Group Dynamics of Performance Mr P Leighton Sports

Group Dynamics of Performance. Mr. P. Leighton Sports Psychology Yr 13

In today’s session… • We will look at the ways GROUP COHESION can be developed. • We will observe the impacts of different group dynamics can have on performance and motivation in pursuit of a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle. • Key theories and contemporary examples linked to these two areas.

So what is Group Cohesion… • Which of these could be called a “Group”? . • Why?

Answers… • A Basketball team, an aerobics session or a PE lessons participants constitute a group. • A football crowd or people running on treadmills in a gym do not constitute a group as they do not have the ability to interact or are not mutually aware of each other. • This is backed up by Mc. Grath (1984) who stated… “Groups are those social aggregates that involve mutual awareness and the potential for interaction”.

Interaction and Interdependence… • Mc. Grath also proposed that groups need to be small enough to allow for interdependence. • Interdependence is a dynamic of being mutually and physically responsible to, and sharing a common set of principles with others. • Carron and Davies (1998) agreed with this and stated that groups should have…

Structured patterns Of communication. Collective Identity. Group Unity The Group… A common goal Shared Purpose

Group Performance: Steiner’s Model… Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity – losses due to faulty processes. OR… (AP = PP – FP) • Actual productivity is the team performance at a given time and refers to the extent of successful interaction. • Potential productivity is the maximum capability of the group when cohesiveness appears at its strongest. • Faulty processes means the factors which can go wrong with team performance. This can detract and impede cohesion and possibly detract from the potential of the team.

Co-ordination losses… (The Ringelmann Effect) • Any breakdown in teamwork is regarded as a co-ordination loss. • This occurs because operational effectiveness of the group as a whole cannot be sustained for the duration of a match. • Maximilien Ringelmann (1861 -1931) had people alone and in groups pull on a rope attached to a strain gauge to measure the pull force. Surprisingly, the total of the group pulls did not equal the sum of the individual pulls - it was less. In contemporary speak, synergy was not created.

Continued… • Team cohesion is more at risk when numbers increase… • What is meant by this? – 5 a Side/ Basketball team: small numbers – Rugby Union: 15 a side: Larger Numbers • The Ringlemann Effect along with Social Loafing are the major faulty processes that prevent a group from becoming a synchronised cohesive unit.

Motivation Losses… (Social Loafing) • Motivation losses relate to an individual who suffers a decrease in motivation during performance causing the player to withdraw effort and “Coast” through a period of play, e. g. Robinho at Manchester City.

Continued… • This loss of motivation and subsequent relaxation can prevent team co-ordination and inhibit team cohesion. • Robinho example: Roberto Mancini stated… “'Does he have a future here? All players try to work hard during the week in training and that is the most important thing. If he wants a future here, then, yes, that is what he has to do”.

The causes of Social Loafing, The Ringlemann Effect and DYSFUNCTIONAL behaviours… • The feeling that others on the team are not trying may cause and individual to make less effort. • “Social Loafing” will arise if a player feels that their performance is not valued or watched by the coach. • A player with low self-confidence will develop a strategy social loafing to protect their self-esteem. • A player who has suffered a negative experience, possibly a loss or a failure, may have the tendency to “loaf”. • A loss of motivation can be linked back to “Avoidance Behaviours”.

Task Cohesion and Social Cohesion… • Task Cohesion is most important for interactive sports such as Hockey. • Task Cohesion relates to how members work together or complete a task successfully. • Social Cohesion is more important in Co-active sports such as Track and Field or Fitness. • Social Cohesion is concerned with formation of groups which provide support and friendship.

Sub-groups… • With larger groups such as a county netball squad there is a possibility that sub-groups can emerge. • This can impede the development of a cohesive unit or team. i. e. Man City Example…

What effects Team Cohesion? Situational Factors. Individual Factors. • Include elements of a specific situation and environment in which the team operates e. g. the time available, interactive or co-active, tradition of leadership. • Group size is also significant as it is more difficult in a large group than a small to facilitate cohesion • This refers to the characteristics of team members. The motivation level and experience in the activity are also examples i. e. Shaun Long joining Hull FC- what will this mean?

What effects Team Cohesion? Leadership Factors. • This involves the style of leadership preferred by the group… – – – Autocratic Democratic Laissez Faire • Leadership styles are determined by… – – – Task Position of the Leader Relationships between all participants. Team Factors. • Team factors include – collective team goals: what do they want as a group? – Good Communication: Is there a barrier to communication? Foreigners/ Sub-groups? – Record of shared success: Arsenal “Invincibles”/ Leeds Rhinos?

Key words from today…

Work for you… • Look over notes from today’s session… • Make notes on “Factors affecting participation in a group or team” (pg. 230) • Make notes on “Group and team effects on behaviour” (pg. 230) up to Leadership on pg. 231.