APPLIED GROUP DYNAMICS PS38B

1. APPLIED GROUP DYNAMICSPS38B Lecturer : Sophia Morgan E-mail � sophia.morgan@uwimona.edu.jm Department of Sociology, Psychology & Social Work

2. NORMS IN GROUPS �Though we like to think we are �individualists� � marching to the tune of our own drum � we are, for the most part, conformists.� Napier & Gershenfeld

3. LECTURE OVERVIEW DEFINING NORMS Features of norms at the individual level and at the group level How norms develop The importance of norms within groups Different kinds of norms Forces that induce acceptance to group norms How norms are perpetuated in groups The impact of norms on individuals within groups Changing group norms

4. SOME USEFUL REFERENCES Napier, R & Gershenfeld, M. (1999) Groups: Theory and Experience; Houghton Mifflin Co. Johnson, D & Johnson, P. (1997) Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills; Allyn and Bacon. Robbins, S. (1990) Organisational Behaviour Wheelan, S (1994) Group Processes: A developmental Perspective; Allyn and Bacon Knowles, M & H, (1972) Introduction to Group Dynamics, Follett Publishing Company. Moorhead and Griffin (1989) Organisational Behaviour, Houghton Mifflin Company.

5. DEFINING NORMS i. Napier and Gershenfeld (1999) �Unspoken rules and standards that guide a group and define acceptable and unacceptable behaviour by the group�s members� ii. Robins (1996) �Acceptable standards of behaviour within a group that are shared by the group�s members.�

6. DEFINING NORMS iii. Moorhead and Griffin (1978) �A standard against which the appropriateness of a behaviour is judged� iv. Johnson and Johnson (1997) �A groups common beliefs regarding appropriate behaviour, attitudes and perceptions for the members��

7. FEATURES OF NORMS AT THE GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL LEVELS INDIVIDUAL LEVEL: Shared Ideas - This is about a shared understanding among group members about behaviours that are permissible and/or unacceptable with respect to each individual within the group. Role expectation � Each individual is �assigned� a role or roles based on the shared perceptions of him/her by group members.

8. FEATURES OF NORMS AT THE GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL LEVELS GROUP LEVEL Normative systems � involve the shared beliefs and standards about behaviours within a group, the shared understanding of how behaviours should be regulated and about the appropriate sanctions for breach of behaviour codes. Cultural relativism � refers to the invisibility of group norms.

9. HOW NORMS DEVELOP The sociologist view � inherent in social contacts are rules of behaviour which individuals are expected to acknowledge and accept in order to �fit in�. Behavioural interpretation � Advanced by the Learning Theorists, this view asserts that group norms are shaped as people adjust their behaviours based on cues from other members signaling which behaviours will be reinforced and which will attract punishment. Communication theory � Within all communication are a set of basic principles. These principles highlight the fact that a key aspect of communication is about establishing norms between communicating individuals.

10. HOW NORMS DEVELOP ALSO: Members past experiences -Feldman 1984; Bettenhausen & Murnighan 1985. Group interactions � norms cannot be imposed on a group Subliminal conditioning � a process of learning acceptable behaviours in a group by way of identifying the criteria for �punishments� and �rewards�.

11. HOW NORMS DEVELOP ALSO cont�d Explicit statement (s) made by a group member. Critical events in a group�s history. Primacy � The first behaviour pattern that emerges in a group may set the group�s expectation for similar behaviours.

12. HOW IMPORTANT ARE NORMS WITHIN GROUPS? Norms are important if: They facilitate the group�s survival They increase the predictability of group member�s behaviours They reduce embarrassing interpersonal problems for group members

13. HOW IMPORTANT ARE NORMS WITHIN GROUPS? Norms are important if: They allow members to express the central values of the group and clarify what is distinctive about the group�s identity They serve to facilitate the achievement of group goals

14. KINDS OF NORMS Written rules � Some norms are codified. They are printed as policies, laws or rules to be adhered to. Explicit statements � These are not codified but bear similar weighting. Non-explicit, informal norms � Silent norms that influence members� behaviours � forcing them to conform. Norms beyond our awareness � Some norms are unconscious to group members.

15. FORCES THAT INDUCE ACCEPTANCE OF GROUP NORMS a. Internal forces � based on intrapersonal conflict (Re-familiarize yourselves with the Sherif�s [1961] Experiment & Asch [1951] Experiment) b. External forces � attempts by others to influence the person directly.

16. THE PERPETUATION OF NORMS Conformity, Compliance, Obedience Conformity � adjusting ones behaviour to align with the norms of the group in situations where there are no overt pressure to do so. There is an implicit assumption that behaviour similar to that of the groups� will elicit approval and those opposite will bring censure.

17. THE PERPETUATION OF NORMS Compliance � the act of adjusting one�s behaviour to align with the norms of the group based on overt pressure or a direct request. Obedience � submission to authority in order to avoid negative sanctions.

18. THE IMPACT OF NORMS ON INDIVIDUALS WITHIN GROUPS Individuals seek convergence between norms and their own values High convergence of individual and group norms facilitates conformity and reduces anxiety of new members Low convergence leads to questioning, deviance, withdrawal or change.

19. Why do Accept Group Norms Continued Membership is Desired Low status is perceived Salience of membership is heightened The Group is cohesive Sanctions are expected

20. THE IMPACT OF NORMS ON INDIVIDUALS WITHIN GROUPS Collusive Behaviour � Maintaining the Status Quo of Norms Collusion is about �cooperating with others consciously or pre-consciously to reinforce prevailing attitudes and values, behaviours or norms� Butler (1987) Conscious Collusion � Every one knows what is going on Pre-conscious Collusion � Persons are not fully aware of their feeling

21. THE IMPACT OF NORMS ON INDIVIDUALS WITHIN GROUPS Messages from Childhood Leading to Collusive Behaviours Message Alternative Internalizations Possible Collusive Behaviours Be nice I should mask negative feelings Saying �yes� when you mean no It�s not nice I must manipulate people to get Acting Passive- to fight what I want Aggressively I must avoid disagreeable Making Superficial situations agreements

22. Deviance From Norms Deviance � an act that violates a shared idea about what should or should not be done within a group. Napier & Gershenfeld pg. 146 Group may have to redefine its� boundaries when dealing with deviant behaviors

23. CHANGING GROUP NORMS Influence on the group from external environment � changes in the environment in which the group operates can affect changes in the group. Influence from high-status members � with their �idiosyncratic credit� members can instigate changes in the system

24. CHANGING GROUP NORMS The group may diagnose it norms and modify them. - If the group is able to recognize that important changes are necessary for enhanced productivity, or simply to solve problems, then they may work among themselves to identify where and what changes are necessary. Intervention from trained internal consultants. If the group finds that it is unable to make progress on its own, it may invite the services of trained internal or external consultants who should help to identify the issues from an objective perspective and with a trained eye.

25. What theories/set of theories are useful in enhancing and deepening our understanding and appreciation of norms as an important aspect of our social intercourses?

26. Social Influence Theories Learning Theories Theories of Persuasion Cognitive Dissonance Theory Theories of Normative Influence

27. END OF PRESENTATION