PACESETTER TOASTMASTERS CLUB

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Sophia Morgan Department of Sociology Psycholo
gy and Social Work
PS38B Applied Group Dynamics
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Lecture 2- Defining Groups

• Topic areas to be covered
• Definitions
• Some Basic Elements of Groups
• Some Theoretical Orientations
• Stages of Group Development

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DEFINITIONS

• Two or more persons who interact with each other,
  share common goals and are somehow interdependent
  and recognize that they belong to a group. (Baron
  and Bryne 1997
• Two or more individuals in a face to face
  interaction, each aware of the positive
  interdependence as they strive to achieve mutual
  goals, each aware of his or her membership in the
  group and each aware of the others who belong to
  the group. (Johnson and Johnson 1997)

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DEFINTIONS CONTD
A living system, self-regulating through shared
perception and interaction, sensing and feedback,
and through interchange with the environment.
(Luft 1984) A collection of individuals whose
existence as a collection is rewarding to the
individuals (Bass, 1960)
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DEFINTIONS CONTD

• Typically, an author selects certain relations
  or other properties that are of special interest
  to him (or her) and then sets these up as
  criteria for the existence of a group. As a
  result, there are many apparently conflicting
  definitions. From our point of view, these
  various definitions simply identify different
  kinds of group and there is little to be gained
  from arguments over which is the true one. It
  is instructive nevertheless to examine some of
  these definitions for they reveal several
  attributes of groups that investigators have felt
  to be of a particular importance. Cartwright and
  Zander (1953) Group Dynamics, Research and
  Theory

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SOME BASIC ELEMENTS OF GROUPS

• Common goal(s)
• Interdependence
• Face to face interaction
• Awareness of membership

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BASIC ELEMENTS OF GROUPS

• Task/activities - what ever furthers or is
  concerned with furthering the propose or goal of
  the group
• Process - whatever changes or is concerned with
  changing the private structure of the group
• Culture (Social Technical Individual)

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ACTIVITYIs it a Group?

• YES NO
• ---- ----
• ---- ----
• ---- ----
• ---- ----
• ---- ----
• ---- ----

• Five people waiting at the for a bus at a bus
  stop
• The people at a rock concert watching a given
  performer
• The people in a church on Sunday listening to the
  ministers sermon
• Students in the PS38B
• Eminem Fan Club
• People working at Scotia Bank

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THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS IN THE STUDY OF GROUP
DYNAMICS

• Field Theory (Lewin) A field of interdependent
  forces produces group behaviour. Lewin held that
  group was a function of inter-related factors of
  the individual and the group.
• Sociometric Orientation (Moreno, Jennings)
  Highlights interpersonal relationships and
  choices among group members. Interpersonal
  relations determine the moral and performance of
  the group

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THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS IN THE STUDY OF GROUP
DYNAMICS

• Interaction Theory (Bales) Groups are viewed as
  a system comprising three basic elements
  activity, interaction and sentiment. Studying
  the relations among these elements will highlight
  all aspects of group behaviour
• Bales developed the Interaction Process Analysis
  (IPA) System, a structured observational method
  for measuring/assessing group behaviour

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THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS IN THE STUDY OF GROUP
DYNAMICSBALES IPA SYSTEM

• General Categories
• Positive ( Mixed) Actions
• Attempted Answers
• Questions
• Negative ( Mixed) Actions

• IPA Categories (1970)
• Seems Friendly
• Dramatizes
• Agrees
• Gives Suggestions
• Gives Opinions
• Gives Information
• Asks for information
• Asks for opinions
• Asks for suggestions
• Disagrees
• Shows tension
• Seems Unfriendly

Source Forsyth 2006
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WHAT IS GROUP DYNAMICS?

• the study of complex interactions which occur in
  groups and which account for the phenomenon in
  which a group seems to take on characteristics of
  its own which are quite different from the
  individuals who make it up.

