Foundations Of Group Behavior Flashcards
Group
Two or more individuals interacting and interdepemdent who have come together to achieve particular objectives
Formal group
Defined by the organization’s structure with designated work assignments and established tasks
Informal group
Neither formally structured nor organizationally determined
Social identity theory
Our tendency to personally invest in the accomplishments of a group
Schadenfreude
The joy fans experience when a hated team loses
Relational Identification
When we connect with others because of our roles
Collective identification
When we connect with the aggregate characteristics of our groups
Ingroup favoritism
When we see members of our group as better than other people and people not in our group as the same
Outgroup favoritism
Sometimes everyone else but usually an identified group known by the ingroup’s members
Social identity threat
Individuals believe they will be personally negatively evaluated due to their association with a devalued group and they may lose confidence and performance effectiveness
Punctuated equilibrium model
Temporary groups with finite deadlines pass theough a unique sequenceing of action or inaction in 6 steps
The six steps of the punctuated equilibrium model
- The first meeting sets direction
- First phase is one of inertia (slow progress)
- A tranaition takes place at he half way point
- The transition initiates major changes
- A second phase of intertia follows the transition
- The last meeting is characterized by markedly accelerated activity
Defining group properties
- Roles
- Norms
- Status
- Size
- Cohesiveness
- Diversity
Paychological contract
An unwritten agreement that exists between employees and employers
Role Conflict
When compliance with one role requirement may make it difficult to comply with another
Interrole Conflict
When the expectations of our different spearate groups are in conflict
Norms
Acceptable standards of behavior shared by members that express what they should and shouldn’t do under certain circumstances
Conformity
When individual members change their attitudes and behaviors to match the group standard
Reference groups
Where a person is aware of other members, defines themself as a member or would like to be a member, and feels group members are significant.
Deviant Workplace Behavior
Counterproductive work behavior. Voluntary behavior that violates significant organizational norms and in so doing threatens the well being of the organization or its members
Status
A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others
Status Characteristics theory
Status tends to derive from one of 3 sources
- The power a person wields over others
- A person’s ability to contribute to a groups goals
- An individual’s personal characteristics
Social Loafing
The tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collecythan when alone
Cohesiveness
The degree to which members are attracted to each other and motivated to stay in the group
