GROUP DYNAMICS

Group Dynamics
Communication and Interaction Patterns
Cohesion
Social Integration and Influence
(Social Control Mechanisms)
Group Culture

Communication and Interaction

Patterns
Whenever people are together in a group,
they are communicating. (T & R)
* Communication patterns can be helpful or
harmful. *

Communication and Interaction

Patterns
Why people communicate:
1. Understanding other people
2. Finding out where they stand in relation to
other people
3. Persuading others
4. Gaining or maintaining power
5. Defending themselves
6. Provoking a reaction from others
7. Making an impression on others
8. Gaining and maintaining relationships
9. Presenting a unified image to the group

Communication and Interaction

Patterns
** OBSERVE, ASSESS, and UNDERSTAND
COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTION
PATTERNS.**

Communication and Interaction

Patterns
Selective Perception influenced by:
1. Life positions that result from experiences
in early childhood
2. Values
3. The status and position of the
communicator
4. Previous experiences
5. Assumptions
6. Stereotypes
** Feedback **

Communication and Interaction

Patterns
Interaction Patterns:
1. Maypole leader to member &
member to leader
2. Round Robin members take turns
3. Hot Seat extended back and forth
exchange between leader and a member
4. Free Floating all members take
responsibility for communicating

Communication and Interaction

Patterns
Patterns of Interaction are influenced by:
1. Cues and Reinforcers
2. Emotional Bonds
3. Subgroups
4. Size and Physical Arrangements
5. Power and Status

Cohesion
The result of all forces acting on members to
remain in a group.

Cohesion
Four interacting sets of variables determine a
members attraction to a group:
1. Need for affiliation, recognition, and security
2. The resources and prestige available through
participation
3. Expectations of the beneficial and detrimental
consequences of the group
4. Comparison of the group with other group
experiences

Social Integration and Influence

(Social Control Mechanisms)
How members fit together and are accepted in a
group.
* Groups are not able to function effectively unless
there is a fairly high level of social integration among
members
Social Control Mechanisms the processes by which the
group-as-a-whole gains sufficient compliance and conformity from
its members to enable it to function in an orderly manner.
Social order and stability are prerequisites for the formation and
maintenance of a cohesive group.

Social Integration and Influence

Norms shared expectations and beliefs
about appropriate ways to act in a social
situation such as a group.
increase predictability, stability, and
security
result from what is valued, preferred, and
accepted behavior
overt or covert

Social Integration and Influence

Changing Norms:
Disequilibrium = unfreezing
Return to equilibrium new norms replace
old norms = refreezing

Social Integration and Influence

Roles shared expectations about the
functions of individuals in the group
Status an evaluation and ranking of each
members position in the group relative to
all other members

Group Culture
Values, beliefs, customs, and traditions held
in common by group members.