Group Dynamics
Spring 2009
Study Guide for Chapters 1-6 and Readings 3&4
1.
Define "group." Discuss the five characteristics of groups (e.g., amount of interaction).
2.
Discuss McGrath’s task circumplex.
3.
Define "group dynamics."
4.
State the orienting assumptions of group dynamics.
5.
Describe the following observational research techniques: structured observation, participant
observation, survey, archival, and case study. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each
method.
6.
Discuss and interpret a correlation coefficient.
7.
State the major limitation of the observational methods and the correlational method that the
experimental method overcomes.
6.
Define independent and dependent variable. Give an example of each.
7.
Describe the three requirements necessary to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between
two variables. Create an example to help clarify your answer.
8.
Describe the three things an experimenter controls to avoid confounding variables and to
demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
9.
Discuss reliability, internal validity, and external validity.
10.
Discuss the ethical guidelines for research psychologists. State why these guidelines are
important.
11.
Briefly discuss each of the theories of group dynamics (e.g., motivational models). (Note that this
is a LONG answer.)
12.
Discuss why we join groups.
13.
Discuss the effects of social rejection.
14.
Discuss individualism and collectivism.
15.
Discuss social identity theory.
16.
Discuss personal, relational, and collective identities and state how they affect behavior.
17.
Discuss the purpose and procedure of Tziner and Eden’s study (Reading #3).
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18.
Discuss the results and implications of Tziner and Eden’s study (Reading #3).
19.
Discuss the personality and social motivation factors that affect joining groups (e.g., introversion,
need for affiliation).
20.
Discuss attachment styles.
21.
Discuss when people seek others. Be sure to discuss social comparison theory in your answer.
22.
Discuss the factors that affect attraction.
23.
Discuss group cohesion and how it develops over time.
24.
Discuss the positive and negative consequences of cohesion.
25.
Discuss Mullen and Copper’s conclusions concerning the effect of cohesion on group
performance.
26.
Discuss the characteristics of teams and methods of team building.
27.
Discuss norms and roles.
28.
Discuss Moreland and Levine’s Model of Group Socialization.
29.
Discuss status generalization theory.
30.
Discuss status networks, attraction networks, and communication networks.
31.
State the purpose and hypotheses of Driskell and Mullen’s meta-analysis (Reading #4).
32.
Discuss the main results and implications of the Driskell and Mullen meta-analysis (Reading #4).
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