FOUNDATIONS OF GROUP BEHAVIOR

Contents
 Definition

 Classification

 Reasons to join the group

 Stages of group development (five-stage model)

 Properties of a group

 Group decision making (strengths and weaknesses)

Defining and classifying Groups

Definition
“Two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come
together to achieve particular objectives”.

Classification
1. Formal group
A designated work group defined by the organization‘s structure
E.g. the six members making up an airline flight crew.
2. Informal group
A group that is neither formally structured nor organizationally
determined; appears in response to the need for social contract.
3. Command group
A group composed of individuals who report directly to given
manger. It is determined by organization chart.
4. Task group
Those working together to complete a job task. These are also
organizationally determined.
5. Interest group
Those working together to attain a specific objective with witch
each is concerned or each is interested.
6. Friendship group
Those working together because they share one or more
common characteristics. They may of similar age or ethnic heritage.

Why people join groups

Because of following six reasons
1. Security
To reduce insecurity of standing alone
To reduce threats
2. Status
Group provides recognition and status to its members
3. Self esteem
Group provides feelings of self-worth
4. Affiliation
Group can fulfill social needs.
People enjoy regular interaction due to group
5. Power
There is power in numbers.
Individually something may not be achieved that can be by group.
6. Goal achievement
People join groups to achieve particular goals.
Management rely on the use of formal groups
 Stages of group development
The Five Stage-Models
Basically five stage models are alternative model for temporary groups with deadlines
and it shows that how a group develops.
The five distinct stages groups go through: forming, storming, norming, performing, and
adjourning.

 First stage in group development, characterized by uncertainty.

1. Forming stage

 Uncertainty about group’s purpose, structure, and leadership.

 Members are “testing the water” to determine what type of
behaviors are accepted

 Second stage in group development, characterized by intragroup

2. Storming stage

 Members accept the existence of group

conflicts.

 And there conflict that who will control the group

 When stage is complete then there is clear hierarchy of leadership
within group.

 Third stage in group development, characterized by close

3. Norming stage

 It defines the correct member behavior

relationships and cohesiveness

 Now there is strong sense of group identity

 Group structure is solidified

 Fourth stage in group development, when group is fully functional.

4. Performing stage

 Group energy has moved from getting to know and understand

 For permanent work groups, performing is last stage of

each other to perform task at hand

development

 Final stage in group development for temporary groups,

5. Adjourning stage

characterized by concern with wrapping up activities rather than

 Group prepares for its disbandment

task performance

 High task performance is no longer top priority of group

 Attention is toward wrapping up activities
 Responses of group members vary in this stage
 Some are upbeat; others may be depressed over the loss of
friendships gained during group’s life.
 Group Properties
Properties of a group explain and predict the individual behavior within
the group and performance of group itself.

1. ROLES
Shakespeare said, “All the world is a stage, and all men and women are
merely players” using same, all members are actors, each playing a role.
Definition: “A set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone

 Role identity: certain attributes and behaviors consistent with a

occupying a given position in social unit”.

 Role perception: An individual’s view of how he or she is

role.

 Role expectations: How others believe a person should act in

supposed to act in a given situation.

 Role conflict: A situation in which an individual is confronted by

given situation.

divergent role of expectations.

2. NORMS
All groups have established norms
Definition: “Acceptable standards of behaviors within a group that are

 Reference group: A group to which an individual belong or hope

shared by the group members”.

 Conformity: Adjusting one’s behaviors to align with norms of the

to belong and with whose norms individuals are likely to conform.

 Deviant workplace behavior: voluntary behavior that violates

group.

organizational norms and, in doing so, threatens the well-being of

the organization or its members.

3. STATUS
Definition: “A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group
members by others”.
Status characteristics theory: Theory stating the differences in status
characteristics creates hierarchies within groups.
Status and group interaction: Interactions among the members of group
is influenced by status.
__ high status people tends to be more assertive speak out more often,
more commands, criticize more, and interrupt more others
__low status members tends to be less active, SO over all performance of
the organization reduces.

4. SIZE
Size of a group also the most important property of that group and it
Affects the groups over all behavior.
Social loafing: The tendency for individuals to expand less effort when
working collectively than when working individually.

5. COHESIVENESS
Definition: “Degree to which group members are attracted to each other
and are motivates to stay in the group”.

Group Decision Making

Group versus the Individual
Decision making groups are widely used in organizations but some
uses individual decision making. Which one is more preferable?
It depends upon the number of factors, So must know the strengths and
weaknesses of group decision making


Strengths of group decision making


Groups generate more complete information and knowledge.
By adding several individuals, groups bring more inputs into


decision process.


Groups can bring heterogeneity to decision process.


They offer increased diversity of views.


This opens more approaches and alternatives to be considered.


Finally it leads to increased acceptance of solution.
Group members also encourage others to accept it.


Weaknesses of group decision making
They are time consuming (groups take more time to reach a

 There are conformity pressures in groups.

solution than individuals)

 Group can be dominated by one or members.

 Group decision suffer from ambiguous responsibility(in an
individual decision its clear that who is accountable for final
outcome)
Effectiveness and efficiency
Group decisions are generally more accurate than individual
decisions.
In terms of speed individual decisions are more superior.