Team Dynamics and Cohesion CHAPTER 9

Collective sense of identity

"we-ness" rather than "I-ness"

What is teamwork?

A dynamic process involving a collaborative effort by team members to effectively carry out the independent and interdependent behaviors that are required to maximize a team's likelihood of achieving its purposes.

What is a group?

A group is two or more people who interact and exert mutual influence on each other and share the following characteristics: A collective sense of identity Distinctive roles Structured modes of communication Group norms

Group norms

A norm is a level of performance, pattern of behavior, or belief. Leaders need to establish positive group norms or standards (especially standards or norms of productivity). Positive norms are important to establish.

Steiner's model

Actual productivity = potential productivity − losses due to faulty group processes. Losses result from motivation and coordination.

Cyclical (Life Cycle) Perspective

Development of groups is similar to the life cycle—birth, growth, and death. Emphasis is on the terminal phase of the group's existence. As the group develops, it psychologically prepares for its own breakup. This model is especially relevant for groups and teams that last 10 to 15 weeks.

How to eliminate social loafing

Emphasize the importance of individual pride and unique contributions. Increase identifiability of individual performances. Determine specific situations in which social loafing occurs. Conduct individual meetings to discuss social loafing. Appreciate each teammate's responsibilities by assigning players to other positions. Divide the team into smaller units. Attribute failure to internal unstable factors.

Settings with cohesion

Exercise settings Classes with feelings of high group cohesion have fewer dropouts and late arrivals than do classes low in cohesion. Sport settings Teams with feelings of high group cohesion have fewer dropouts and late arrivals than do classes low in cohesion.

Difference between groups and teams?

For both groups and teams, members may be attracted to each other and have some common goals. A sport team is a special type of group. Teams have four key characteristics beyond mutual interaction and task interdependence.

linear perspective

Forming: Familiarization, formation of interpersonal relationships, development of team structure Storming: Rebellion, resistance to the leader and to control by the group, interpersonal conflict Norming: Development of solidarity and cooperation; group conflicts resolved Performing: Channeling of energies for team success

organizational sports psychology

Leadership Organizational resilience Organizational stress Optimal organizational environments

Theories of Group Development

Linear perspective Cyclical (life cycle) perspective Pendular perspective

What are the seven types of social support?

Listening support Emotional support Emotional-challenge support Reality-confirmation support Task-appreciation support Task-challenge support Personal-assistance support

peer relationships

Peer relations or relationships with teammates usually stand out as particularly important and meaningful for athletes. Generate cooperative goals in the sport setting. Encourage young athletes to engage in their own problem solving rather than expect adults to solve problems for them. Enable athletes to engage in shared decision making. Design sport settings for small-group activities and maximum participation. Select peer leaders on criteria other than athletic ability (e.g., leadership skills). Schedule team-building activities into practice and outside of practice.

how to create an effective team climate

Proximity: Closer contact between members promotes team interaction. Distinctiveness: The more distinctive the group feels, the better the climate. Fairness—or a lack of it—can bring a group closer together. Greater similarity = closer climate. Task interdependence: Outcome interdependence refers to the fact that all group members benefit (or suffer) from the group's performance.

Implications of Steiner's model

Role of the coach Increase relevant resources (through training, instruction, and recruiting). Reduce process losses (through enhancing cohesion and emphasizing individual contributions to the team).

Components of teamwork

Team maintenance Psychological support Integrative conflict Regulation of team performance Preparation Execution Evaluation Adjustments

Factors associated with cohesion

Team satisfaction: Increased cohesion is related to increased satisfaction. Conformity: The more cohesive a group is, the greater its pressure to conform to the attitudes and behaviors of the group. Injury: When athletes become injured, it is likely to influence the group interaction processes between these injured athletes and the rest of the team.

Tasks cohesion

The degree to which group members work together to achieve common goals and objectives

Social cohesion

The interpersonal attractions among group members

Kohler Effect: Motivational Gains, Not Losses

When the goal is to maximize motivation and effort during training/exercise, individuals should select and train with a partner who is moderately more capable than themselves. One should create task conditions that maximize interdependence between group members to achieve group goals, and, in particular, one's indispensability to group process (e.g., a relay race with other group members who are superior in ability or prior performance).

Distinctive roles

all members know their job

formal roles

dictated by the nature and structure of the organization (coach, captain, etc)

informal roles

evolve from the group's dynamics or interactions among group members (e.g., enforcer, mediator)

role conflict

exists when the role occupant does not have sufficient ability, motivation, time, or understanding to achieve the goal.

adherance

faithful attachment; devotion More cohesive exercise classes have better attendance, are more likely to arrive on time, are less likely to drop out, are more resistant to disruption, are more likely to experience positive affect related to exercise, and have stronger efficacy for exercise. This positive relationship between cohesion and adherence appears to remain constant regardless of the leader-to-participant ratio.

group roles

involve behaviors required or expected of a person occupying a certain position

Social support

is an exchange of resources between at least two people perceived by the provider and the recipient as intended to enhance the well-being of the recipient. Provides appraisal, information, reassurance, and companionship Reduces uncertainty during times of stress Aids in mental and physical recovery Improves communication

Structured modes of communication

lines of communication

Norms

shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations

Pendular Perspective

shifts occur in interpersonal relationships during the growth and development of groups Groups do not progress through stages in a linear fashion. Five stages of group development: -Orientation -Differentiation and conflict -Resolution and cohesion -Differentiation and conflict -Termination

group cohesion

the "interpersonal glue" that makes members of a group stick together An important factor influencing participation, motivation, and performance in sport and exercise settings

Ringelmann effect

the phenomenon by which individual performance decreases as the number of people in the group increases.

social loafing

when individuals within a group or team put forth less than 100% effort due to loss of motivation.