Teach English in Jiudian Zhen - Ankang Shi

Group Dynamics A group is made up of two or more people, often with a common goal and shared characteristics. All groups have an identity, and the members identify themselves as part of the group. There is interaction among the members of a team, with communication taking center-stage in any group. Groups have a common objective, which creates the bond within a group. There are two main types of groups: Formal Groups: They are well defined with clear goals and roles for each member. They are usually formed in organizations to achieve specific objectives. They can further be classified into: Command groups consist of a supervisor and their subordinates. There is a clear chain of command and well-defined roles. An example is a chairman of a school faculty and the faculty members. Task groups are also known as a task force. They are formed to perform a specific task within a specified time frame. They are disbanded after they achieve their purpose. Functional groups formed to attain a specified goal but without a specified time frame. They remain intact after attainment of the determined goal. Informal Groups: They form naturally, often from formal groups, and do not have specified goals and roles. They are mainly for socializing among members who share common interests. They can take the form of: Interest groups have a longer shelf life and are meant to achieve a specific goal. A good example is a study group in class. Friendship groups formed among friends who share a common social interest like religion, sports or health, and fitness. Members engage in friendship activities during their leisure time. Reference groups usually form for comparison purposes. They act as a yardstick for group members, where they gauge themselves by the standards of the reference group. They significantly influence the behaviour of group members. Groups undergo various stages throughout their lifetime. Different behavior by group members characterizes each stage. The five stages in the life of a group are: Forming. This is the first stage in the life of a group, where members come together and acknowledge their shared interests. Members at this stage are highly interactive or will show apathy, depending on their characters (Chand, 2018). Storming. Where roles are specified, positions debated and the group starts to take on its shape. There is a more profound understanding among members, with conflicts and power struggles emerging as member’s jostle to establish a pecking order within the group. Norming. Members settle down to establish group norms in performing group tasks. Group hierarchy is clear, with members taking up more responsibilities for the group and a group identity emerges. Performing. The group has come fully into its own. Members carry out their specific duties, and there is more pressure to achieve the set objectives. Goals may be redefined to accommodate new ideas that would accelerate the attainment of set objectives. Adjourning. Winding up of the group after achieving its set objectives. An evaluation may be carried out to assess the performance of the team. The structure of a group ensures it stays intact and achieves its objectives. It provides a platform on which to cultivate healthy relationships within the group. A proper group structure consists of: Group Size. An ideal size would be between 2-12 members. The more the members, the less cohesive the group becomes. Group Roles. The more specific the roles, the more effective members will be in carrying them out. Ambiguity is discouraged as it breeds conflict and negative energy among members. Group Norms. Are acceptable standards within a group that enables members to carry out their roles. They should be observed by all members to avoid tension and encourage cohesiveness. Group Cohesiveness. A strong bond among members, evokes the desire to remain part of the group. Smaller groups that communicate constantly tend to be more cohesive. A cohesive group makes decisions faster and works efficiently towards attaining their objectives. Reference Chand, Smriti. (2018). Group Dynamics: its characteristics, stages, types and other details. Retrieved from: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/management/group-dynamics-its-characteristics-stages-types-and-other-details-management/5363