Group behavior José Onofre Montesa Andrés Universidad Politécnica de Valencia Escuela Superior de Informática Aplicada 2003-2004

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Groups When individuals are in groups, they act differently than do when they are alone. football, Parties … GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Introduction As we know, people needs social interaction, that can be satisfied in the group context. Group performance: 2+2 = 3 2+2 = 5 …, it depends on the group. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Group Definition Two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives. People with interpersonal relations as friendship, affection, belongingness or that have similar points of view. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Classifying Groups Formal groups. Those defined by the organization’s structure, with designated work assignments establishing tasks. Informal groups. Are alliances that are neither formally structured nor organizationally determined. Appears in response to the need for social contact. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Formal groups classification Command group Subordinates who report directly to a given manager. Task group Those working together to complete a job task. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Informal groups classification Interest group Thos working together to attain a specific objective with which each is concerned. Friendship group Those brought together because they share one or more common characteristics GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Why do people join groups? Security. Status. Self-Esteem. Affiliation. Power. Goal Achievement. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Stages of group development Five stage model. The classical: Forming, storming, Norming, performing y adjourning. The punctuated-equilibrium model. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Five stage model. The classical one: Forming: uncertainty, testing the waters. Storming: Intragroup conflict, resist the constraints. Norming: relationship and cohesiveness. Performing: fully functional. Adjournment: wrapping up activities. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Forming Characteristics: caution, observation Diffused group objectives Low performance, ¿which is mi role? ¿who are the others? Actions: Animate to participate Clarify project objectives, the time table, the roles,.. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Forming (subgroups) Characteristics: Affinity subgroups, comfort. Objectives clarification Assigning tasks to subgroups Performance improvement Blockage /Group thinking Actions: Integrate - disaggregate subgroups GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Storming Characteristics: Conflicts generalization identification of key points Cohesion improvement productivity improvement Subgroups structure change Auto-admiration Actions: conflicts resolution Constructive confrontation, problem resolution Identify supra-ordinary objectives Every body is needed to achieve the objectives. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Norming Characteristics: Formal rules establishment Evaluation of members because they differences Good personal relations Danger if excess or relations and structure Actions: Redirect the group toward the objective, remind to people their function facilitator, advance assessment in accordance with the plan Know and celebrate the success GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Performing Characteristics: Clarity in the objectives y information share Individual freedom Listen to the others, efficacy y performance collaboration Interpersonal support If conflicts they are in tasks Consensus in the decisions Actions: Do nothing, help if needed,... GpiIC-2A Group behavior

The punctuated-equilibrium model. Phase 1 (50% assigned time) Transition Phase 2 (high performance) Completion High Transition completion performance First meeting Low Phase 1 Phase 2 A (A+B)/2 B GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Sociometry An analytical technique for studying group interactions Seeks to find out who people like or dislike and whom they would or would not wish to work with. Who would you like to associate within the process of carrying out your job? Name several members with who you would like to spend some of your free time... GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Sociometry Social networks: Specific set of linkages among a defined set of individuals. Clusters: Groups that exist within social networks. Prescribed clusters: Formal groups like departments, work teams, task forces, or committees. Emergent clusters: informal, unofficial groups Coalitions: temporary union with specific purpose. Cliques: Relatively permanent informal Groups that involve friendship. Stars: Individuals with the most linkages in a network. liaisons: Individuals in a social network who connect to two or more clusters but are not members of any cluster. Bridges: Individuals in a social network who serve as linking pins by belonging to two or more clusters. Isolates: Individuals who are not connected to a social network GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Why are some group effort more successful than others? Group task Group member resources external Conditions imposed on the group Performance and satisfaction Group process Group structure GpiIC-2A Group behavior

External Conditions imposed on the group Organization Strategy. Authority Structures Formal Regulations Organizational Resources Human Resource Selection Process Performance Evaluation and Reward System Organizational Culture Physical work setting GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Group member resources Abilities Individuals who hold crucial abilities for attaining the group’s task tend to be more involved in group activity, generally contribute more , more likely to emerge as group leaders, more satisfied if their talents are effectively utilized by the group. Personality Characteristics. Sociability, self-reliance and independence. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Group structure Formal Leadership. Roles Norms Status Size Composition GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Roles “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” Shakespeare All group members are actors, each playing a role. Definition: By this term, we mean a set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone occupying a given position in a social unit. We are required to play a a number of diverse roles, both on and off our jobs. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Role: identity Certain attitudes and behaviors consistent with a role. People have the ability to shift roles rapidly when they recognize that the situation and it’s demands clearly requires a major change. For instance: Union... GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Role Perception An individual’s view of how he or she is supposed to act in a given situation Where do we these perceptions? Stimuli all around us: Friends, films, bocks, news,… Watch an expert. (“pasante de abogado” in Spain”) GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Role Expectations How others believe a person should act in a given situation. Example: politicos, priest, polices,… When we put a role in a person, we do a psychological contract. An unwritten agreement that sets out what management expects from the employee, an vice versa. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Role conflict A situation in which an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations Different roles expectations can be mutually contradictory Resolution: Conciliate, bureaucratic, withdrawal, negotiation, stalling, redefining the facts or the situations to make them appear congruent. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Norms Acceptable standards of behavior within a group that are shared by the group’s members. Influences the behavior of members with a minimum of control. Can be formal or informal. Can you fly a paper airplane? … GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Common classes of norms Performance related processes. How hard people should work, how to get the job done. Appropriate communication channels. Appearance norms Dress, loyalty, look busy,… Informal social arrangements Informal group norms, friendships on job... Allocation resources allocation of new tools and equipment, ... GpiIC-2A Group behavior

