UNDERSTANDING GROUP BEHAVIOR:Stages of Group Development, Advantages of Group Decision Making

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Human Resource Development (HRM-627)

Lesson 16

UNDERSTANDING GROUP BEHAVIOR

The behavior of a group is not merely the sum total of the behaviors of all the individuals in a group. Why?

Because individuals act differently in groups than they do when they are alone. Therefore, if we want to

understand organizational behavior more fully, we need to study groups.

WHAT IS A GROUP?

A group is defined as two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve

particular goals. Formal groups are work groups established by the organization that have designated work

assignments and specific tasks. In formal groups, appropriate behaviors are established by and directed toward

organizational goals.

In contrast, informal groups are social. These groups occur naturally in the workplace in response to the need

for social contact. Informal groups tend to form around friendships and common interests.

Stages of Group Development

Group development is a dynamic process and following is a brief description of its five stages:

Forming: The first stage of group development in which people join the group and then define the group's

purpose, structure, and leadership.

Storming: The second stage of group development, which is characterized by intragroup conflict.

Norming: The third stage of group development, which is characterized by close relationships and

cohesiveness.

Performing:

The fourth stage of group development in which the group is fully functional and performs.

Adjourning: The final stage for group development for temporary groups during which group members are

concerned with wrapping up activities rather than task performance.

Basic Group Concepts

Role: A role is a set of behavior patterns expected of someone occupying a given position in a social unit.

Norm: Norm is an acceptable standard or expectation shared by group members.

Status: Status means a prestige grading, position, or rank within a group.

Group Size: Does the group size affect the group's overall behavior? The answer is a definite yes, but the

affect depends on the outcomes on which one is focusing. For instance, small groups are faster at completing

tasks than the large groups. However, if the group is engaged in problem solving, larger groups consistently get

better results.

A Free Rider Tendency: A group phenomenon in which members reduce their individual efforts and

contribution as the group size increases.

Group Cohesiveness: The degree to which group members are attracted to one and another and share the

group goals.

Conflict: Perceived incompatible differences that result in interference or opposition.

Conflicts are of the following types:

1. traditional conflicts

2. human relations conflict

Human Resource Development (HRM-627)

interactionist view of conflict

functional conflicts

dysfunctional conflicts

task conflicts

relationship conflict

process conflict

Advantages of Group Decision Making

1. provide more complete information

2. generate more alternatives

3. increase acceptance of a solution

4. increased legitimacy

Disadvantage of Group Decision Making

1. they are time consuming

2. minority domination

3. pressure to conform

4. ambiguous responsibility

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