Army Crew Case Question 1. Type of Task Pooled and Reciprocal Interdependence (a mixed task) elements of both. Not compensatory Conjunctive task Can’t subdivide Similar and different to USA Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Project Team

Question 2 (b). Impact of the Selection Process Did not consider teams of 8 Not Consider interpersonal skills of team members Created Us versus Them—Not help or learn from each other Created Clear Status Differences-ego differences –”have it made” attitudes Emphasis on individual skills (ability, strength) in selection

Question 3. Why does the varsity team lose to the JV team? Varsity team higher status than JV. Had nothing to gain through competition. JV has nothing to lose. Racing under similar conditions—if lose then tended to look at their individual effort- If members felt he was working hard-tended to blame other people. Competition tended to bond the JV but dysfunctional for the Varsity. Varsity was better individually (but not as team)—JV not as good individually but could be better as a team.

Sometimes effective teams get better over time but ineffective teams become worse. (get caught in a virtuous or vicious performance cycle). Team performs well may attribute poor performance to temporary factors (bad day) Team perform poorly make may more stable types of attributions (attitudes, people not trying) Team members that are blamed may take this personally and makes it hard to be productive members. Increases team conflict Self-fulfilling cycle, --not sure we can do it and end up not doing it

Lack of team Social Identity or Identity Team Members Wanted to Avoid People when they identify with a group indicates an emotional connection to the group (UTA) and the people in that group. When strong identification people feel secure and valued in that group by other people in the group Team members that identify with the group are strongly motivated, loyal trustworthy, place team goals above their goals. Team social identity is stronger when it contributes to feeling of self-esteem-but if negative evaluation associated with being a member of the team than opposite impact

Lack of Trust Among Team Members Task highly interdependent. Combined efforts of team members critical. Trust is in part dependent on a positive social identity with the team Trust is particularly important when you can’t monitor the behavior of the other team members. Trust declines when in a negative performance spiral

Question 4. What could the coach do early to reverse the spiral? Try to reverse the negative performance spiral and build a Positive Social Identity Change the nature of the competition-beat best time Orchestrate some early success for the Varsity Give the Varsity a chance to bond together. Have some fun. Try to create trust among the team members. Team building exercises—Ropes

Look to internal leadership on the team. Changes discussion from individual focus to help each other become better as a team. Exercises that they could do together.

What To Do Late In The Game Let J.V. compete in nationals Switch members of JV and varsity Intervene in way to improve varsity Get members to openly discuss their problems Give an inspirational pep talk Have members vent their frustrations

Similarities/Differences With Organizational Teams Leaders try to get right mix of participants based on KSAs Early loses can have a negative impact Teams have a high degree of interdependence Interpersonal skills and leadership critical to maintain integration Social identity of team critical