Group dynamics

1. Group dynamics • Group dynamics is the study of groups, and also a general term for group processes. In psychology, sociology, and communication studies . A group is two or more individuals who are connected to each other by social relationships. Because they interact and influence each other, groups develop a number of dynamic processes that separate them from a random collection of individuals. These processes include norms, roles, relations, development, need to belong, social influence, and effects on behavior. The field of group dynamics is primarily concerned with small group behavior. Groups may be classified as aggregate, primary, secondary and category groups.

2. Key theorists Sigmund Freud'sGroup Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego, (1922) based on a critique of Le Bon's work, led to further development in theories of group behavior in the latter half of the twentieth century. William Schutz (1958, 1966) looked at interpersonal relations from the perspective of three dimensions: inclusion, control, and affection. This became the basis for a theory of group behavior that see groups as resolving issues in each of these stages in order to be able to develop to the next stage. Conversely, a group may also devolve to an earlier stage if unable to resolve outstanding issues in a particular stage. M. Scott Peck developed stages for larger-scale groups (i.e., communities) which are similar to Tuckman's stages of group development. Peck describes the stages of a community as: Pseudo-community Chaos Emptiness True Community Communities may be distinguished from other types of groups, in Peck's view, by the need for members to eliminate barriers to communication in order to be able to form true community. Examples of common barriers are: expectations and preconceptions; prejudices; ideology, counterproductive norms, theology and solutions; the need to heal, convert, fix or solve and the need to control. A community is born when its members reach a stage of "emptiness" or peace.

3. FOUR STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT Tuckman described the four distinct stages that a group can as it comes together and starts to operate.  This process can be subconscious, although an understanding of the stages can help a group reach effectiveness more quickly and less painfully. Stage 1: Forming Individual behaviour is driven by a desire to be accepted by the others, and avoid controversy or conflict.  Serious issues and feelings are avoided, and people focus on being busy with routines, such as team organisation, who does what, when to meet, etc.  But individuals are also gathering information and impressions - about each other, and about the scope of the task and how to approach it.  This is a comfortable stage to be in, but the avoidance of conflict and threat means that not much actually gets done.

4. Stage 2: Storming Individuals in the group can only remain nice to each other for so long, as important issues start to be addressed.  Some people's patience will break early, and minor confrontations will arise that are quickly dealt with or glossed over.  These may relate to the work of the group itself, or to roles and responsibilities within the group. Some will observe that it's good to be getting into the real issues, whilst others will wish to remain in the comfort and security of stage 1.  Depending on the culture of the organisation and individuals, the conflict will be more or less suppressed, but it'll be there, under the surface. To deal with the conflict, individuals may feel they are winning or losing battles, and will look for structural clarity and rules to prevent the conflict persisting.

5. Stage 3: Norming As Stage 2 evolves, the "rules of engagement" for the group become established, and the scope of the group's tasks or responsibilities are clear and agreed.  Having had their arguments, they now understand each other better, and can appreciate each other's skills and experience.  Individuals listen to each other, appreciate and support each other, and are prepared to change pre-conceived views: they feel they're part of a cohesive, effective group.  However, individuals have had to work hard to attain this stage, and may resist any pressure to change - especially from the outside - for fear that the group will break up, or revert to a storm.

6. Stage 4: Performing Not all groups reach this stage, characterised by a state of interdependence and flexibility. Everyone knows each other well enough to be able to work together, and trusts each other enough to allow independent activity.  Roles and responsibilities change according to need in an almost seamless way.  Group identity, loyalty and morale are all high, and everyone is equally task-orientated and people-orientated.  This high degree of comfort means that all the energy of the group can be directed towards the task(s) in hand.

7. Group dynamics can be understood as complex from an interpersonal relationships point of view because it involves: Relationships between two people Relationships between a person and a group Relationships between groups The use of group dynamic activities has a history of application in conflict resolution, anger management and team building and many other areas such as drug rehabilitation and drama therapy

8. The difference between a group and a collection of individuals is that members of a group have emotional bonds with each other. Emotional bonding requires members to have some significant experiences together. During the formation of a group, before bonds have been fully developed, it can be difficult for a group to get rolling. Certain patterns of "group dynamics" can get in the way and interfere with the development of a healthy, productive and satisfying group. Two of the most difficult dynamics for a newly formed group to manage are power and decision-making. Groups can get so caught up in trying to work out how to decide things that nothing gets done. This is most pronounced in "leaderless" groups. Groups without a formal, designated leader often go through an uncomfortable and potentially destructive time before they work out how they will manage themselves. The events that take place during this time can be so disturbing that the group falls apart. Groups that work through these "birthing pains", however, and become self-managing, can be highly effective and satisfying for their members. GROUP DYNAMICS AND BUILDING SUCCESSFUL GROUPS When groups form, they go through 3 predictable phases before becoming fully self- managing. These phases are called Inclusion, Influence and Intimacy. INCLUSION INFLUENCE INTIMACY .