The “How” and “Why” of norms Norms develop gradually as group members learn what behaviors are necessary for the group to function effectively. Develop in the following ways: Explicit statements made by a member Critical events in the group history. Primacy (The first behavior pattern) Carry-over behaviors from past situations GpiIC-2A Group behavior

What makes a norm important? If it facilitates the group’s survival. If it increases the predictability of group members’ behavior. If it reduces embarrassing interpersonal problems for group members. If it allows members to express the central value of the group and clarify what is distinctive about the group’s identity GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Conformity Si deseas ser aceptado ... Adjusting one’s behavior to align with the norms of the group. Reference groups, important groups which individuals belong or hope to belong and with whom’s norms individuals are likely to conform. Example of cards... ;Politician groups GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Status. A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group member by others. Important factor in motivation Formal and informal status titles, amenities Status and norms. High-status, more freedom . Status equity. You can feel better if promotions are for people with higher level… GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Size Depends on what dependent variables you look at. Problem solving -> Big (12) Gaining diverse input. Completing tasks -> Smaller (7) Faster Best: Odd number and from 5 to 7 m. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Big groups and social loafing. The tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Composition skills and knowledge < > Group demography Degree to which members of a group share a common demographic attribute, such as age, sex, race, educational level, or length of service in the organization < > better but difficult Turnover greater if <> GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior cohesiveness Degree to which group members are attracted to each other and are motivated to stay in the group. Determinants Time spent together Size (small) Experience external threats Cohesiveness is important because is correlated with group productivity GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Relationship: cohesiveness, performance norms and productivity High Low  productivity  productivity productivity Moderate to low productivity Performance norms GpiIC-2A Group behavior

To encourage group cohesiveness... Make the group smaller Agreement with group goals Increase time spend together Increase status and difficulty to enter. Stimulate competition with other groups Rewards to the group Isolate the group GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Group Process Synergy Social facilitation effect Potential Group Effectiveness Process Losses Process Gains Actual Group Effectiveness + - = Synergy Action of two or more substances that results in an effect that is different from the individual summation of the substances. Social facilitation effect Tendency for performance to improve or decline in response to the presence of others. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Group tasks. Complex tasks: discussion benefits Novel or non routine High uncertainty Information processing Interdependency Big groups Simple tasks: Routine tasks Small groups GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Group decision Making Groups vs. the individual. Strengths of group decision making Weaknesses of group decision making Effectiveness and efficiency Groupthink and group shift Group decision-making techniques. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Strengths of group decision making More complete information and knowledge Increased diversity of views Increased acceptance of a solution. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Weaknesses of group decision making Time consuming. Conformity pressures Dominated by one ore a few members Ambiguous responsibility GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Effectiveness and efficiency Effective depends on criteria: accuracy (Groups). speed (Individuals) Creativity (Groups) Acceptance (Groups) Efficiency: Individuals GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Groupthink and group shift Phenomenon in which the norm for consensus overrides the realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action. Group shift. A change in decision risk between the group’s decision and the individual decision that members within the group would make; can be either toward conservatism or greater risk. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Group decision-making techniques. Interacting groups Brainstorming Nominal group technique Electronic meeting Comparison GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Interaction Typical groups, where members interact with each other face to face groupthink GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Brainstorming An idea generator process that specifically encourages any and all alternatives, while withholding any criticism of those alternatives. Creativity. GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Nominal group technique Members meet but before discussion each member independently write ideas (individual) Each member presents one idea, until all ideas are presented. (all) Discusses for clarity and evaluate ideas. Each member rank-order ideas (individual) The highest agregate ranking determines the final decision GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Electronic meeting A meeting where members interact on computers, allowing for anonymity of comments and aggregation of votes GpiIC-2A Group behavior

GpiIC-2A Group behavior Effectiveness criteria Interacting Brainstorm Nominal Electronic Number of ideas K C J Quality of ideas Social pressure Money costs speed Task orientation Potential interpersonal conflict Feelings of accomplishment J K Commitment to solution N Develops group cohesiveness GpiIC-2A Group behavior

Desempeño y Satisfacción Alcanzan los objetivos Lo visto Satisfacción objetivos Niveles de jerarquia Grupos pequeños GpiIC-2A Group behavior