DYNAMICS OF GROUP BEHAVIOUR

DYNAMICS OF GROUP BEHAVIOUR

Introduction

        We are delivered to this world individually Right from his birth, an individual becomes a member of a group. Beginning with the mother- child combination and with growth, entering into the family group, peer group community group, social group, religious or ethnic group each individual has a certain degree of identification with, and loyalty to the various group to which he belongs.

        We cannot think of our selves as ever-having lived without a group. Apart from a group, we have no existence we do not live all alone we seek companionship we find delight and fulfillment in group living. We seek support from our brethren.

Definition

        Fielder defined a group “By group we generally, mean a set of individual who share a common fate, that in who are independent in the sense that event which affects one member in likely to affect all”

        M.C. David defines a group. “A social psychological group in an organized system of two or more individuals who are interrelated so that the system performs some function, has a standard set of the role relationship among its members and has a set of norms that regulate the function of the group and each of its members”

Classification of Group

        Some of the classifications of the group are given bellow

1. ‘We’ and ‘They’ Group classification    

        W.G Summer has classified the group into two categories.

 a) In group (we group)

        It is the group with which we identify ourselves

Eg:- A which American boy forms in group with another while American boy.

b) Out group (They group)

        Out group is the group in which the members are considered as outsiders by us.

Eg:- A white American boy forms out group with a black American boy.  

2. Degree of intimacy as the Basis of classification.

        Cooley C.H has made the three fold classification

(i) Primary group: Primary group in which there in an intimate face to face relationship among members and members are having we-feeling to the maximum

Family, play-group, Rural Community come under this category.

Family

        Primary group is relatively small and the members in it have face-to-face contact with each other. There is genuine love and warmth. Family is a universal primary group. There us a great deal of caring and sharing. To a considerable extant an individual’s personality in mounded and shaped by family atmosphere.

Play- Group

        Play – group or the peer-group in another primary group it involves an intimate, face-to-face contact with members of the same age. There is no sex-distinction during infancy and early childhood and they play together

Rural Community

        Rural community is another primary group to reckon with. Unlike the city-flocks whose relationship is mostly impersonal, rural folks display better human relations. Festivals, fests as well as funerals unite them as one group in which caste- barriers are kept aside.

        In general, primary group have a potent influence upon growing children during their formative years when one’s basic personality traits are formed such sentiments like loyalty, fairplay, sympathy, ambition etc, are formed during this period one can find deepest satisfaction such as face –to-face contact

(ii).Secondary Group  

        Secondary group in which relationship among the members are more or lers casual and marked by common interest secondary group satisfy partial and special needs and interests of group members. Here these are sometimes described as special interest groups

Eg:- Trade unions club etc

(iii) Teritiary group

        In teritiary groups there will be minimal contacts among people and they seldom get to beyond mere acquaintance

Eg:- audience in a cinema hall.

3. Organised and spontaneous group

The family, the school etc are the examples of organized group which are formed for specific purpose and careful planning

        Spontaneous group are formed without any careful planning. After listening to a speech audience may form spontaneous group

4. Formal and informal group

        Formal Group

       Formal group are formed on the basis of specific norms, rules and values. Formal group may primarily be classified into 4 categories

1. Command Group

        A command group consists of a supervisor and his or her subordinators. A university president and respective college deans etc all are command group. These commands group are a permanent part of the organization structure.

2. Task Group

        A task group consists of employees who work together to complete a particular task or project, but who do not necessarily report to the same supervisor. For example in many organizations there is a safety and Accident committee

3. Project Group

        A project group consists of individuals from many different areas or backgrounds. The group purpose in to attain its objective with in predetermined time, cost, and quality limits, after which the group in disbanded and everyone goes back to his or her regular department projects group are often used in building space craft, sky scapers, bridges, and ships.

4. Committees

        Committees are group whose majour responsibilities are to examine, analyse and/ or evaluate particular areas of organizational operations.

Informal Groups

        Informal group are those which membership in voluntary, they evolve gradually among employees with common interests

        Informal group may classified into there categories. They are.

1. Friendship Group

        Friendship groups are associations of people who like each other and who like to be together. They are formed because, members have something in common, such as social activates, political belief, religious values, or other bonds of attraction.

