Foundations of Interpersonal and Group Behavior Chapter 9 Foundations of Interpersonal and Group Behavior

Chapter Learning Objectives After studying this chapter you should be able to: Discuss the interpersonal nature of organizations. Define a group and illustrate their importance in organizations. Identify and discuss the types of groups commonly found in organizations. Describe the general stages of group development. Discuss the major group performance factors. Discuss intergroup dynamics. Describe group decision making in organizations. © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

The Interpersonal Nature of Organizations Interpersonal relations and group processes pervade all organizations and are vital in managerial activities Interpersonal dynamics—types of interactions Between individuals Between groups Between individuals and groups © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Outcomes of Interpersonal Behaviors Need Satisfaction Conflict Social Support Synergy Results of Interpersonal Relations © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

The Nature of Groups Group Defined Categorization of Groups Two or more people who interact with one another such that each person influences and is influenced by each other person Categorization of Groups By degrees of formalization Formal groups—established by organization Informal groups—self-created by members By degrees of permanence Permanent Temporary © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Characteristics of Groups Members may identify a little or not at all with the group’s goal Members may satisfy needs just by being members Behavior of individuals both affects and is affected by the group Accomplishments of groups are strongly influenced by the behavior of their individual members The work group is the primary means by which managers coordinate individuals' behavior to achieve organizational goals The behavior of individuals is key to the group’s success or failure © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.1 A General Model of Group Dynamics © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Categorization of Groups Types of Groups Categorization of Groups Formal Groups Command Task Affinity Informal Groups Friendship Interest © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.1 Classification Scheme for Types of Groups © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Stages of Group Development Four-Stage Development Process of Groups Mutual acceptance Communication and decision making Motivation and productivity Control and organization © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.2 Stages of Group Development © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Factors Affecting Group Performance Composition Cohesiveness Size Norms Factors Affecting Group Performance © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors Group Composition The degree of similarity or difference among group members on factors important to the group’s work Homogeneity Degree to which members are similar in one or several ways that are critical to the group’s work Heterogeneity Degree to which members differ in one or more ways that are critical to the group’s work © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors (cont’d) Group Composition (cont’d) Variables relating to group composition Productivity Type of task Organizational diversity Cultural traits: distrust, stereotyping, and communication Effects of diversity on cooperation and understanding in organizational alliances across country and culture boundaries © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors (cont’d) Group Size Is the number of members of the group Affects resources available to perform the task Affects degree of formalization of interactions, communication, and participation Can increase the degree of social loafing © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors (cont’d) Factors that Determine Ideal Group Size Group members’ ability to interact and influence each other (maturity of the group) Maturity of individual group members Group tasks Ability of the group leader to deal with communication, conflict, task activities © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors (cont’d) Group Norms Are the standards against which the appropriateness of the behaviors of members are judged Determine behavior expected in a certain situation Result from: Personality characteristics of members The situation The historical traditions of the group Are enforced only for actions that are important to group members © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors (cont’d) Purposes of Norms Help the group survive Simplify and increase predictability of expected behaviors of group members Help the group to avoid embarrassing situations Express the group’s central values for membership identification and identify the group to others © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Performance Factors (cont’d) Group Cohesiveness Is the extent to which a group is committed to staying together Results from forces acting on the members Attraction to the group Resistance to leaving the group Motivation to remain a member of the group © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.3 Factors That Affect Group Cohesiveness and Consequences of Group Cohesiveness © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.4 Group Cohesiveness, Goals, and Productivity © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Intergroup Dynamics Characteristics of each of the groups Organizational setting in which groups interact Task and situational bases of interaction Primary Factors Influencing Intergroup Interactions © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.5 Factors That Influence Intergroup Interactions © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Factors Affecting Group Decision Making Group Polarization Groupthink Group Problem Solving Factors Affecting Group Decision Making © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Decision Making (cont’d) Group Polarization The tendency for a group’s average post-discussion attitudes to be more extreme than its average pre-discussion attitudes (risky “shift” or toward a more conservative view) Why Polarization Occurs Increasing confidence from shared opinions Persuasive arguments convincing weaker supporters Individuals substituting group responsibility for individual responsibility for the decision © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Decision Making (cont’d) Groupthink A mode of thinking that occurs when members of a group are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group and the desire for unanimity offsets their motivation to appraise alternative courses of action Effects of Groupthink Consideration of and focus on fewer alternatives Failure to perceive non-obvious risks and drawbacks of an alternative Rejection of expert opinions Ignoring potential for setbacks or actions of competitors in not developing contingency plans © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Groupthink Conditions Favoring the Development of Groupthink Strong group cohesiveness Leader’s promotion of a preferred solution Insulation of the group from experts’ opinions Conditions Favoring the Development of Groupthink © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.6 The Groupthink Process © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Symptoms of Groupthink Illusion of invulnerability Collective efforts to rationalize/discount warnings Unquestioned belief in the group’s inherent morality Stereotyped views of “enemy” leaders Direct pressure on a member Self-censorship of deviations Shared illusion of unanimity Emergence of self-appointed “mind-guards” © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

9.2 Prescriptions for Preventing Groupthink © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Decision Making (cont’d) Participation Is the degree to which employees should be involved in decision process Benefits of Participation Helps in judgmental problem-solving situations Produces more and better decisions Helps in solving complex problems Creates a greater interest in the task © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Decision Making (cont’d) Group Problem Solving Difficulties Factors limiting the generation-of-alternatives phase Immediate reactions to alternatives discourages further proposals of alternatives Experience, status, and power of some members intimidates less confident members Limitations on idea generation imposed by the group leader © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Group Decision Making (cont’d) Brain-storming Nominal Group Techniques Delphi Technique Group Problem Solving Techniques © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning

Organizational Behavior in Action After reading the chapter: Which interpersonal behaviors have you seen at work or in classes that suggest that people have social needs? Which of the groups to which students commonly belong could be defined as command groups? What conflicts could occur when informal and formal groups overlap in an organization? © 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning