GROUP DYNAMICS

Group Dynamics Communication and Interaction Patterns Cohesion Social Integration and Influence (Social Control Mechanisms) Group Culture

Communication and Interaction Patterns “Whenever people are together in a group, they are communicating.” (T & R) * Communication patterns can be helpful or harmful. *

Communication and Interaction Patterns Why people communicate: 1. Understanding other people 2. Finding out where they stand in relation to other people 3. Persuading others 4. Gaining or maintaining power 5. Defending themselves 6. Provoking a reaction from others 7. Making an impression on others 8. Gaining and maintaining relationships 9. Presenting a unified image to the group

Communication and Interaction Patterns ** OBSERVE, ASSESS, and UNDERSTAND COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTION PATTERNS.**

Communication and Interaction Patterns Selective Perception influenced by: 1. Life positions that result from experiences in early childhood 2. Values 3. The status and position of the communicator 4. Previous experiences 5. Assumptions 6. Stereotypes ** Feedback **

Communication and Interaction Patterns 1. Maypole – leader to member & member to leader 2. Round Robin – members take turns 3. Hot Seat – extended back and forth exchange between leader and a member 4. Free Floating – all members take responsibility for communicating

Communication and Interaction Patterns Patterns of Interaction are influenced by: 1. Cues and Reinforcers 2. Emotional Bonds 3. Subgroups 4. Size and Physical Arrangements 5. Power and Status

Cohesion The result of all forces acting on members to remain in a group.

Cohesion Four interacting sets of variables determine a member’s attraction to a group: 1. Need for affiliation, recognition, and security 2. The resources and prestige available through participation 3. Expectations of the beneficial and detrimental consequences of the group 4. Comparison of the group with other group experiences

Social Integration and Influence (Social Control Mechanisms) How members fit together and are accepted in a group. * Groups are not able to function effectively unless there is a fairly high level of social integration among members Social Control Mechanisms – the processes by which the group-as-a-whole gains sufficient compliance and conformity from its members to enable it to function in an orderly manner. “Social order and stability are prerequisites for the formation and maintenance of a cohesive group.”

Social Integration and Influence Norms – shared expectations and beliefs about appropriate ways to act in a social situation such as a group. increase predictability, stability, and security result from what is valued, preferred, and accepted behavior overt or covert

Social Integration and Influence Changing Norms: Disequilibrium = “unfreezing” Return to equilibrium – new norms replace old norms = “refreezing”

Social Integration and Influence Roles – shared expectations about the functions of individuals in the group Status – an evaluation and ranking of each member’s position in the group relative to all other members

Group Culture Values, beliefs, customs, and traditions held in common by group members.