Course Code NSTP1 Instructor John Christopher M.

Segovia
Course Title National Service Email jcsegovia.tcc@gmail.com
Training Program 1 jcsegovia@tccollege.com.ph
Course 3 Contact +639267806965
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Learning Module 5
Duration of Delivery: October 12 – 16, 2021
Due Date of Deliverables: October 15, 2021

Intended Learning Outcomes:

 State the fundamentals of group and group dynamics.

 Explain the concepts, characteristics, and types of groups; and
 Classify groups as formal or informal.
FUNDAMENTALS OF GROUP DYNAMICS
This chapter dwells on the fundamentals of group dynamics, which include the
forces found in small groups, concepts of social groups, special properties of groups,
types of groups, characteristics of a group, and kinds of formal and informal groups.

Group
Group is defined as two or more persons engaged in
a social interaction. This implies that each member of
a group is aware of the other members and their
influence. Some psychologists consider this definition
too general and prefer to limit the use of the term
group to a collection of individuals who find their
association with one another rewarding. Others say
that a group exists only when the individual members
have developed status and role relationships with
respect to one another. Still others insist that the
individuals must have a common goal in order for them to be considered as a group.
The existence of any group is assumed to depend on the participation and
satisfaction of the individuals comprising it.

Group Dynamics
The social process by which people interact in a small group and in a face-to-
face manner is called group dynamics. Dynamics comes from the Greek word dunamis
which means “force”. Group dynamics then refers to study of the forces operating within
a group.
Forces Found in Small Groups
There are two important historical landmarks in understanding small groups.
These are the research of Elton Mayo and his associates in the 1920s and 1930s, and
the experiments conducted in the 1930s by Kurt Lewin, considered as the founder of the
group dynamics movement. According to Mayo,
workers tend to establish formal groups that affect
job satisfaction and effectiveness. Lewin shows that
different kinds of leadership attitudes produce
different responses in groups.
A group is composed of individuals who have
come together to accomplish a particular task or
goal. Groups dynamics refers to the attitudinal and
behavioral characteristics of a group. In a group, the
members share consciousness of membership and
interaction. A group is not a mere collection of
individuals but an aggregate of personalities acting and interacting with one another in
the process of living. To be a member of a group, one must participate in its common
life and activities. Group dynamics form the structure of a group and how its members
function.

Concepts of Social Group

San Juan and Centeno (2011) present that
“psychologically, man is said to be a rational being;
political and power-seeking being; theologically, he
is a religious, God-seeking being; and
sociologically, man is gregarious social being
seeking the company of other social beings.” The
saying “No man is an island” explains that a person
cannot live satisfactorily by him/herself alone.
His/Her very existence and the satisfaction of
his/her needs and wants, as well as his/her
happiness, depends to a large degree upon his/her
association with other people.

Special Properties of Groups

The special properties of groups are illustrated by a simple lesson in
mathematics, as in one plus one equals three. This is a logical error in the world of
mathematics. In the world of dynamics, however, this is rational. In a group, there is no
such thing as merely a composition of two people. It is their relationship that makes it
three. For instance, salt (sodium chloride) has different properties from the sodium and
the chlorine elements that form a group to make it (San Juan & Centeno, 2011)
Group types are classified as formal or informal in nature. Formal work groups
are established by an organization to achieve its goals.

Types of Groups
Groups are generally classified as follows:
1. Primary group is characterized by intimate face-to-face association and
cooperation among its members. It fundamentally forms the social nature and
ideals of an individual. It involves sympathy and mutual identification which is a
form of natural expression (San Juan & Centeno, 2011)
2. Secondary group consists of members who are aware and cognizant of personal
relationships, but they do not feel that their lives are bound with one another
except in time of social crisis. The members may be separated from one another
by distance or by lack of personal physical contact. Nevertheless, they can share
their interests through correspondence, press, radio, telephone, or other means
(San Juan & Centeno, 2011)