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Observations Implications

• Groups are complex because each member comes to
  the experience with all the perceptions, needs,
  values, beliefs, attitudes, experiences and
  traits which make up a unique personality
• Group membership has the potential to change the
  individual
• Individuals are torn between the desire for
  membership and affiliation vs. the desire to
  maintain their individuality

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Observations Implications

• Groups need to foster individuality while
  avoiding individualistic behaviour in order to
  promote collaboration

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Ongoing Assignment Observing Groups

• Instruction
• Identify a group and observe the interaction
  among its members over a reasonable period of
  time. (The observation time period is dependent
  on the type of group being observed). Record
  your observation. (The following questions may
  serve as a guide for your observation process)
• Where did you locate the group and what is the
  setting observed?
• Explain why you identify the collection of
  individuals as a group?
• Is there an observable system of norms and
  standards in the group?

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Ongoing Assignment Observing Groups

• How would you describe the pattern of
  communication that exists?
• Can you identify the leader/leaders (formal
  and/or informal) of the group?
• How does leadership in the group influence the
  participation pattern?
• How would you describe the level of cohesion
  exhibited by the group?

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THE LIFE OF A GROUP

• Tuckman (1965)
• Tuckman reviewed approximately 50 studies of
  group development conducted in a wide variety of
  settings. Out of this review, he identified four
  basic stages that a group experiences in its
  lifetime. These are forming, storming, norming
  and performing.he later added another stage
  adjourning.

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Tuckmans Model
Forming
Storming

• .

Conflict among team members
Test to determine acceptable behaviour
Develop and accept standards of behaviour
Group members work productively together
Interpersonal relationships become
stabilised Roles are clarified Group has
structure
Norming
Performing
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THE LIFE OF A GROUP(Tuckmans Model)

• Forming-
• Uncertainty about roles as member seek to
  determine their place in the group
• Unclear goals
• Uncertainty about procedure
• Undeveloped relationships
• Lack of structure and direction.

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THE LIFE OF A GROUP (Tuckmans Model)

• Storming (conflict can provide the energy needed
  for the group to develop and clarify its
  structure and social culture)
• Members seek to resist the influence of the group
• Members seek to assert their individual roles
• Members question and oppose the leader (the
  leaders competence may be challenged.
• Members rebel against accomplishing the tasks
• Disagreements on issues of values and standards

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THE LIFE OF A GROUP (Tuckmans Model)
Norming Increased goal clarity and consensus are
evident Roles and tasks are adjusted to increased
the likelihood of goal achievement The leaders
role becomes less directive and more
consultative The communication structure appears
to be more flexible The content of communication
becomes more task oriented Pressures to conform
increase again Helpful deviation is
tolerated Member satisfaction also
increases Cooperation is more in
evidence Individual commitment to group goal and
task is high Greater division of labour
occurs Conflict continues to occur Conflict
management strategies are more effective The
group works to clarify and build a group
structure that will facilitate goal achievement
and productivity.
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THE LIFE OF A GROUP (Tuckmans Model)

• Performing
• Members agree on and are clear about group goals
• Members are clear about and accept their roles
  and status
• The group has an open communication structure in
  which all members participate and are heard
• The leadership style matches the groups
  development level
• The group has an appropriate ratio of task and
  relationship centred behaviours
• The group chooses participatory decision making
  methods
• The group implements and evaluates its solutions
  and decisions
• Task related deviance is tolerated
• The group encourages innovation
• Interpersonal attraction among members is high
• Periods of conflict are frequent but brief
• The group has effective conflict management
  strategies.

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THE LIFE OF A GROUP(Tuckmans Model)

• Tuckmans model is a convenient way for analysing
  team and the role of team players during each
  stage
• Tool changes and not necessarily occurs in
  strict order
• Team players should look for dominant theme that
  reflects the stages of development get your
  team on track quickly
• Assess needs and help the team negotiate its way
  to maturity