INTRODUCTION TO GROUP BEHAVIOUR What are Groups?

Two or more individuals, interacting and Interdependent, who have come

together to achieve particular objectives
Group Behaviour
Group behaviour emanates from the causes that contribute to the group’s
effectiveness. �
The well structured, well defined role and status hierarchy, able leadership,
well developed norms and strong cohesiveness a group has, the greater is the
groupthink. �
Groupthink is defined as “the deterioration of mental efficiency, reality
testing, and moral judgement in the interest of group solidarity.”
As groups function and interact with other groups, they develop their own
unique set of characteristics including structure, cohesiveness, roles, norms
and processes. As a result, groups may cooperate or compete with other
groups, and intergroup competition can lead to conflict.
EXTERNAL CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON THE GROUP Groups are
a subset of a larger workplace consisting of the following:
Organization Strategy
Organizational Infrastructure �
Leadership �
Rules �
Resources �
Evaluation and Rewards
Organizational Culture
GROUP MEMBER RESOURCES
A group’s potential level of performance is, to a large extent,
dependent on the resources that its members individually bring to the
group.
Abilities �
Set the parameters for what members can do and how effectively
they will perform in a group
Personality Characteristics �
The magnitude of the effect of any single Characteristic is small, but
taking personality characteristics together, the consequences for
group behaviour are of major significance.

ROLES
 A role is a set of expected behaviour patterns attributed to someone
occupying a given position in a social unit.
�Role Identity:
Certain attitudes and behaviours consistent with a role
�Role Perception:
An individual’s view of how he or she is supposed to act in a given
situation �Role Expectations
How others believe a person should act in a given situation �
Role Conflict:
A situation in which an individual is confronted by divergent role
expectations
ROLES IN GROUPS
Task-oriented roles
Roles performed by group members to ensure that the tasks of the
group are accomplished
Maintenance roles
Roles performed by group members to maintain good relations within
the group Individual roles
Roles performed by group members that are not productive for
keeping the group on task

GROUP COHESIVENESS , PRODUCTIVITY VS

PERFORMANCE Performance Norms
Cohesiveness Moderate to low productivity
Moderate productivity High productivity
Low productivity High Low High Low

ASSIGNING APPROPRIATE TASKS �

The group task is a whole and meaningful piece of work, with a
visible outcome �
The outcomes of the group’s work on the task have significant
consequences for other people �
The task provides group members with substantial autonomy for
deciding about how they do the work �
Work on the task generates regular, trustworthy feedback about how
well the group is performing
BUILDING GROUP COHESIVENESS �
Clear Purpose �
Participation �
Civilized Disagreement �
Open Communications �
Listening �Informal Climate �
Consensus Decisions �
Clear Roles and Work Assignments �
Shared Leadership �
Style Diversity �External Relationships �
Self-assessment

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Specific form of group made up of individuals who

work together in a coordinated effort.
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1. Share common identity

2. Have common goals and objectives

3. Share common leadership

4. Share successes and failures

5. Cooperate and collaborate

6. Have membership roles

7. Make decision effectively

BENEFITS a) To the organization 1. Increased productivity and
quality 2. Increased employee morale 3. Reduced overhead b) To
individuals 1. Work become less stressful 2. Responsibility is shared
3. Greater feelings of self-worth 4. Rewards and recognition are
shared TEAM FORMATION AND ASSESSMENT TEAM
RECRUITMENT CONSIDERATION 1. The level of technical ability of
potential team members 2. The level of interpersonal skills of
potential team members

Groups- Definition and Classification :

Groups- Definition and Classification Groups A group is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and
inter-dependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives Classification Formal Groups
Command Groups Task Groups Informal Groups Interest Groups Friendship Group

Formal Groups :
Formal Groups Formal Groups A designated work group defined by the organization structure Command
Group A manager and his immediate subordinates, Examples: Principal of the college and his faculty, Sales
Manager and his group of sales persons Task Group Those working together to complete a job or task.
Generally, multi-disciplinary groups where members represent their command group. Examples: Special
study groups, project groups, ERP implementation task groups Matrix organization structure

Informal Groups :
Informal Groups Informal Groups A group that is neither formally structured nor organizationally determined;
appears in response to the need for social contact Interest Group Those working together to attain a specific
objective with which each one is concerned. Examples: Individuals staying closer to each other and forming
car pools, employees joining together to support an aggrieved colleague Friendship Group Those brought
together because they share one or more common characteristics. Examples: Ethnic groups, persons
sharing interest in common sports or hobbies, family friends, etc.

Why Do people Join Groups :

Why Do people Join Groups Security Status Self-esteem Affiliation Power Goal Achievement

Five stage Group Development Model :

Five stage Group Development Model Forming The first stage in group development characterized by much
uncertainty Storming The second stage in group development, characterized by intra-group conflict Norming
The third stage in group development, characterized by close relationships and cohesiveness Performing
The fourth stage in group development, when the group is fully functional Adjourning The final stage in
group development for temporary groups, characterized by concern with wrapping up activities rather than
task performance

Stages of Group Development :

Stages of Group Development
Five stage Group Development Model :
Five stage Group Development Model Model Critique Model is simplified depiction of what really happens-
much more complex Under some conditions high level of conflict is conducive to high group performance, so
groups in Stage 2 may outperform those in stages 3 and 4 Groups may not proceed sequentially from one
stage to the next. Sometimes several stages may go on simultaneously- groups may be storming and
performing at the same time Groups sometimes regress to previous stages Organizational context Case of 3
member cockpit crew in an airliner Speedy group development due to strong organizational context
surrounding the tasks Context provided the rules, task definitions, information, and resources needed for the
group to perform Group members did not have to develop plans, assign roles, allocate resources needed for
the group to perform

Group Roles :
Group Roles Roles: norms define group standards, while roles govern behavior Formal roles: assigned to
establish order Informal roles Task roles: helps group accomplish goals Social roles: maintenance,
concerned with relationships

Task Roles In Groups :

Task Roles In Groups Initiating: defining the problem, suggesting activities, assigning tasks. Information
seeking: asking questions, seeking relevant data or views. Information sharing: providing data, offering
opinions.

Task Roles In Groups :

Task Roles In Groups Summarizing: reviewing and integrating others’ points, checking for common
understanding and readiness for action. Evaluating: assessing validity of assumptions, quality of information,
reasonableness of recommendations. Guiding: keeping group on track.

Relationship Roles In Groups :

Relationship Roles In Groups Harmonizing: resolving interpersonal conflicts, reducing tension. Encouraging:
supporting and praising others, showing appreciation for other's contributions, being warm and friendly.
Gate-keeping: assuring even participation by all group members, making sure that everyone has a chance
to be heard and that no individual dominates.

Group Norms :
Group Norms Norms: unstated rules Social norms Procedural norms Task norms

Group Cohesiveness :
Group Cohesiveness In a cohesive group, members consider the group to be more important than any
individual in it. The advantages of a cohesive group are: Group quality standards can be developed; Group
members work closely together so inhibitions caused by ignorance are reduced; Team members learn from
each other and get to know each other’s work; Egoless programming where members strive to improve each
other’s programs can be practised.

Developing cohesiveness :
Developing cohesiveness Cohesiveness is influenced by factors such as the organisational culture and the
personalities in the group. Cohesiveness can be encouraged through Social events; Developing a group
identity and territory; Explicit team-building activities. Openness with information is a simple way of ensuring
all group members feel part of the group.

Teams :
Teams Definition A team is an energetic group of people, committed to achieving a common objective, who
work well together, enjoy doing so, and produce high quality results. Team building is a process designed to
create a work climate where members can achieve work satisfaction by directing their energy, creativity and
imagination toward improving their work and work environment. Teamwork is characterized by the team’s
willingness to examine it’s process so as to continuously improve itself as a team and as individuals.

Differences Between Groups and Teams :

Differences Between Groups and Teams Team members usually have a stronger sense of identification
among themselves than group members do. Teams have common goals or tasks. Task interdependence
typically is greater with teams than with groups. Teams have synergy that may or may not be existing
amongst group members

Effective Team Characteristics :

Effective Team Characteristics Clear & Elevated Goal Collaborative Climate Competent Team Members
External Support & Recognition Results - Driven Structure Principled Leadership Standards Of Excellence
Unified Commitment Team Excellence

Emotional behavior
There are situations where a person or animal may respond emotionally with anger,
fear, joy, sorrow or excitement. Love and hate are emotions, but they don't seem to
be distinct reactions, as are with the other emotions.

The way a person or animal emotionally responds or reacts to a stimulus determines

his or her emotional behavior. This reaction follows some specific rules that may be
learned or genetically hard-wired into the species.

Rules for anger and fear

The emotions of anger and fear come as a reaction to a threat or irritation. The rules
for the response are:

If you are threatened or irritated, and the other person or animal seems:

• Weaker, then you get angry and even attack

• Stronger, then you become fearful and perhaps flee

These emotions are for survival.

Rules for joy, sorrow and excitement

The emotions of joy, sorrow or excitement come from gaining or losing something.

• If you gain something you want, then you become joyful

• If you lose something dear to you, then you become sorrowful
• If there is anticipation, then you become excited

These emotions are the essence of motivation.

Bad behavior
There are situations where a person or animal may respond in a manner that is anti-
social or breaking certain rules or laws. Examples of bad or anti-social behavior
include:

• A person may act rude and break common social rules by skipping in line, or
he may even break laws by stealing or harming others.
• A child may not mind his or her parents, as well as to talk back to them.
 • A trained animal may not mind its master and obey commands.
• An animal in the wild may not follow the rules of cooperation in its society--
although this situation seems to be rare.

Reasons for such behavior is often that what is wanted is a greater reward than
possible consequences of breaking the rules, laws or commands.

Uncontrolled behavior
There are situations where a person or animal may respond in a manner that is
uncontrolled. Often this is related to emotional behavior, but it also may be due to
addictions of some sort.

For example, while everyone may get angry, there are some who easily lose their
temper and even go into an uncontrolled rage. Likewise, there are people who are so
addicted to gambling that they can't stop this type of behavior.

It is difficult to determine the reasons for the various types of uncontrolled behavior.

Group behavior
There are situations where a group of people or animals act as an entity itself or may
result in anti-social or uncontrolled behavior by the individuals in the group.
Sometimes this is called the "mob mentality."

The rules for behavior in groups can often lead to surprising results. In the example
of a flock of birds in flight or a school of fish, a few rules about their motion can
result in a variety of activities.

Participants in a group during a protest demonstration are often taken up with the
emotions of the group that they may do violent acts that they normally would not
think of doing. Possible rules are:

• If in a group, you tend to mirror the emotions of the people near you.
• The leaders of the group can incite emotions in the group.

One reason for group behavior is that people and animals are influenced by those
around them, such that the group becomes almost like an organism in itself.

Summary
Emotional, anti-social, uncontrolled, and group behavior are interesting behavior
classifications that follow their own rules and have their own reasons for happening.
These types of behavior are important enough to warrant further study
Group Behaviour

Each member of the group affects the behaviour of other members and in turn, is affected by
them. Behaviour of individual members in a group are analysed by the following factors:

a) Group Norms:

Norms are rules of behaviour or proper ways of action that are accepted as legitimate by
group members.

Features:

• Summarizes and simplifies group influence processes

• Norms developed by behaviours that are considered as important by most group
members
• Functions:

-> Norms help the group to accomplish its goals

-> Helps the group to maintain itself as a group

• The degree to which individuals in the group adhere to norm is based on the amount
of profit
• More stable and cohesive a group is, the more likely it is to exercise conformity to its
norms

b) Group Cohesiveness:

It means the degree of attachment of the members to their group.

• Number of members is small

• Members interact frequently, interpersonal communication is very effective
• Members stand united against any perceived external threats to the group
• Group has a history of past success
• Higher group cohesion, high group interactions, the degree of agreement in group
opinion is high
• Group size has an inverse relationship with group cohesiveness
• Productivity of a cohesive group tends to be more uniform

c) Group Decision Making:

It allows persons to interact simultaneously and arrive at a decision. All the members must
agree to the proposed decision.

• Every member in the group decision making process adheres to a set of norms meant
for achieving goals
• Members with higher status/expertise alter the thinking and attitudes of other group
members
• Leader performs two roles:
o Task Role – Defines problems, requests for ideas & opinions, clarifies confusing
situations
o Social Role – Maintain group relationship by playing a supporting role