Group Development & Cohesion

Social Cohesion

Unity based on attraction of members to one another and to the group as a whole.

Task Cohesion

Unity based on commitment to working together as a coordinated unit in pursuit of group goals.

Collective Cohesion

Unity based on consensual identification with the group; unity based on shared identity and belonging.

Emotional Cohesion

Unity based on the emotional intensity of the group and individuals when in the group. Behavioral coordination includes mimicry and behavioral synchrony.

Structure (norming) stage

Unity increases, membership stabilizes, members report increased satisfaction, and the group's internal dynamics intensify.

Structural Cohesion

Unity/integrity based on structural features (norms, roles, open/closed, and inter-member relations).

Consequences of Cohesion

Cohesion is associated with increased member satisfaction, decreased turnover/stress, intensified group processes (conforming, group think), and higher performance than less cohesive groups (if group norms encourage high productivity).

How can leaders influence group development?

Cohesion is the consequence of a period/pattern of group development and most is consistent with Tuckman's model. Leaders can use this as a guide (not absolute) for expectations from the group and in order to fix events that will prompt the next stage.

Explain the impact of group norms as a moderator of the relationship between cohesion and organizational (team) performance:

Cohesive groups outperform less cohesive groups. This relationship is strongest when members are committed to group tasks. If group norms don't encourage high productivity, then cohesiveness and productivity are negatively related.

Define group cohesion

Integrity, solidarity, and unity of the group; indicator of group health. Equifinality theorizes that cohesion can result from many sources.

Orientation (forming) stage

Members experience tentative interactions, tension, concern over ambiguity, growing interdependence, and attempts to identify the nature of the situation.

Conflict (storming) stage

Members express dissatisfaction with the group, respond emotionally, criticize one another, and form coalitions.

Dissolution (adjourning) stage

The group disbands. A group's entry into the dissolution stage can be either planned or spontaneous, but even planned dissolution can create problems for members as they work to reduce their dependence on the group.

Performance (performing) stage

The group's focus shifts to the performance of tasks and goal attainment. Not all groups reach this stage, for even highly cohesive groups are nor necessarily productive.

5 Stages of Group Development (Tuckman Model)

Orientation/forming, conflict/storming, structure/norming, performance/performing, and dissolution/adjourning.

Hazing

Severe initiation that exposes new members to significant psychological/physical risk, sustained by group level processes (bonding, dominance, commitment, tradition); the use is unjustified, illegal, and ineffective as a means of increasing cohesion.

5 Sources of Group Cohesion

Social cohesion, task cohesion, collective cohesion, emotional cohesion, and structural cohesion.

Relate sources of group cohesion to organizational (team) performance:

Social, task, collective, emotional, and structural components in regards to team's resources/settings (rewards, communication, org. structure/leadership, and physical space).