9. In general, successful, self-managing groups have the following attributes: A) People tell the truth B) Conflicts are expressed, win-win solutions are found. C) People feel valued. Members treat each other as worthy of respect. D) Leadership is shared.. Building successful groups is about getting people to tell the truth, getting conflicts into the open and resolving them, making sure everyone feels personally responsible for the success of the group, and everyone feels valued by the group. If you want to be a group builder, the first step is to do these things yourself. The second step is to encourage others to act this way and to support them when they do. LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE A group composed entirely by men for the purpose of supporting the growth and development of men faces some issues peculiar to itself. Here are some things we have learned from experience. A. Containment and Sacred Space. B) Talking and Doing. C) Moving Past Fear. D) Assigning Responsibility. E) Learning to Appreciate the Irrational and Intuitive

10. GROUP TASK ROLES Positive The initiator The Information seeker The opinion seeker The Information giver The opinion giver The elaborator The summariser or integrator The orienter The energiser The procedural technician

11. Group maintenance roles The encourager The harmonizer The gate-keeper and expediter The standard setter Non- functional group roles The Aggressor The blocker The recognition seeker The self – confessor The playboy/ girl The dominator The help- seeker The special interest pleader

12. Five Stages of Group/Team Development Stage 1 – To be or not to Be: the Forming, Orientation, or Familiarity Stage Stage 2 – Here We Stay or Here We Go: The Storming, Confrontive, or PowerStage Stage 3 – Close to You: The Norming, Constructive, or Resolution Stage 4 – I’ve Gotta be Me: The Performing, Production, or Synergy Stage Stage 5 – It’s Hard to Say Good-Bye: The Adjourning Stage - Elements – Communication, Participation , Decision Making, Dysfunctional Behaviors in Groups ,Helpful Behaviors in Groups

13. Dysfunctional Behaviors in Groups UK Leadership Development Office of Student Activities, Leadership, & Involvement ~ Leadership Development ~ 106 Student Center Cutting off others Attacking people rather than issues Topic jumping Withholding reactions, feelings or information Dominating Attending to side issues -nitpicking Side grouping –side conversations Avoiding responsibility Operating on assumptions – “not checking it out ”

14. Helpful Behaviors in Groups Seek to make each person welcome Ask or comments from those reacting nonverbally Encourage each to listen to others Request that all state their feelings Give positive feedback or support Involve everyone – ask for everyone’s reactions Keep relationships honest and supportive Maintain a sense of freedom and mutual responsibility Listen to those who speak Encourage group members to state their opinions Avoid direct argument with a group member Ask individuals to try something –never insist Use inclusive language (i.e. “we ”) Exhibit “Sharing Behavior ” (offer rides, bring snacks)

15. Exercises The Name Game – Each member of the group must invent some action to go with their name (a graceful bow, somersault etc.). Each person says their name and demonstrates their action, and then says the name and performs the action of the others in the circle. This continues around the circle until each member has "performed" everyone else's name and action. This is a great tool to break the ice and get people to know everyone's name. Name Game II – Each member is asked to give their first and last name and some history or some special thing for them about the name. (e.g. I am named after my great grandmother who immigrated from the moon, or I am named after my dad's first cat, etc.).

16. Dyads Separate the group into pairs, preferably with someone they do not know well and have them find a space together to talk. Each person in the pair will spend X minutes telling his/her partner anything s/he would like the other person to know about home, hobbies, family, things they are good at, goals, Princeton, etc. The partner will simply listen, asking few questions and making a minimum number of comments along the way. Reverse roles. Then have everyone regroup and have each person introduce their partner by saying some of the interesting things they learned about their partner.

17. Lost on the Moon Your spaceship has just crash-landed on the moon. You were scheduled to rendezvous with a mother ship 200 miles away on the lighted surface of the moon, but the rough landing has ruined your ship and destroyed all the equipment on board, except for the 15 items listed below. Your crew’s survival depends on reaching the mother ship, so you must choose the most critical items available for the 200-mile trip. Your task is to rank the 15 items in terms of their importance for survival. Place “1” by the most important item, “2” by the second most important item, and so on through “15,” the least important. Then rank the fifteen items as a team and enter the ranks in the column.

18. Item YourRanking GroupRanking NASA’sRanking Box of matches Food Concentrate 50’ of nylon rope Parachute silk Solar-powered portable heating unit Two .45 caliber pistols One case of dehydrated milk Three 100-pound tanks of oxygen Stellar map (of the moon’s constellation) Self-inflating raft Magnetic compass Five gallons of water Signal Flares First-aid kit injection needles Solar-powered FM Receiver-Transmitter

19. Actual NASA Ranking Item NASA’sRanking Box of matches 15 Food Concentrate 4 50 feet of nylon rope 6 Parachute silk 8 Solar-powered portable heating unit 13 Two .45 caliber pistols 11 One case of dehydrated milk 12 Three 100-pound tanks of oxygen 1 Stellar map (of the moon’s constellation) 3 Self-inflating raft 9 Magnetic compass 14 Five gallons of water 2 Signal Flares 10 First-aid kit injection needles 7 Solar-powered FM Receiver- Transmitter 5

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