2. Interest Group

        Individuals who may not be members of the same command or task group may affiliate to achieve some mutual objective. Employees grouping together to present a unified front of management for more benefits as an example for interest groups.

3. Reference Group

        A reference group in a special type of informal group that people use to evaluate themselves. Reference group serve two important and related functions social validation, which helps us justify and legitimate are attitudes and values, and social comparison, which helps us evaluate what we do by comparing ourselves to others.

Characteristics of Group  

        So far we have examined several kinds of groups. Each group has contained distinctive characteristics. Let us examine all these characteristics shortly

1. Group interaction

        In group individuals interact with one another freely so as to find a solution to a problem. Communication is essential for interaction. One needs to acquire skill in communication. One may use not only language but also symbols, gestures, actions and pauses also.

2. Group structure

        A group has to have a structure otherwise it would be thoroughly disorganized

3. Group Communication

        How do the members communicate in a group. In a formal session, there would be a chairman who would co-ordinate the proceedings we can diagrammatically represents two types or communication structure

 

Star Pattern                                                   Open Pattern

        The “open pattern” represents an informal study group one can communicate with anyone in order to get his work. In the “star pattern” all messages must be sent through a central person. It represents a military organization or any governmental organization. Most groups use a combination of both, depending upon the situation.

4.Group Goals and Norms

Group Goals: Group also has aspirations or expectation regarding future level of performance. Group with strong desire for success perform better than groups with weak desires for success. A practicing manager would, therefore, be interested in finding out the factors that affect desire for success.

Group Norms : Norms are shared ways of looking at the world. Group control their members through the norms. A norm in a rule of conduct that has been established by group members to maintain consistency in behaviour it tells an individual how behaves in a group. Norms are essential if a group is to be a variable unit.

5.Group Role and status Relationship

Group Role: A role is the set of expectations about the behaviour of someone who occupies a particular position within a social unit. Each member of the social unit assumes a position, so there is a role for everyone, it should be clear, however, that the roles relates to the position not a person. A role exists for the position of supervisor, with people in the group having certain expectations about how a supervisor should behave. In a formal group, a role is ally established by management.

        Life is complicated for each of us because in the positions we hold, people do not send us the same signals regarding what we are expected to do. The combination of expectation that are hold for any position is known as a role set. Life is further complicated for each of us because we hold positions in more than one group or social unit. We are subjected to several sets of expectations- not just one. This phenomenon is known us multiple role.

Types of Group Roles

        Group roles can be classified into three categories:

1. Work roles : It refers to task-oriented activities involved in accomplishing  the work and achieving the group objective work roles include such activities as clarifying the purpose of the group developing a strategy for accomplishing the work, delegating job assignment and evaluating process.

2. Maintenance Role : If refers to the social emotional activities of group members that maintain their involvement and personal commitment to the group.

3. Blocking roles : If refer to activities that disrupt or destroy the group. These activities includes such things as eliminating the discussion, attacking other group members, distracting the group by irrelevant issues or unnecessary humour.

Status Relationship

        Status is a social ranking a measure of a person’s prestige with in a group it conveys many privileges to individuals. Those with high status will exert greater influence a group decisions, and they will be listened to and sought out for advice status is a source power, leadership and a major factor in structuring communication networks.

           Status is often classified as either formal or informal. Formal status is the official rank of an indicates, as designated by an organization. The position of vice-president individuals a formal status designation by the organization. Informal status refers to the social position or rank of an individual as a result of the evaluation of others in a group. A group of employees may look for advice and leadership from an individual who has no formal management position but has been accorded informal status by the group.

6.Group Cohesiveness and  Group Think

Group Cohesiveness  

        The term cohesiveness refers to the amount of unit in the group and the degree to which members are pulling in the same direction. The cohesiveness of a group results from the attraction of the group for its members.

        Group cohesiveness is reflected in the attitudes and actions of the members. The following factors are often used as cohesiveness indicators, loyalty to the group, defense of the group, responsibility for group activities, and identification with the group, acceptance of group decisions, conforming to norms and agreement with group goals

        In order to contribute to group activities and conform to group norms, the individual may be required to change personal objectives or methods of satisfying needs. As a result, members frequently develop goals that are consistent with essential group activities.

        Association with the members of the group may be a major factor in group attraction. An individual may join the group to satisfy social needs for belonging and friendship. If the individuals in the group are primarily satisfying social needs, the other goals and activities of the group may be unimportant. The cohesiveness of some groups can be attributed to the desire of group members to be with each other.

