Psych 5-Mod1-Lesson1: The Meaning of Group Dynamics Group Three or more persons who are interacting with one

another in order to attain a common objective. A network of people who have intentionally invested part of their decision making power in the authority of a larger social unit in pursuit of mutually desired bur separately unobtainable goals.

Dynamics Energy operating in any field. Refers to forces active in any direction whose sums reinforce or negate each other.

Group Dynamics Field of inquiry dedicated to advancing knowledge about the nature of groups, the interactions of individuals within the group, with other groups and larger institutions. Study of the forces exerted by the group on the individual or by the individual on the group. Dedicated to the potential applicability of research findings in efforts to improve the functioning of groups and their consequences on individuals and society. Focuses attention on questions about the dynamics of group life and seeks to discover general principles concerning what conditions produce what effects. How is this possible when people change? There is no evidence of any alterations of fundamental human nature. Generally, with a certain stimulus, peoples reactions were as predictable in the days of Moses as they are now. People do change but this change should be in the direction of GROWTH and GREATER EFFECTIVENESS. 2 other meanings of Group Dynamics that do not concern this course: a. Political Ideology. This concerns the ways in which groups should be organized and managed. b. A set of techniques. These techniques are used during training programs designed to improve skills in human relations and in the management of conferences and committees.

Psych5-Mod1-Lesson2: The Origins of Group Dynamics Group Dynamics Began in mid 1930s as a field of inquiry in the US. Associated primarily with Kurt Lewin.

Kurt Lewin Popularized the term group dynamics In 1945, he established the first organization devoted explicitly to research on the dynamics of group life.

3 conditions that gave rise to group dynamics: a. Supportive Society b. Developed Professions *Social Group Work one of the earliest to to recognize explicitly that groups can be managed so as to bring about desired changes in members. *Group Psychotherapy an example is the Alcoholics Anonymous. The psycho analytic theory, the major , though not exclusive influence in the development of a professional approach to psychotherapy was established by Moreno. Morenos techniques of role playing and sociometry were among the earliest contributions to the field and have been of great value both in group psychotherapy and in research on group dynamics. *Education group dynamics drew upon the teachers experience in formulating hypothesis for research and group dynamicists established close working relations with educators and schools of education. *Administration management principles and practices designed for coordinating the behaviour of people and dealing with groups. With Mayo Research in 1933 came the recognition of the importance of interpersonal relations among workers and between workers and management.

The four professions helped to create a favourable atmosphere for research in group dynamics. They a broad systematic conception of group functioning from their accumulated experience and afforded facilities in which research can be conducted. c. Developed Social Science the reality of social phenomena was brought as part of the early progress in social science. It was then that man, his behaviour, and his social relations can be properly subjected to scientific investigation. 3 Mythological Gains that contributed to group dynamics: a. Experiments on individual behavior in groups. The effects of social variables upon the behaviour of individuals were investigated. Comparisons were made on behaviour elicited when the subject is working alone and when working with others. b. Controlled observation of cosial interaction. A refined method of observation to yield objective and quantitative data was attempted around 1930. Efforts were exerted to construct categories of observation that would permit an observer simply to indicate the

presence or absence of a particular kind of behavior or interaction during the period of observation. c. Sociometric Method. Moreno constructed a simple questionnaire on which each person was to indicate those those other people with whom he would prefer to share some activity. Psych5-Mod1-Lesson3: The Importance of Group Dynamics 5 Principal Reasons for studying Group Dynamics 1. A study in group dynamics will increase self-knowledge which is the basis for comfortable group living. We must first understand ourselves before we can understand others. 2. It improves ones ability to anticipate actions and reactions of others. A person who knows with reasonable certainty how others will react to a given stimulus can plan his actions advantageously. This can be illustrated in labor relations in business and industry. 3. It helps develop smoother interpersonal relationship. Interpersonal relationships improve when one knows himself better and his neighbors well enough to be able to predict how they will behave. If we wish to elicit cooperation and goodwill from others, we should be willing to make necessary alterations in ourselves. 4. To increase the satisfaction of the self-actualization need. The characteristics of a selfactualized individual are mostly products of happy and successful group interactions. Group dynamics lends itself to both a conscious realization of this basic need and a methodology for helping a person to satisfy it. 5. To increase the pleasures and rewards of family living. Difficulties and problems in our family of orientation will continue in our family of procreation unless we are aware of the dynamics of group life. If one is sensitive to the forces active in the group where he has membership, he gains a lot to make life happy, meaningful and fruitful.

Psych5-Mod2-Lesson1: The Nature of the Small Group Group Syntality and Synergy Syntality Personality of the group, the effect that the group has as a totality. The effect may be in relation to another group or to the environment in which the group exists.

