2001 Wadsworth a division of Thomson Learning Inc

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© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Understanding Group Interaction 1

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Understanding Group Interaction 1

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc What is a Group? •

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc What is a Group? • Multiple members – 2 or more people – perceive themselves as a group • Group rewards • Corresponding effects • Common goals 2

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Why People Join Groups •

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Why People Join Groups • Psychological Needs – Affiliation – Identification • Survival Needs – Emotional support – Assistance or help • Commonality – Common interests – Common goals • Situational Reasons – Physical proximity – Assignment 3

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Factors Affecting Group Performance •

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Factors Affecting Group Performance • Group Cohesiveness • Communication Structure • Group Roles • Presence of Others • Type of Task • Individual Dominance • Groupthink 4

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Factors Affecting Group Cohesiveness •

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Factors Affecting Group Cohesiveness • Group Homogeneity – Homogeneous – Heterogeneous – Slightly heterogeneous • • • Stability of Membership Isolation Outside Pressure Group Size Group Status 5

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group Homogeneity Research 6

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group Homogeneity Research 6

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group Size • Smaller is

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group Size • Smaller is best for cohesiveness • Performance depends on task type – additive tasks – conjunctive tasks – disjunctive tasks 7

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Communication Structure • • Chains

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Communication Structure • • Chains Centralized Circles Open 8

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group Roles • Task-Oriented –

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group Roles • Task-Oriented – offering new ideas – coordinating activities • Maintenance-Oriented – encouraging cohesiveness – encouraging participation • Individual – blocking group activities – calling attention to oneself 9

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Presence of Others • Social

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Presence of Others • Social Facilitation and Inhibition – mere presence of others – comparison of performance – evaluation apprehension • Social Loafing – effort won’t be noticed – free-rider theory – sucker-effect theory 10

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Individual Dominance • By the

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Individual Dominance • By the group leader • By a group member 11

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Groupthink can occur when the

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Groupthink can occur when the group: • • • is cohesive is insulated from outsiders believes it is infallible it is morally superior is under pressure to conform has a leader who promotes a favorite solution • has gatekeepers who keep information from members 12

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group versus Individual Performance •

© 2001 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc Group versus Individual Performance • Groups – have higher quality decisions – are more risky • Individuals – are more creative – make a decision more quickly 13