        One of the strongest sources of group cohesiveness is shared attitudes and values among group members.

Features of Cohesive Group  

1.   That have relatively few members

2.    Whose members have similar interest and backgrounds

3.   That have a high degree of status within the organization

4.   In which members have ready access to one another so that interpersonal communication is easy to maintain.

5.   That are physically remote or isolated from other group in the organization

6.   In which the leader rewards co-operative behavior.

7.   That are pressured or threatened by some common force.

To know how feelings are transmitted among class members. It affords a basis for organising sub-group which will work harmoniously and productively.

Group Think

        Group think is an extreme form of consensus in which the group thinks as a unit rather than a collection of individuals it is a kind of consensus- seeking process that goes on in a cohesive group. When a group in too cohesive new ideas may be rejected too quickly. Members are imbuced with feelings of “we know best”. There is a tremendous desire for unanimity seeking consensus becomes an end in itself. Free exchange of ideas is inhibited. Some members in a group may be timid or crowded down by dominating members imposing their ideas on others. At other times, the group members try to promote consensus at the possible expense of arriving at a more defective solution. Lack of critical think is at the heart of group think followed by the group’s low-risk, conservative traditional and mediocre decisions Group members cease to think independently.

        When group think begins to develop members of the group start avoiding harsh criticism of the leader and their colleagues. There is a feeling of togetherness among the member, and bickering of conflict, which spoils this cozy feeling, are discouraged. There is also the feeling that those who oppose the aims of the group are totally wrong so it is all right to take actions against them. The group sees its principles as being humanitarian and high- minded and, if it is necessary to use immoral or unethical behaviour to defeat those who oppose these principles that is acceptable behaviours. The greater the cohesiveness of the group the greater the chance of the group thinks will develop.

Group Dynamics

Origin: The phase group Dynamic came into being in 1944 when Curt Lewin set up the Research centre for group dynamics to meet the need of making a scientific approach to the understanding of the dynamics of group.

Definition of group dynamics

        According to Good’s Dictionary of Education “group dynamics

implies an interactive psychological relationship in which members of a group develop a common perception based on feeling and emotion”

        Kretch and crutch field view group dynamics “as changes that place within the group”.

        The focal point of all definitions is inter-relation or ‘interaction’ among the members of the group

Meaning of Group Dynamics

        The term group dynamics consist of two words ie group and dynamics.

        The word dynamics in taken from the Greek word which means force. There group dynamics refers to forces operating with the group. Group dynamics is related to the field theory of Lewin, which assumes man’s behavior to be a function of the field existing at the time of the occurrence of behavior. The concept of field in very dynamic which takes into account the total influence of time, place and circumstances of human organism.

        Thus group dynamics may be conceived of as the study of group processes, their objective analysis and measurement and the effect of group membership on individual members.

        The scientific study of group processes or group dynamics is of great concern to educators since it corrects the earlier overemphasis of educational psychology on the individual learner.

        Behavior is not static Group dynamics means the change of behavior through interaction in the group

Group dynamics in the classroom      

        Group dynamics offers the best means available for the development of three types of skills namely (i) skills essential for democratic living (ii) skills essential for better social understanding, and (iii) skills for preparing the individual members of the group for democratic leadership.

        According to segal, D, group dynamics is the process by which one must consider other individuals in a group, and a problem at the same time, and it not only tends to increase understanding to the problem, but also creates a solution which the individual practices in bringing, about emotional balance.

        A wise teacher can make his classroom teaching easier and effective if he can direct group dynamics into constructive paths. Through group discussion and activity method, the teacher would give the individual student a chance to participate actively and to contribute to group work in the class.

        A teacher is expected to understand the various forces working in the classroom so that he makes use of the force in his teaching.

        The teacher must know how adolescents form group and which is the structure of groups in general. He must understand the pattern of friendship or preferences of the members of the various groups. The teacher must detect ‘stars’, as well as the ‘isolates’ in the group to take appropriate action for adjustment.

        The teacher must ensure that group are not formed on the basis of caste, creed or religion etc.

        If the teacher is well equipped with the basic knowledge of group dynamic, he would be in a better position to improve the emotional and social climate in the class.

