Groups
Group: “Two or more freely interacting
individuals who share collective norms and
goals and have a common identity.”
Four Sociological Criteria of a Group:
Two or more freely interacting individuals
Collective norms
Collective goals
Common identity
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© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998
Tuckman’s Five-Stage Theory
of Group Development
Forming: “Ice breaking” stage; low trust; holding back;
need for leadership (Orientation)
Storming: Power structure is tested; subgroups form
(Redefinition)
Norming: Questions about power and authority
resolved (Coordination)
Performing: Attention devoted to solving task problems
(Formalization)
Adjourning: Work is done; return to independence; a
sense of loss (Termination)
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© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998
Exercise
Functional Roles Performed
by Group Members
Task Roles
Initiator
Information seeker/giver
Opinion seeker/giver
Elaborator
Coordinator
Orienter
Evaluator
Energizer
Procedural technician
Recorder
Irwin/McGraw-Hill
Description
Suggests new goals or ideas
Clarifies key issues
Clarifies pertinent values
Promotes greater understanding
Pulls together ideas and suggestions
Keeps group headed toward its stated
goal(s)
Tests group’s accomplishments
Prods group to move along or to
accomplish more
Performs routine duties
Performs a “group memory” function
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998
Functional Roles Performed
by Group Members
(Continued)
Maintenance Roles Description
Encourager
Harmonizer
Compromiser
Gatekeeper
Standard setter
Commentator
Follower
Irwin/McGraw-Hill
Fosters group solidarity
Mediates conflict through
reconciliation or humor
Helps resolve conflict by meeting
others “half way”
Encourages all group members to
participate
Evaluates the quality of group
processes
Records comments on group
processes/dynamics
Serves as a passive audience
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998
Dysfunctional Roles Performed
by Group Members
Individual Roles
Avoider
Blocker
Clown
to
Dominator
interrupts
Recognition seeker
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Description
Remains apart from others; resists
passively
Resists stubbornly; negative;
returns to rejected issues
Continuously jokes and attempts
distract group from purpose
Manipulates group;
others; gains attention
Calls attention to self by boasting,
bragging, acting superior
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998
Work Group Size
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Group interaction
Group cohesiveness
Job satisfaction
Absenteeism
Turnover
Social loafing
Productivity
Group Norms
Norms are shared attitudes,
opinions, feelings, or actions that
guide social behavior
Development of Group Norms
• Explicit statements by supervisors or coworkers
• Critical events in the group’s history
• Primacy
• Carryover behaviors from past situations
Symptoms of Groupthink
Invulnerability
Inherent morality
Rationalization
Stereotyped views of opposition
Self-censorship
Illusion of unanimity
Peer pressure
Mindguards
Irwin/McGraw-Hill
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998
Preventing Groupthink
Every group member a critical evaluator
Avoid rubber-stamp decisions
Different groups explore same problems
Rely on subgroup debates and outside
experts
Assign role of devil’s advocate
Rethink a consensus
Irwin/McGraw-Hill
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998