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CWTS 1 M7 W5

This document provides an overview of group dynamics and the different types of groups. It defines what a group is and discusses the forces and concepts involved in group dynamics. It describes the key characteristics of groups, including interactions, structure, goals and perceived groupness. It also outlines the different types of formal groups, like command, task and functional groups, and informal groups, such as interest and friendship groups. The document is divided into sections covering group dynamics, concepts of social groups, properties of groups, characteristics of groups, and kinds of formal and informal groups.

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346 views

CWTS 1 M7 W5

This document provides an overview of group dynamics and the different types of groups. It defines what a group is and discusses the forces and concepts involved in group dynamics. It describes the key characteristics of groups, including interactions, structure, goals and perceived groupness. It also outlines the different types of formal groups, like command, task and functional groups, and informal groups, such as interest and friendship groups. The document is divided into sections covering group dynamics, concepts of social groups, properties of groups, characteristics of groups, and kinds of formal and informal groups.

Uploaded by

Clark Refuerzo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Page 1 of 4

COLLEGE OF CRIMININAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

NSTP – CWTS 1

MODULE 7 – WEEK 5

Prepared by: ALBERT B. GALORA


Instructor

Checked by: ANGELO D. VILLANUEVA


NSTP Coordinator

Noted by: MARK P. CIANO, MSCRIM


Dean, Criminology Dept.

Approved by: JOSSETTE Y. PEREZ-DAES, RN


President
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NSTP – CWTS 1
MODULE 7 - WEEK 5

Chapter 5: Fundamentals of Group Dynamics


Group
Group is defined as two or more persons engaged in a social interaction. This implies that
each member of a group is aware of the other members and their influence. Some psychologists
consider this definition too general and prefer to limit the use of the term group to a collection of
individuals who find their association with one another rewarding. Others say that a group exists
only when the individual members have developed status and role relationships with respect to
one another. Still others insist that the individuals must have a common goal in order for them to
be considered as a group.

The existence of any group is assumed to depend on the participation and satisfaction of
the individuals comprising it.

Group Dynamics

The social process by which people interact in a small group and in a face-to-face manner
is called group dynamics. Dynamics comes from the Greek work dunamis which means “force.”
Group dynamics then refers to the study of the forces operating within a group.

Forces Found in Small Groups

There are two important historical landmarks in understanding small groups. These are
the research of Elton Mayo and his associates in the 1920s and 1930s, and the experiments
conducted in the 1930s by Kurt Lewin, considered as the founder of the group dynamics
movement. According to Mayo, workers tend to establish formal groups that affect job satisfaction
and effectiveness. Lewin shows that different kinds of leadership attitudes produce different
responses in groups.

A group is composed of individuals who have come together to accomplish a particular


task or goal. Group dynamics refers to the attitudinal and behavioral characteristics of a group. In
a group, the members share consciousness of membership and interaction. A group is not a mere
collection of individuals but an aggregate of personalities acting and interacting with one another
in the process of living. To be a member of a group, one must participate in its common life and
activities. Group dynamics form the structure of a group and how its members function.

Concepts of Social Group

San Juan and Centeno (2011) present that “psychologically, man is said to be a rational
being; politically, he is a political and power-seeking being; theologically, he is a religious, God-
seeking being; and sociologically, man is a gregarious social being seeking the company of other
Page 3 of 4

social beings.” The saying “No man is an island” explains that a person cannot live satisfactorilyl
by himself/herself alone. His/Her very existence and the satisfaction of his/her needs and wants,
as well as his/her happiness, depends to a large degree upon his/her association with other
people.

Special Properties of Group

The special properties of groups are illustrated by a simple lesson in mathematics, as in


one plus one equals three. This a logical error in the world of mathematics. The world of group
dynamics, however, this is rational. In a group, there is no such thing as merely a composition of
two people. It is their relationship that makes it three. For instance, salt (sodium chloride) has
different properties from the sodium and the chlorine elements that form a group to make it (San
Juan & Centeno, 2011).

Groups are classified as formal or informal in nature. Formal work groups are established
by an organization to achieve its goals.

Types of Groups

Groups are generally classified as follows:


1. Primary group is characterized by intimate face-to-face association and
cooperation among its members. Its fundamentally forms the social nature and
ideals of an individual. It involves sympathy and mutual identification which is a
form of natural expression (San Juan & Centeno, 2011).
2. Secondary group consists of members who are aware and cognizant of personal
relationships, but they do not feel that their lives are bound with one another except
in time of social crisis. The members may be separated from one another by
distance or by a lack of personal physical contact. Nevertheless, they can share
their interests through correspondence, press, radio, telephone, or other means
(San Juan & Centeno, 2011).

Characteristics of a Group

Here are the important characteristics of a group:


1. Interactions is the pattern of mutual influence (physical, verbal, non-verbal,
emotional, etc).
2. Structure is stable pattern of relationships.
a. Roles deal with the behavior expected of members in a given position.
b. Norms are the rules that identify and describe appropriate behavior.
c. Inter-member relations are influenced by authority and communication.
3. Goals are the reason for existence.
4. Perceived groupness is the extent in which members see themselves as one
(common fate, similarity, proximity).
5. Dynamic interdependency occurs when the members are active, energized,
vibrant, and changing.
6. Motivation focuses on personal needs which – when attained – lead to satisfaction.

Kinds of Formal Groups

Formal groups are divided into the following:


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1. Command groups are specified by the organizational chart and often composed of a
leader and the member who directly report to him/her.
Example: An academic department consisting of a chair and faculty members

2. Task groups consist of people who work together to achieve a common task. Members
are brought together to accomplish a narrow range of goals within a specified time.
Example: Ad hoc committees, project groups, standing committees

3. Functional groups are created by an organization to accomplish specific goals within


an unspecified time frame. They continue to function even after their goals have been
achieved.
Example: A sales and marketing department

Kinds of Informal Groups

1. Interest groups usually continue over time and may last longer than general informal
groups. These goals and objectives of interest groups are specific to each group and
may not be related to organizational goals and objectives.
Example: Students who come together to form a study group for a specific class

2. Friendship groups are formed by individuals who enjoy similar social activities, political
beliefs, religious values, or other common bonds. Members enjoy each other’s
company.
Example: Students who have an exercise group or who meet for a so-called
jamming

3. Reference groups are composed of people who are evaluated for social validation and
social comparison. Social validation allows individuals to justify their attitudes and
value while social comparison helps individuals evaluate their own actions by
comparing themselves with others.

Informal groups are formed naturally in response to the common interests and shared
values of individuals. They are created for purposes other than the accomplishment of
organizational goals and do not have a specified time frame. Informal groups are not designated
by an organization and members can invite others to join from time to time.

Meeting is convened for different purposes. Some are for information, advice, decision-
making, negotiation, coordination, and creative thinking. A committee holds a specific type of
meeting in which members have been delegated authority with regard to the problem at hand.

A meeting of five people seems to be preferred for typical situations (Davis 1982). A
smaller group sometimes has difficulty functioning because conflicts of power develop. If
membership arises above seven, communication tends to become centralized because members
do not have adequate opportunity to communicate with one another (Evangelista 1992).

Reference: Human Person Gearing towards Social Development: NSTP-CWTS 1


Worktext for College Students, Second Edition
By: Herminigildo S. Villasoto, Noemi S. Villasoto

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