2. Chapter 15 Overview of Group Dynamics © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

3. Learning Outcomes After completing this chapter, the student should understand: 1.The importance of group dynamics. 2.The characteristics that define a group. 3.The meaning of group interaction and methods to measure it. 4.What motivates individuals to join and remain in groups. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

4. Learning Outcomes (cont.) 5.The various roles members assume in groups and the importance of these roles. 6.The meaning of group norms and how they are formed and sustained. 7.The factors that contribute to or inhibit group cohesiveness. 8.The impact of conformity to group performance. 9.The importance of groupthink to group decision-making. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

5. Group Dynamics The study of group dynamics attempts to understand the behavior in which people interact with, influence, and are influenced by others within groups. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

6. What is a Group? 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. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

7. Group Interaction Group interaction is the process by which members of a group exchange verbal and nonverbal messages in an attempt to influence one another. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

8. Why Do People Join Groups? 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 © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

9. Roles of Group Members Task roles (goal accomplishment) Maintenance roles (relationships) Individual roles (individual vs. group needs) © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

10. Group Norms Group norms - an implied code of conduct about what is acceptable and unacceptable member behavior. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

11. Group Cohesiveness 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. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

12. Conformity 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. © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

13. Groupthink 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 © 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC