Foundations of Group Behavior Organizational Behavior Hankuk University

Foundations of Group Behavior Organizational Behavior Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Patrick Nadig

Foundations of Group Behavior Agenda Groups Definition, theories, stages of group development Decision-Making Techniques Interacting groups, brainstorming, nominal group technique Group Properties Conclusion Roles, Norms, Status, Size, Cohesiveness, Diversity Group Decision Making Strengths & Weaknesses, Groupthink, Groupshift Q&A

Foundations of Group Behavior Group Interaction/Independent Formal Groups defined by an organization’s structure Informal Groups that are formed for social contact 1

Foundations of Group Behavior Why do people form groups ? 2

Foundations of Group Behavior Answer • Social identity theory : emotional reactions to failing and succeeding, Self–Esteem linked into group performance. • Ingroup favortisim : Chinese ruler once said “People see what is like them as right and what is not like them as wrong ”. 3

Foundations of Group Behavior Social Identity Characteristics. • • • Similarity : Same values and characteristics, Demographic similarity High levels of identification. Uncertainty reduction : Members help people identify who they are and how they fit in the world. Status : Tendency Identify themselves and build their self-esteem to link with high-status group. • Distinctiveness : Notice identity that shows how different they are from other groups. 4

Foundations of Group Behavior STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT 5

Foundations of Group Behavior THE PUNCTUATED-EQUILIBRIUM MODEL • An alternative model that temporary groups with deadlines go through that invovles transitions between inertia and activity. 6

Portfolio One ROLE Lemon drops oat cake sugar plum sweet gingerbread chocolate cake gingerbread. SIZE Lemon drops oat cake sugar plum sweet gingerbread chocolate cake gingerbread. NORMS STATUS Lemon drops oat cake sugar plum sweet gingerbread chocolate cake gingerbread. COHESIVENESS TIES Portfolio Six R ROPE UP P GRO Portfolio Three DIVERSITY 9

Foundations of Group Behavior Roles “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” William Shakespeare, 1564 -1616 8

Foundations of Group Behavior Roles Different groups enforce different role requirements on individuals : Role Perception Role Expectations Psychological Contract Role Conflict • An individual’s view of how he or she is supposed to act in a given situation. Ex. Girls Generation • How others believe a person should act in a given situation. Ex. Football coach • Swiss Guy very calm and neutral • Unwritten agreement that sets out what management expects from an employee and vice versa. Ex. Management fair treatment and feedback, employee good attitude and following directions • Situation in which an individual is confronted by divergent role expectations. Ex. Bill Gates (Job OR Family ? ) 9

Foundations of Group Behavior Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment “Prison” “guard or prisoner" Authority Roles "The most apparent thing that I noticed was how most of the people in this study derive their sense of identity and well-being from their immediate surroundings rather than from within themselves, and that's why they broke down—just couldn't stand the pressure—they had nothing within them to hold up against all of this. ” Philip G. Zimbardo, The Lucifer Effect: Understanding how good people turn evil. 10

Foundations of Group Behavior TYPES OF NORMS 1. Performance Norm : How hard should members work ? What the level of output should be ? How to get the job done ? 1. Appearance Norm : Dress codes, Office design. 1. Social Arrangement Norms : Who to eat lunch with ? Forming friendship ? 1. Resource Allocation Norms : Assignments of difficult jobs, distribution of payment or equipment. 11

Foundations of Group Behavior Norms The Hawthrone Studies Conformity Reference Groups Deviant Workplace Behavior Full-scale appreciation The adjustment of one’s Important groups to which Voluntary behavior that of the influence of behavior to align with individuals belong or violates significant norms on employee the norms of the group hope to belong and with organizational norms and, behavior. Relationship those whose norms in so doing, threatens the between physical individuals are likely to well-being of the environment and conform organization or its productivity, Small members group of women isolated, Effect of a 12

Foundations of Group Behavior Typology of Deviant Workplace Behavior Production Property • Leaving early • Sabotage • Intentionally • Lying about hours working slowly • Wasting resources Political • Showing favoritism • Gossiping, spreading rumors • Blaming co-workers worked Typology of Deviant Workplace Behavior • Stealing from org. Personal aggression • Sexual harassment • Verbal abuse • Stealing from co. 13

Foundations of Group Behavior Status A socially defined position or rank given to groups or groups members by others Definition Textbook 14

Status characteristics theory A theory that states that differences in status characteristics create status hierarchies within groups. 1. The power a person wields over others People who control the outcomes tend to be perceived as high status 2. Person’s ability to contribute to a group’s goals People who tend to be critical to the group’s success tend to have high status 3. An individual’s personal characteristics When someones personal characteristics (good look, intelligence, money) are positively valued by the group higher status 15

Foundations of Group Behavior Status and… Status and Norms • • • High-status often more freedom Better able to resist conformity pressures May improve performance to certain point Status and Group Interaction • • • High-status tend to be more assertive group members Speak out, criticize, state commands, interrupt Status inhibit diversity/creativity Status Inequity • • • Important for group members status hierarchy is fair Large differences in status poorer individual performance, higher intention to leave Different status criteria Status and Stigmatization • • “Stigma by association” effect Can be negative or positive 16 18

Foundations of Group Behavior Size Dozen ore more Social loafing Max Ringelman Dispersion of Responsibility 17

Foundations of Group Behavior Cohesiveness What is it? The degree to which group members are attracted to each other and are motivated to 1. Make group smaller stay in the group. 2. Ecourage agreement with group goals 3. Increase time members spend together 4. Increase group’s status, perceived difficulty membership 5. Stimulate competition with other groups 6. Give rewards to group rather than to individuals 7. Physically isolate the group 18

Foundations of Group Behavior Diversity Definition Surface-level diversity Origin, race, gender Deep-level diversity The extent to which members Attitudes, values, of a group are similar to, or opinions different from, one another. 19

Foundations of Group Behavior Diversity & Effectiveness • Appears to increase group conflict • Wilderness survival exercise • Organizational support and leadership might offset problems • Faultlines! 20

Group Decision Making 21

Foundations of Group Behavior Groups versus the Individual Strengths • More information/knowledge • Diversity of views • Acceptance of a solutuion Strengths Weakness • Conformity Pressures • Can be dominated by one or a few • Ambiguous responsibility Effectiveness Efficiency Effectiveness and Efficiency • Depends how you define it • Generally more accurate • Speed individuals superior • Creativity goes to group 22

Foundations of Group Behavior Groupthink and Groupshift Groupthink A phenomemon in which the norm for consensus Groupshift Groupthink Groupshift Change between a group’s decision and an individual overrides the realistic decision that a member appraisal of alternative within the group would courses of action make 23

Foundations of Group Behavior Symptoms of Groupthink Rationalize resistance Direct pressures Avoid deviating Illusion of unanimity 24

Foundations of Group Behavior Group Decision-Making Techniques Interacting groups Typical groups, interact face to face 0 Nominal group technique No discussion during decisionmaking process, independent thinking Brainstorming Idea-generation, think the unusual, no criticism 25

Foundations of Group Behavior Conclusion 1 2 3 Norms controll behavior with standards of wright&wrong. Moreover, status influences productivity and wiillingness to remain with an organization Impact of size on a group’s performance depends on the type of task. Cohesiveness may influence a group’s level of productivity Diversity and its negative/positive influences. People prefer to communicate with their own status level or higher Thank you! Kamsahamnida! Vielen Dank! 26

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