Group Processes / Dynamics

What is a group?

What is a group? The definition of a group is based on the interdependence of people who come together to accomplish a common goal

Group Processes / Dynamics Group dynamics refers to a system of behaviours and psychological processes occurring within a social group More simply put: Group dynamics is the term to describe the positive and negative forces within groups of people

Group Development A guy by the name of Bruce Tuckman in 1965 proposed that there are 4 stages in group development. These are known as “Tuckman’s Stages” for group development.

Tuckman’s Stages Forming (pretending to get on or get along with others) Storming (letting down the politeness barrier and trying to get down to the issues even if tempers flare up) Norming (getting used to each other and developing trust and productivity) Performing (working in a group to a common goal on a highly efficient and cooperative basis)

Tuckman’s Stage 1 Forming In the first stages of team building, the forming of the team takes place. The individual's behaviour is driven by a desire to be accepted by the others, and avoid controversy or conflict. The forming stage of any team is important because, in this stage, the members of the team get to know one another, exchange some personal information, and make new friends

Tuckman’s Stage 2 Storming Every group will next enter the storming stage in which different ideas compete for consideration. Team members open up to each other and confront each other's ideas and perspectives. The maturity of some team members usually determines whether the team will ever move out of this stage.

Tuckman’s Stage 2 Cont’d The storming stage is necessary to the growth of the team. It can be contentious, unpleasant and even painful to members of the team who are averse to conflict. Tolerance of each team member and their differences should be emphasized. Without tolerance and patience the team will fail. This phase can become destructive to the team and will lower motivation if allowed to get out of control. Some teams will never develop past this stage.

Tuckman’s Stage 3 Norming The team manages to have one goal and come to a mutual plan for the team at this stage. Some may have to give up their own ideas and agree with others in order to make the team function. In this stage, all team members take the responsibility and have the ambition to work for the success of the team's goals.

Tuckman’s Stage 4 Performing It is possible for some teams to reach the performing stage. These high-performing teams are able to function as a unit as they find ways to get the job done smoothly and effectively without inappropriate conflict or the need for external supervision. By this time, they are motivated and knowledgeable. The team members are now competent, autonomous and able to handle the decision-making process without supervision.

Tuckman’s Stages

Group Characteristics Research has identified a few common requirements contributing to the recognition of individuals working in a collaborative environment to be considered a “group”:

Group Characteristics The effective functioning of a group or team in sport is a lot like baking an apple pie. If you get the ingredients right then you have a scrumptious sweet tasty pie. However, if for example you accidently put salt instead of sugar into the pie then your pie would taste terrible, bitter and be spat out. Let’s face it, there is nothing like a warm apple pie!

Group Characteristics The Pie: The 4 Pieces to Effective Group/Team Functioning Interdependence Common Purpose Group Perception Social Interaction

Group Characteristics Interdependence In order for an individual of the group to accomplish their part in the assigned task they depend, to some degree, on the actions of other members of the group.

How to do this in our group: Personal and peer behaviours ask for and provide assistance and support use of initiative responding to needs and changes in the group/individuals and environment

How to do this in our group: Active participation in the management of the group maintain on task behaviour respond to the needs of others

Group Characteristics Social interaction: In order to accomplish the goal some form of verbal or nonverbal communication is required to take place amongst the members of the group.

How to do this in our group: Effective communication clear, concise, timely active listening giving and receiving feedback

Feedback Constructive Feedback Constructive feedback is more than just giving compliments or criticism. In order for you to provide constructive feedback it needs to be information-specific, issue-focused, and based on observations. In plain terms you need to watch something then give a person specific ways that they can improve.

Feedback Task Constructive Feedback Task For the statements below identify if they are constructive feedback or not. Constructive / Not Statement   “Hard luck with that shot, next time try harder.” “Good attempt, next time pass the ball faster to your teammate.” “Nice try, for the dig shot keep your arms straight when you hit the ball as this will project the ball forward” “Move into space” “When you take a shot at the bin step towards it before you throw” “Next time with your set hit the ball higher” “If setting the ball bend your knees more and widen the space between your feet so that you can get under the ball to hit it”

How to do this in our group: Act on feedback receive feedback in a positive manner consider and evaluate feedback given act on feedback in an appropriate way.

Group Characteristics Perception of a group: All members of the group must agree they are, in fact, part of a group.

How to do this in our group: Group practices work cooperatively help to solve problems make decisions

How to do this in our group: Respect for difference through individual and group behaviour and actions show respect for difference (involves both self and others)

Group Characteristics Commonality of purpose: All the members of the group come together to serve or attain a common goal.

How to do this in our group: Set action and review goals decide on a plan of action reflect on personal and group roles

Group Cohesian Group cohesion refers to the processes that keep members of a social group connected. A guy by the name of Festinger described cohesion as, “the total field of forces which act on members to remain in the group.”

Types of people in a group There are 4 main categories of people that make up a group. These are: Participants Protestors Passengers Prisoners

Types of people in a group

Roles in a group Researchers Benne and Sheats identified a range of roles which relate to the actions of individuals within the group: 1. Task Orientated 2. Social 3. Individualistic

Roles in a group Task-Oriented Roles Initiator-contributor: Generates new ideas. Information-seeker: Asks for information about the task. Opinion-seeker: Asks for the input from the group about its values. Information-giver: Offers facts or generalization to the group. Opinion-giver: States his or her beliefs about a group issue. Elaborator: Explains ideas within the group, offers examples to clarify ideas.

Roles in a group Task-Oriented Roles Coordinator: Shows the relationships between ideas. Orienter: Shifts the direction of the group's discussion. Evaluator-critic: Measures group's actions against some objective standard. Energizer: Stimulates the group to a higher level of activity. Procedural-technician: Performs logistical functions for the group. Recorder: Keeps a record of group actions.

Roles in a group Social Roles Groups also have members who play certain social roles: Encourager: Praises the ideas of others. Harmonizer: Mediates differences between group members. Compromiser: Moves group to another position that is favored by all group members. Gatekeeper/expediter: Keeps communication channels open. Standard Setter: Suggests standards or criteria for the group to achieve. Group observer: Keeps records of group activities and uses this information to offer feedback to the group. Follower: Goes along with the group and accepts the group's ideas.

Roles in a group Individualistic Roles These roles place the group member above the group and are destructive to the group. Aggressor: Attacks other group members, deflates the status of others, and other aggressive behavior. Blocker: Resists movement by the group. Recognition seeker: Calls attention to himself or herself. Self-confessor: Seeks to disclose nongroup related feelings or opinions. Dominator: Asserts control over the group by manipulating the other group members. Help seeker: Tries to gain the sympathy of the group. Special interest pleader: Uses stereotypes to assert his or her own prejudices

Activities Create some activities If you have video of groups working to do something than you could get your class to analyse these in relation to any of the information they have covered.