        Group dynamics is also influenced by sympathy, suggestion and imitation

        Sympathy enables the member of a group to perceive the psychological state of the other member. He begins to feel as other feel.

        Suggestion plays a big role in the influencing the group behaviors. The suggestions put forward by the leader of group are readily accepted.

        The behaviour of the leader of the group is imitated by the members of the group.

        If would be desirable for a teacher to throw some light on the qualities of leadership so that students choose their leaders wisely and the teacher is able to influence the class through its leaders However it must be stressed, that teacher must remain neutral in the classroom selection of leaders.

Stages of Group Development

        There are four phase in group development. They are.

1. Forming: During this period, group members discover those interpersonal behaviours that are both acceptable and unacceptable to others in the group, During this phase each member relies on the others to provided cues regarding acceptable behaviour. The formatting stage is a period of time during which group members get to know each other.

2. Storming : The second stage in storming During this phase there is often some degree of in tragroup conflict as members attempt to develop a special place for themselves in the group and to influence the development of its norms and roles. At this time, members also try to develop some forms of inter personal relationship with others in the group. In the process cach person tries to make off certain domains of authority or power. This stage in often a period of jockeying for a position.

3. Norming : During this stage the in-fighting is basically over and group cohesion starts to develop. Most group members have now come to accept their fellow members. A unity of purpose has developed and this serves to unite them. At this point the group’s development has basically matured and the members understand how they are to interact with each other.

4. Performing : During this phase, group members agree on the basic roles each in to play. During this stage task specialization and personal needs and desires are brought together. The formal needs of the organization are integrated with the informal needs of the member. The result is that group members are able to make their jobs more interesting and enjoyable.

Leadership in Group

                    A leader is the navigator to cruise the ship (group) and taking the passengers (members) toward the other shore (destination. He is the focal point all the time. Members repose faith in him and the leader lives up to it. He is vested with enormous powers which he ought not to misuse. He is responsible for the maintenance of stability of the group if should be noted that a leader is one among them and his position is preserved by the manner in which he conducts himself.

Type of Leadership

        Depending on the kind of control a leader exercises upon the members, leadership can be broadly categorized in to three types, namely, Democratic, Autocratic and Laissez faire

Autocratic Leadership

        An autocratic leader is authoritarian in his approach. His word is law and he would not brook any opposition. He is tyrannical, dominant and merciless. He is termed a dictator. Historically Hitler and Mussoline are cited as dictator. They dictator the policies. An authoritarian leader is not loved by the people. Eg:- Hitler

Democratic Leadership           

            A democratic leader is sober, steady and sensible, sensitive to the feeling and aspirations of members. He seldom imposes his will upon them and he always believes in discussion in making decisions. He welcomes criticism and changes policies when the majority opposes a move. He believes in arriving at a consensus by persuasive method. People do not rebel against him because he is choosen by them by democratic practice of free election.

Eg:- Gandhiji

Laissez- Faire Leadership

        Laissez-Fair is a French term which means “a general principle of noninterference”. Such a teacher would leave the students on their own, neither advising or praising nor criticizing or admonishing. It is a misnomer to call it leadership at all students tend to remain apathetic under such a leader 

Eg:- Most of the spiritual leader belong to this category

Sociometry Measurement of Social relation

        An Austrian psychologist by name J.L. Moreno invented the technique of sociometry. Sociametry studies classroom dynamics.

Sociometry Definition  

        “Sociometry is the study of those aspects of the socio-emotional climate in the classroom having to do with feelings of attraction, rejection and indifference which pupils express toward each other when faced with situations calling for interaction within the classroom”

        It is a method of discovering and analyzing patterns of friendship within a group setting. It is a study of social relationship in the class room. It is an attempt in structuring communication networks.

Sociogram  

    A sociogram is a diagrammatic representation of the mutual choice, rejection and indifference of the pupils in a classroom towards one another.

    In sociometric language a star is one who has been chosen more often by his classmates for many of the activities. He is the most popular student in class. He is a natural leader. When several arrows converge towards a student, he is demand to be a star. An isolate is one who has been ‘ignored’ by his classmate. A rejeetee is one who creates nuisance in class by frequent fighting and quarrelling. His classmates may avoid him out of fear. He may be bully. One who receives maximum number of negative scores is a rejectee. He is disliked by most of his classmates.