Synergy Total amount of energy that is available to the group. Removes some of the time pressures under which we operate to achieve goals that could hardly or never be reached by unilateral activity. Allows us to expand and set more ambitious goals.

A knowledge of the groups synergy and syntality enables us to predict the groups future performance. Group Size A small group is compose of atleast three members (8 or fewer member). 25 or more members form a big group. Big Group there is increased physical distance. There is a need for physical proximity in order for every member of the group to hear each members comments/questions. Everybody could be heard within the given time for the group to complete the deliberations intended for the group to attain. Each one gets the feeling of satisfaction especially when the pros and cons of his/her ideas are entertained by the group. Interaction rate decreases as group size increases. Psych5-Mod2-Lesson2: Group Goals Goal Something aimed at or an object or end striven for. Group Goal An end state desired by the majority of group members. Group goals represent the group members shared perception of what their joint actions should accomplish. They bind members to work together for desired outcomes.

Types of Groups According to General Group Goals 1. Instrumental Groups. Individuals join for the satisfaction of their needs. Business associations, learning groups, therapeutic groups, etc.

2. Mutual Acceptance Groups. With give and take motives. Friendship relations characterize these groups. Barkada, and convenience groups. 3. Vectorial Groups. With the objective of serving others rather than oneself. Rotary Club, Lions Club, and other humanitarian groups Formation of Group Goals 2 Aspects in the Process of Group Goal Formation 1. The way in which the individuals develop goals for a group 2. Conversion of these goals into group goals. The manner individuals develop group goals depends on the following: 1. The nature of the members motives. A motive is a disposition to be satisfied by a certain outcome. 2. Relationships between the group and its social environment. The groups goals must be acceptable to those around them. 3. Existing long-range goals of the group. Established and formalized groups have long range goals which determine in some way the members goal for those groups. The ordering of group goals require that the various goals held by the different members will be converted into common goals capable of steering group action. Communality of goal or goals is one of the distinctive features of a small group. Otherwise, they remain mere collection of individuals. The conversion of goals held by the members into group goals maybe done through: a. Normative Approaches One Point of view taken here is that group goals should be formed by whatever method will best assure that the group will effectively realize its basic objectives. Another point here is the democratic doctrine that group goals should optimally represent the individual interests of the participants. b. Through participation and power in formalized groups. c. Through Cognitive Processes Involve exchange of information and opinions which rest upon an accurate assessment of facts. Psych5-Mod2-Lesson3: Group Structure Group Structure The relationships among the differentiated parts of or positions in the group.

Origin of Structure Many factors influence the development of group structure. However, they may be classified into three major categories: 1. Requirements for efficient group performance. 2. Characteristics of group members. Individual abilities and motivations. The individual who wants to dominate others will try to establish a centralized power structure with himself at the center. Those who enjoy social interaction will seek to establish an equalitarian structure. 3. Environment of the Group. Both physical and social also influences the structure of the group. Types of Groups According to Structure 1. Formal Groups. - Detailed written statements concerning the structure. The best example of the formal group is the work organization. The by-laws of the organization indicate all the positions within it together with the duties of each as well as the types of relationships expected among them. - The leader of a formal group is designated by those in control. - The goals of the formal group are imposed at a much higher level than the direct leadership of the group and this manner of goal setting can create difficulties in performance and morale. Hence, behavioural scientists have suggested open channels of communication in both directions. In some companies, the members are asked to set subgoals which are specific, measurable, attainable, result-focused, and timebounded (SMART). - The membership in a formal group is partly voluntary. - Norms in a formal group are superimposed. They are usually established standards of production and quality(company policy/departmental procedure/ standard operating procedure or SOP). 2. Semiformal Groups. - Churches, social clubs, PTAs - Our social and ego needs are usually satisfied. - Leadership is entrenched. The leader has a wide latitude of appointive powers. Those who have vested interest in many cases, make it a point to perpetuate the same leadership even without going through a really democratic election of officials. - have set-in-concrete goals which are rigid and essential for the preservation of the group. - Membership is purely voluntary. - Norms are negotiable. Spend a large amount of time trying to obtain consensus about their operating standards by which goals are achieved. Negotiation of group norms is a major part of the groups activities. 3. Informal Groups. - Friendship groups, hobby groups, convenience groups, etc.

They accomplish much of our education and imprint most of our cultural values. Leadership by rotation is one major attribute of informal groups. Since informal groups are purely functional, the leader called for is the one best qualified for the function. In times of stress, the group will turn to one who has proved himself quick thinking and calm. have quite fundamental and easily recognized goalsbecause of their specialized needs. Membership springs from these needs or from several common interests. Membership can be spontaneous and can dissipate when the goal is achieved. Norms may be either proposed by the leader and accepted by the group or originated as a group effort. These are enforced through the application of sanctions.