• If you are observed in a group you perform worse??? • FALSE • People tend to perform better if they know they are

being observed. • Think … coaching and video

analysis • You will also perform better if

you find the activity challenging, appealing and it ACTUALLY includes/involves YOU

DO YOU THINK …

• You take on a completely different identity in a group???

DO YOU THINK …

• You take on a completely different identity in a group??? • TRUE • You wouldn’t

scream at the Beatles if you were a fan of the Beatles but all by yourself at one of their concerts

DO YOU THINK …

• You are most likely to do something in a group if you can hide your identity???

DO YOU THINK …

• You are most likely to do something in a group if you can hide your identity??? • TRUE • Think … gangs … flaming/

trolling … Lord of the Flies … Stanford Prison

• One concept here … Groups allow for deindividualation

• Another key concept … We are wired for conformity

DO YOU THINK …

• You are most likely to do something in a group if you can hide your identity??? • TRUE • One concept here …

Groups allow for deindividualation

• Another key concept … We are wired for conformity

• YouTube Link on the Lucifer Effect (START at 7.00min to avoid graphic images; Zimbardo is the expert on deindividuation and conformity.)

•

DO YOU THINK …

• We tend to avoid experiences that allow ourselves to hide our identity in crowd???

DO YOU THINK …

• We tend to avoid experiences that allow ourselves to hide our identity in crowd??? • False • Think … Haka, chanting,

singing … think the person lying on the roadside

• Key theory here is the Bystander Effect

DO YOU THINK …

• We tend to avoid experiences that allow ourselves to hide our identity in crowd??? • False • Think … Haka, chanting,

singing … think the person lying on the roadside

• Key theory here is the Bystander Effect

DO YOU THINK …

• We tend to avoid experiences that allow ourselves to hide our identity in crowd??? • False • Key theory here is the

Bystander Effect • YouTube Link • YouTube Link

DO YOU THINK …

• Group polarisation occurs when a group splits strongly into agreement and disagreement??? • False

DO YOU THINK …

• Group polarisation occurs when a group splits strongly into agreement and disagreement??? • False • It is when a whole

group enhances a pre-existing extreme tendency

• Like clusters with like • ‘Us’ and ‘Them’

DO YOU THINK …

• Strong stable groups with clear leaders make good foundations for decision making???

DO YOU THINK …

• Strong stable groups with clear leaders make good foundations for decision making??? • FALSE • Key Theory: Irving Janis

Group Think • We are the best and

NOTHING can affect us similar to a personal fable

• It is always good to have a devil’s advocate

DO YOU THINK …

• Strong stable groups with clear leaders make good foundations for decision making??? • FALSE • Key Theory:

Irving Janis Group Think

• YouTube Video

DO YOU THINK …

• Brainstorming alone is better than brainstorming in a group??? • TRUE

DO YOU THINK …

• Brainstorming alone is better than brainstorming in a group??? • TRUE • Due to all of

the above theories • Consolidation

occurs better in a group after an initial brainstorm

• Key theory here is Harvey’s Abilene Paradox

DO YOU THINK …

• Brainstorming alone is better than brainstorming in a group??? • TRUE • Key theory here is

Harvey’s Abilene Paradox

• YouTube Link (or video on shared drive)

REFLECTIONS

• All theories in one video YouTube Link • Ok …. That’s the science on group dynamics

• It doesn’t just apply to work with young people in group • It also relates to you in your team (but park it there; we are

focusing on groups you facilitating a group of youth … remember that)

• How do we see these elements occurring within groups of young people – esp in our practice?

• How about in the Outback Kids video? • How can these theories help us in working better with young

people, and even our colleagues?