L5 - Group Dynamics + Team Cohesion Flashcards
(25 cards)
What distinguishes a team from a group?
Teams have shared identity, roles, communication modes, norms, and task interdependence
What is Carron’s (1982) conceptual model of cohesion?
A model defining cohesion as the tendency of a group to stick together, with 2 types (task & social) and 2 levels (group integration & individual attraction).
What is task cohesion?
Degree to which group members work together to achieve common goals
What is social cohesion?
Extent to which group members like and enjoy each other’s company
What are key characteristics of cohesion?
Multidimensional, dynamic, instrumental
What does Steiner’s (1972) model propose? (Actual productivity)
Actual productivity = potential productivity - process losses
What are the two types of group process losses?
Motivational losses and coordination losses
What is the Ringelmann effect?
Productivity decreases as group size increases
What are causes of social loafing?
Free rider effect, minimising strategy, allocation strategy, lack of recognition
How can social loafing be counteracted?
Emphasise individual contributions and increase accountability (Carron, 1988)
What is the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ)?
Measures individual vs group and task vs social cohesion
What are the four GEQ dimensions?
ATG-T, ATG-S, GI-T, GI-S
How does team size affect cohesion and performance?
Social cohesion highest at 6; performance best at 6, worst at 9 (Widmeyer et al., 1990a)
How is role clarity related to cohesion?
Positively linked with task cohesion; strong relationship with role acceptance and performance (Brawley et al., 1987)
What effect does team stability have on performance?
Low turnover teams more effective; mixed results from football studies
What did Carron et al. (2002) find in their meta-analysis on cohesion and performance
Moderate to large relationship between cohesion and performance (ES = 0.66)
What are ways to enhance cohesion?
Team distinctiveness, social cohesiveness, clarifying goals, improving communication
What did Senécal et al. (2008) find? Goal setting among basketball players
Team goal setting improved cohesion among high school basketball players
What is the ‘new psychology’ of sport and health?
Focuses on social identity and shared values driving cohesion and performance
What is the concept behind #StrangersCantTeam?
High-performing teams require strong social connections and shared identity
What is PDMS?
Intervention where athletes share personal stories to increase cohesion and understanding
What was the impact of PDMS in professional soccer?
No quantitative GEQ change but players reported better closeness, understanding, and cohesion
What kind of leadership enhances cohesion?
Accepted leadership with shared group identity, not based on power/status
What did the RAF study find about togetherness?
Positive group identity related to higher resilience
