OB SEM 1 MODULE 4
OB SEM 1 MODULE 4
Q1. What is a Group? Classify Groups and Explain why people join groups.
Ans. Group: A group is a collection of individuals who interact with each other, share
common goals, and have a sense of unity or belonging. Groups can vary in size and
purpose, ranging from small informal gatherings to large formal organizations. People join
groups for various reasons, and groups play a crucial role in social, organizational, and
psychological contexts.
Classifications of Group:
1. Formal Group:
• Definition: Formal groups are intentionally created within an organization
to achieve specific objectives.
• Characteristics: They have a designated structure, clear roles, and a defined
purpose. Examples include work teams, committees, and project groups.
• Purpose: Achieving organizational goals, solving complex problems, and
facilitating communication within the formal structure.
2. Informal Group:
• Definition: Informal groups are formed naturally among individuals within
an organization based on personal relationships, common interests, or
social interactions.
• Characteristics: They lack a formal structure and are not officially recognized
by the organization. Examples include friendship groups and social circles.
• Purpose: Fulfilling social needs, providing emotional support, and enhancing
workplace satisfaction.
3. Command Group:
• Definition: Command groups are formed based on the hierarchical structure
of an organization, where individuals report to the same supervisor or
manager.
• Characteristics: Membership is determined by the organizational chart, and
members work together to achieve common objectives under the direction
of a leader.
• Purpose: Executing tasks efficiently and following the formal chain of
command.
4. Task Group:
• Definition: Task groups are formed to accomplish a specific job or task within
a defined time frame.
• Characteristics: Members come together to achieve a common goal or
complete a specific project, and once the task is completed, the group may
dissolve.
• Purpose: Focusing on a particular objective or project and leveraging diverse
skills for effective problem-solving.
5. Interest Group:
• Definition: Interest groups are formed around shared hobbies, activities, or
common interests unrelated to work.
• Characteristics: Members come together voluntarily based on their mutual
passions or hobbies, and the group's purpose is often centered on non-work-
related activities.
• Purpose: Enjoying shared interests, hobbies, or activities outside the formal
organizational structure.
6. Friendship Group:
• Definition: Friendship groups are formed based on personal relationships
and mutual liking among members.
• Characteristics: Members share personal experiences, feelings, and support
each other in both professional and personal aspects.
• Purpose: Providing emotional support, companionship, and a sense of
belonging.
Reasons Why People Join Groups:
1. Security:
• People join groups to feel secure and protected. Groups provide a sense of
belonging and safety, especially in challenging or uncertain situations.
2. Status:
• Group membership can enhance an individual's social status. Being part of
prestigious or influential groups may elevate one's social standing and
reputation.
3. Self-esteem:
• Groups contribute to an individual's self-esteem by providing a sense of
identity and recognition. Positive feedback and validation from group
members boost self-worth.
4. Affiliation:
• Human beings are social creatures, and the need for social interaction and
companionship motivates individuals to join groups. Affiliation fulfills the
basic human desire for social connections.
5. Power:
• Some individuals join groups to gain power or influence. Group
membership can provide access to resources, information, and decision-
making processes, enhancing one's ability to exert control.
6. