Chapter 8

Group Cohesion
Advanced Organizer

•Definitions of Cohesion

•Model of Cohesion

•Measuring Cohesion

•Cohesion & Performance

•Other Correlates of Cohesion

•Building Team Cohesion

•Summary
 Defining Cohesion

Cohesion A dynamic process reflected in

the tendency for a group to stick
together and remain united in the
pursuit of its goals and objectives
(Carron, 1982)

Task Cohesion The degree to which group

members work together to
achieve common goals and
objectives

Social Cohesion The interpersonal

attractions among group
members
 Carron’s
Conceptual Model of Cohesion
Environmental factors
•Contractual responsibility
•Organizational orientation

Leadership factors
Personal factors
•Leadership behavior
•Individual orientation
•Leadership style
•Satisfaction
•Coach-athlete personalities
•Individual differences

Team factors
•Group task
•Desire for group success
•Group orientation
•Group productivity norm
•Team ability
•Team stability

Cohesion
•Task Cohesion
•Social cohesion

Group outcomes Individual outcomes

•Team stability •Behavioral consequences
•Absolute performance effectiveness •Absolute performance
•Relative performance effectiveness effectiveness
•Satisfaction
 Measuring Cohesion

Questionnaires (e.g., Group

Environment Questionnaire)
•Sociogram

Bill Ira

Ken Tom Jim

Larry Jay

_________ Attraction
Bob
_ _ _ _ _ _ Rejection
 Cohesion and Performance

Types of *Positive Cohesion-Performance

Measures Relationship With Task Cohesion

Measures

*No Cohesion-Performance
Relationship With Social Cohesion
Measures

Task Demands *Coaching Teams (e.g., Bowling): No

Cohesion-Performance Relationship

*Interacting Teams (e.g., Volleyball):

Cohesion Increases Performance

Circular Performance Success Leads to

Relationship Increased Cohesion, Which In Turn
Leads to Increased Performance
 Other Correlates of Cohesion

Team Satisfaction Increased cohesion is

related to increased
satisfaction.

Conformity The more cohesive a group,

the greater the conformity.

Stability Teams higher in cohesion

can better resist
disruption/teams staying
together longer tend to
be more cohesive

Group Goals Group goals enhance

feelings of cohesion

Adherence to High cohesion in exercise

Exercise class is associated with
fewer dropouts and fewer
late arrivals
 Building Team Cohesion

LEADER-COACH STRATEGIES
• Explain Individual Roles in Team Success
• Develop Pride Within Subunits
• Set Challenging Team Goals
• Encourage Team Identity
• Avoid Formation of Social Cliques
• Avoid Excessive Turnover
• Conduct Periodic Team Meetings to Resolve Conflict
• Stay in Touch With Team Climate
• Know Something Personal About Each Group
Member
 Building Team Cohesion

GROUP MEMBER STRATEGIES

• Get to Know Teammates
• Help Teammates Whenever Possible
• Give Teammates Positive Reinforcement
• Be Responsible
• Communicate Honestly and Openly With
Leader
• Resolve Conflicts Immediately
• Give 100% Effort at All Times