Characteristics of a Group
Here are the important characteristics of a group:
1. Interaction is the pattern of mutual influence (physical, verbal, non-verbal,
emotional, etc.)
2. Structure is a stable pattern of relationships.
a) Role’s deal with the behavior expected if members in a given position.
b) Norms are the rules that identify and describe appropriate behavior.
c) Inter-member relations are influenced by authority and communication.
3. Goals are the reason for existence.
4. Perceived groupness is the extent in which member see themselves as one
(common fate, similarity, proximity).
5. Dynamic interdependency occurs when the members are active, energized,
vibrant, and changing.
6. Motivation focuses on personal needs which-when attained-lead to satisfaction.
Kinds of Formal Groups
Formal groups are divided into the following:
1. Command groups are specified by the organizational chart and often
composed of a leader and the members who directly report to him/her.

Examples: An academic department consisting of a chair and

faculty members.

2. Task groups consist of people who work together to achieve a common

task. Members are brought together to accomplish a narrow range of
goals within a specified time.
Example: Ad hoc committees, project groups; standing committees

3. Functional groups are created by an organization to accomplish specific

goals within an unspecified time frame. They continue to function even
after their goals have been achieved.

Example: A sales and marketing department

Kinds of Informal Groups

1. Interest groups usually continue over time and may last longer than
general informal groups. The goals and objectives of interest groups are
specific to each group and may not be related to organizational goals and
objectives.

Example: Students who come together to form a study group for a specific
class.

2. Friendship groups are informed

by individuals who enjoy similar social
activities, political beliefs, religious
values, or other common bonds.
Members enjoy each other’s company.

Examples: Students who have an

exercise group or who meet for a so-
called jamming.
 3. Reference groups are composed of people who are evaluated for social
validation and social comparison. Social validation allows individuals to
justify their attitudes and value while social comparison helps individuals
evaluate their own actions by comparing themselves with others.
Informal groups formed naturally in response to the common interests and
shared values of individuals. They are created for purposes other than the
accomplishment of organizational goals and do not have specified time frame.
Informal groups are not designated by an organization and members can invite
others to join from time to time.
Meeting is convened for different purposes. Some are for information, advice,
decision-making, negotiation, coordination, and creative thinking. A committee holds
a specific type of meeting in which members have been delegated authority with
regard to the problem at hand.
Meeting of five people seems to be preferred for typical situations (Davis 1982).
A smaller group sometimes has difficulty functioning because conflicts of power
develop. If membership arises above seven, communication tends to become
centralized because members do not have adequate opportunity to communicate
with one another (Evangelista 1992).

Teamwork
Teamwork is the process of
working collaboratively with a group of
people in order to achieve a goal. It is often a
crucial part of a business as it is often
necessary for colleagues to work well
together and try their best in any
circumstances. Teamwork means that
people will try to cooperate by using their
individual skills and providing constructive
feedback, despite any personal conflict
between individuals. Teamwork brings
people together for a common purpose or goal and subordinates the needs of
individuals to the needs of the group. Many management gurus define a team as a
group of individuals passionately committed to their end goal. When groups have
common goals, teamwork is vital to success. Teachers expect teamwork among
students; employers expect employees to function effectively as a team; and most
organizations convene teams to handle problems or projects. Therefore, it is important
to learn teamwork skills even if you prefer to work independently.
 What does teamwork look like in action? Basically, group members focus on
the goal. They put aside individual differences and petty grievances to get the job done.
They show passion for the project, and each contributes to its success.

Time Management
The succeeding sections have been adopted from the writing of Paulla Estes
edited by Nikki Foster (May 28,2012)
Time management is the art of arranging, organizing, scheduling, and
budgeting one’s time for the purpose of generating more effective work and productivity.
There is an abundance of books, classes, workshops, and day-planner, and seminars
on time management, which teach individuals and corporations how to be more
organized and productive. Time management has become crucial in recent years,
thanks to the 24/7, busy work in which we live.
Time management is important for everyone. While time management books
and seminars often place their focus on
business leaders and corporations, time
management is also necessary fir
students, factory workers, professionals,
and homemakers. Time management is
perhaps most essential for the person who
runs a business of his/her own or now.
Managing work and home responsibilities
under the same roof takes a special type
of time management.
An important aspect of time
management is planning ahead.
Sometimes, successful time management
involves putting in more time at the outset in order to reorganize one’s life. Though
many time management books and teachings differ in their suggestions, most agree
that the first step in efficient time management is to organize the workspace. Even if
one’s schedule is well ordered but if the office and filing systems are a disaster, time will
be wasted trying to work efficiently in a disorderly place.
Good time management involves keeping a schedule of the tasks and
activities that have been deemed important. Keeping a calendar or daily planner is
helpful to stay on task, but self-discipline is also required. The most efficient to-do list in
the world will not help someone who does not look at or follow his/her own daily
planner.

