Foundations of Group Behavior

Define Group, and Differentiate

Between Different Types of Groups
A group is defined as two or more individuals,
interacting and interdependent, who have come
together to achieve particular objectives.
What Does It Take to Make a Group?
Groups can be either formal or informal.
Formal groups – those defined by the
organization’s structure.
Informal groups – alliances that are neither
formally structured nor organizationally
determined.
Command Group Task Group
A group composed of the Those working together to
individuals who report directly to complete a job or task.
a given manager.

Interest Group Friendship Group

Those working together to Those brought together because
attain a specific objective with they share one or more common
which each is concerned. characteristics.
Why People Join Groups

• Security
• Status
• Self-esteem
• Affiliation
• Power
• Goal Achievement
Group development stages
Figure

Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning

© PhotoDisc
Group development stages
Groups members try to set
rules for group behaviors
Forming Individuals start to find
out about each other.
Guidance is needed from
the leader.
Group development stages
Characteristics of the Forming
Stage ：
 Exploration.
Forming
 Focus on similarities and
differences.
 First impressions are key.
 Confusion/anxiety.
 Lower productivity.
 Issues of inclusion, leadership,
developing trust.
 Open communication is a must.
Group development stages
A conflict stage where
members bargain with each
other.
Individuals reveal their
personal goals and may resist
the control of others.
Storming
Group development stages
Characteristics of the
Storming Stage:
 Competition.
 Strained relationships.
 Leader is challenged.
 Tension and disunity.
 Differences are uncomfortable.
Storming
 Issues of autonomy vs. control,
support vs. competition, influence,
and decision-making.
Group development stages
Group members are
developing ways of
working together.
They agree on the shared
goals.
Rules have been
developed.
Norming

© PhotoDisc
Group development stages
Characteristics of the
Norming Stage:
Increased cohesion.
More collaboration.
Emerging trust.
Appreciation of
differences.
Issues of strengthening
Norming relationships, open
communication,
positive/constructive
feedback.

© PhotoDisc
Group development stages
The group has
developed unity or
cohesion.
People are getting the
job done to realize
goals.

Performing

© PhotoDisc
Group development stages
 Characteristics of the Performing
Stage:
You have to go through the
other stages to get here.
Harmony.
Productivity.
Problem-solving.
Shared and participative
leadership.
Full development of potential.
Performing

© PhotoDisc
Group development stages
 The group ends. The group
terminates because the task has
been achieved or when the
members have left due to failure
or loss of interest.
 The feelings of members vary at
this stage. While some may be
happy about the group's
accomplishments others may be
depressed that they would be
losing their friends after the
Adjourning group is disbanded.
© PhotoDisc
Identify the Five Stages of
Group Development
Identify the Five Stages of
Group Development
 Show How Role Requirements
Change In Different Situations
Role – a set of expected behavior patterns attributed
to someone occupying a given position in a social
unit.
Role perception – one’s perception of how to act
in a given situation.
Role expectations – how others believe one should
act in a given situation.
Psychological contract
Role conflict – situation in which an individual
faces divergent role expectations.
Demonstrate How Norms and Status
Exert Influence On an Individual’s Behavior
Norms – acceptable standards of behavior within a
group that are shared by the group’s members.
Performance norms
Appearance norms
Social arrangement norms
Resource allocation norms
Ostracism
Rejection by the group for violation of its norms.
Demonstrate How Norms and Status
Exert Influence On an Individual’s Behavior
Status – a socially defined position or rank given to
groups or group members by others.
Status characteristics theory – differences in
status characteristics create status hierarchies within
groups.
Status is derived from one of three sources:
The power a person wields over others.
A person’s ability to contribute to a group’s
goals.
An individual’s personal characteristics.
Show How Group Size Affects
Group Performance
Group size affects the group’s overall behavior.
Large groups are good for gaining diverse input.
Smaller groups are better doing something with
input.
Social loafing – the tendency for individuals to
expend less effort when working collectively than
alone.
 Group Properties - Size

Performance

Other conclusions:
• Odd number groups do better
)
ed

f ing than even.

ct

a
pe

l o • Groups of 5 to 7 perform
to
Ex

u e better overall than larger or

( d smaller groups.
a l
t u
Ac

Group Size
Implications for Managers
Be certain your employees fully understand their
roles so you can accurately assess their
performance.
Implications for Managers
In group situations where the norms support high
output, you can expect markedly higher individual
performance than when the norms restrict output.
Group norms that support antisocial behavior
increase the likelihood that individuals will engage in
deviant workplace activities.
Implications for Managers
Pay attention to the organizational status levels of the
employee groups you create.
Because lower-status people tend to participate less
in group discussions, groups with high status
differences are likely to inhibit input from lower-
status members and reduce their potential.
Implications for Managers
When forming employee groups, use larger groups for
fact-finding activities and smaller groups for action-
taking tasks.
When creating larger groups, you should also
provide measures of individual performance.
To increase employee satisfaction, work on making
certain your employees perceive their job roles the
same way you perceive their roles.