Group dynamics

Defining and Classifying Groups

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Concept of group dynamics

Group dynamics generally means interaction of forces in a group members in a social situation. How a group must be:
Participative Democratic Cooperative

Roles to perform:
Role playing Brainstorming Leaderless group

Why do people join groups

Security- Feel stronger, Have fewer self-doubts, and are more resistant to threats. New employees are vunerable to a sense of isolation and turn to group for guidance and support. Esteem- Associating with high status group, recognition and praise. Affiliation- common interest, Regular company of other people, Check their perceptions of new or uncertain environment. Power- united we stand, divided we fall ,Leadership enables to enjoy power over the grp members.

 Identity- we try to understand ourselves through the behaviour of others towards us. Groups provide several others who will laugh, praise or admire us. huddling-executives make use of informal get togethers called huddles.These are intimate taskoriented encounters of executive trying to get something done.

Security

Status

SelfEsteem

What Makes People Join Groups?

Affiliation

Power

Goal Achievement

Group

Two or more people

Shared goals

Group

People see themselves As members, collective identity

There is interaction Among members

NATURE OF GROUPS
Groups are recognized as important units Helps in directing and channelizing the constructive efforts Common goals of the company is fulfilled Group Dynamics was first introduced by corporate giants like Toyota, Motorola, GE, etc.

Effective Implementation of Group Dynamics

Emphasis is laid on motivating members to join and participate in the group. Increase in fluidity and promotion of frequent interactions and effective communication. Frequent interactions encourage and help in exposing any kind of grievances or doubts in the form of misunderstandings.

TYPES OF GROUP
FORMAL GROUPS- deliberately created to perform a specific task, a hierarchy of authority exists .rules and regulations guide the behaviour of small groups.

Command group- specified by org chart And includes supervisor and his Subordinates

Temporary Task Group- employees work together to complete a particular Task or Project.

Informal group- natural formations in the work environment which appear in Response to the need for social contact They often develop within formal group out of concerns which they share

Horizontal clique-same rank ,same depart

Vertical Clique- diff hierarchy levels, same dept

Random Clique- various dept, locations & Hierarchy

Functions of Formal Groups Organizational Functions

1. Accomplish complex, interdependent tasks that are beyond the capabilities of individuals. 2. Generate new or creative ideas and solutions. 3. Coordinate interdepartmental efforts. 4. Provide a problem-solving mechanism for complex problems requiring varied information and assessments. 5. Implement complex decisions. 6. Socialize and train newcomers.

Individual Functions
1. Satisfy the individuals need for affiliation. 2. Develop, enhance, and confirm the individuals self-esteem and sense of identity. 3. Give individuals an opportunity to test and share their perceptions of social reality. 4. Reduce the individuals anxieties and feelings of insecurity and powerlessness. 5. Provide a problem-solving mechanism for personal and interpersonal problems.

Informal Groups
It forms the Grapevine of the company. These are not formed under company rules and policies. They form a consequential part of the company by easing out any kind of stress or tensions It helps in:
Groups survival and provision of benefits Simplify the behavioral characteristics of the group and make actions more predictable. Effective communication is ensured from the top to the bottom without the line of authority.

Group development

Dr Bruce Tuckman published his Forming Storming Norming Performing model in 1965. He added a fifth stage, Adjourning, in the 1970's.

Tuckmans Five-Stage Theory of Group Development

Performing Norming Storming Return to Independence

Adjourning

Forming

Dependence/ interdependence

Independence

Tuckmans Five-Stage Theory of Group Development (continued)

Forming Storming Norming Performing

Individual Issues

How do I fit in?

Whats my role here?

What do the How can I best others expect perform my me to do? role?

Group Issues

Why are we here?

Why are we fighting over whos in charge and who does what?

Can we agree on roles and Can we do the work as a job properly? team?

Meenakshi Ahuja

Stages of Group Development

Forming - stage 1

High dependence on leader for guidance and direction. Great deal of uncertainty about grps purpose. This stage is complete when interpersonal relationships are established and when members have begun to think of themselves as part
of a group.

Storming - stage 2
Decisions don't come easily within group. Team members attempt to establish themselves in relation to other team members and the leader, who might receive challenges from team members. Clarity of purpose increases but plenty of uncertainties persist, there may be power struggles. The team needs to be focused on its goals to avoid becoming distracted by relationships and emotional issues. Compromises may be required to enable progress.

Norming - stage 3
Agreement and consensus is largely forms among team, who respond well to facilitation by leader. Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted. Big decisions are made by group agreement. The team discusses and develops its processes and working style. There is general respect for the leader and some of leadership is more shared by the team. Leader facilitates and enables

Stages of Group Development (contd)

Performing - stage 4
The team knows clearly why it is doing what it is doing There is a focus on over-achieving goals, and the team makes most of the decisions against criteria agreed with the leader. The team has a high degree of autonomy . The team does not need to be instructed or assisted. team members look after each other.

Adjourning - stage 5
Attention is towards the wrapping up of activities., hopefully when the task is completed successfully, its purpose fulfilled; everyone can move on to new things, feeling good about what's been achieved.

Stages of Group Development

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Types of groups
Primary and secondary Membership and reference groups Command and task groups In groups and out groups Formal and informal groups

Primary and secondary groups Primary

Intimate ,F2F Small in nature Eg Family, relatives

Secondary
Formal , general, remote Might not be interested in individuals Absence of intimacy

PRIMARY GROUPS
Traits Small Personal orientation Enduring (long lasting) Frequent interaction Face-to-face Intimate sense of belonging emotional orientation: bond based on emotions loyalty Primary relationships First group experienced in life Irreplaceable Security Assistance of all kinds Emotional to financial Examples: the family.

SECONDARY GROUPS
Traits
Large membership: larger than primary groups Goal or activity orientation impersonal and formal Infrequent interaction

Secondary relationships
Weak emotional ties between persons Short term

Importance
Networking Career goals Examples: co-workers, political organizations

In-Groups and Out-Groups

In-group group with which people identify and have a sense of belonging pronoun WE Out-group group that people do not identify with pronoun THEY
Loyalty to INGROUP Opposition to OUTGROUPS

Reference Groups
In-groups can be secondary or primary groups, but in either case, they are always reference groups, real or imaginary .

a standard to evaluate ourselves normative function comparative function

Classification under formal and informal groups

Formal Groups
Command group : formal group determined by structure Task group: formal group organized for a specific task Committees: handles problems outside of regular assignments

Informal groups
Social groups: people who enjoy each others company (chat groups) Interest groups: groups that develop informally around a common interest (news groups, listserv members)

Theories of Group Formation

Propinquity Needs, Functions and Goals Interaction Balance Theory Exchange Theory