Decision-making
Decision making is a process that involves selecting the most logical choice
form among two or more options. An example is deciding whether to move to a new
apartment, to live with the in-laws, or stay in the same apartment. Making a decision is
instrumental in the survival and prosperity of human beings. The right choice is what
sets an average individual from the rest. Although the ability to make the correct
decision within a short span of time is a highly valued trait, we cannot simply follow a set
of patterns when deciding on a course of action at all points in time. There are different
types of decision-making that we do depending on the situation at hand.
Consider the following in decision making:
1. Identification of alternative solutions
2. Evaluation of possible options to determine which one meets the decision
objectives.
3. Selection of the best option after an in-depth evaluation.

Involvement in Decision-making
Every group has to make a decision at
one time or another and all the members have to
make a commitment to choose the best option
available. The following are the different types of
involvement in making decisions:
1. Consensus or agreement involves
compromising various possibilities after all
opinions have been heard. Disagreements
and minority viewpoints are discussed fully.
Everyone feels free to express
himself/herself. This method helps build
understanding unity, cooperation, and
commitment.
 2. Majority voting is considered the most effective way to make a decision.
However, one may lose the interest or loyalty of the members of the minority who
voted against the decision, especially if they feel their side was not heard.
3. The Minority is not consciously organized, but a few powerful personalities
dominate the group, often unconsciously. These people later wonder why the
others are apathetic.
4. The silent Consensus of some groups leads to unanimous decisions. This type of
involvement in decision-making is rarely applied when tackling important issues.
Unanimous agreement is sometimes assumed when some members do not want
to disagree and have chosen to stay silent.
5. The clique is a small group whose members plan beforehand to get their way in
decision-making. Because they are better organized than those who disagree,
they are often successful in getting/having their own way in resolving an
immediate issue, but they bring a spirit of rivalry, rather than cooperation to the
group.
6. The handclaps happen when one person makes a suggestion, and another
comments it. Without further discussion, the matter is decided. Resentment,
however, surfaces later on.
7. The one-person decision is quickly made, but later when the decider needs free
voluntary support from others to implement the decision, he/she might find
trouble getting it.
8. The plop occurs when a group makes a decision by not making a decision at all.
Someone makes a suggestion, but it is dropped or junked altogether, and no one
pays any attention to it.

Difficulties in Decision-Making
1. Fear of consequences brings division and disagreement.
2. Conflicting loyalties of one person of a member of different groups frequently
leads to divided loyalties about decision.
3. Interpersonal conflicts and personal differences evoke various feelings among
members, which interfere with sound decision-making.
4. Hidden agenda or secret motive can hinder decision-making for a reason a
member does not share with the group.
5. Blundering methods include using rigid procedures that leaves little room for
expressing differing views, substituting personal opinions for adequate
information, and disregarding proper consultation or consensus.
6. Inadequate leadership restricts the expression of opinions and discussion on
issues. Leaders fail to provide assistance in selecting appropriate methods for
decision-making or are insensitive to the factors that cause difficulty in the group.
7. Clash of interest occurs when different groups or individuals within an
organization have opposing interests.
Conclusion
A person cannot live alone he/she needs the
company of others. By nature, a social being who
needs to form a group, a person has his/her own
community. Aside from permanent groupings, there
are also temporary ones such as the various
organizations in society, which may be religious,
economic, or political in nature.
Forming a group is important to every human
being because he/she needs a companion for the
rest of his/her life. However, regulation must be
imposed and followed for the smooth existence of
any group.