Group and Team dynamics

Question 1

Define the term group

Answer 1

A collection of people who share similar goals and interact with each other

Question 2

According to Tuckman’s model, describe the forming stage of group formation

Answer 2

Forming:
* The group meet for the first time
* Team members get to know each other (R)
* The leader makes all the decisions (L)
* There is no agreement on the team goal/ vision (G)
* Individual roles are unclear (IR)
* Team members are trying to make a good impression (with their behaviour)

Question 3

According to Tuckman’s model, describe the storming stage of group formation

Answer 3

Storming:
* A clear goal becomes established within the team (G)
* The team have difficulty making decisions
* The team members require a strong leader (L)
* Conflict occurs as team members jostle for postions (IR)
* Cliques form within the team (R)
* Lack of team coordination/ team members work in different ways

Question 4

According to Tuckman’s model, describe the norming stage of group formation

Answer 4

Norming:
* Conflict within the team is resolved/ agreement occurs
* Individual roles/ responsibilities are established/ accepted (IR)
* Players display respect for the leader (L)
* Team memebers work together towards a common goal (G)
* Team members display a strong sense of unity/ commitment (R)
* Team members form social bonds

Question 5

According to Tuckman’s model, describe the performing stage of group formation

Answer 5

Performing:
* Clear vision/ goal (G)
* All decisions are goal related (G)
* Little/ no input for the leader required (L)
* Occasional disagreements quickly resolved (R)

Question 6

What is Steiners model of group effectiveness?

Answer 6

Actual productivity is the result of potential productivity minus the losses due to faulty processes

AP = PP - FP

Question 7

What are faulty processes?

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Answer 7

Faulty processes are factors that reduce team cohesion

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Question 8

What are the two faulty processes

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Answer 8

1. Coordination losses
2. Motivation losses

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Question 9

What causes coordination losses?

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Answer 9

• Caused by a breakdown in teamwork
  ~ Poor communication
  ~ Ineffective leadership
• The Ringelmann effect
  ~ Coordintaion losses are more likely to occur in bigger teams
  ~ The more people involved in a team, the more opportunities for breakdowns to occur
  ~ Individuals feel that their effort is insignificant/ doesn’t matter

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Question 10

Define motivation losses, and give an example

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Answer 10

When an individual suffers a loss in motivation and reduces effort, preventing team cohesion

AKA Social loafing

e.g. A hockey player doesn’t try in a game and lets other players make the tackles

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Question 11

Why do motivation losses occur?

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness

Answer 11

• The individual feels that others on the team are not trying
• The individual’s performance isn’t noticed/ appreciated
• Individual roles aren’t clearly identified
• The individual believes that the task is too difficult
• The individual may have low self-confidence
• The individual has a negative previous experiance/ failure

More likely to occur in bigger teams

Steiner’s model of group effectiveness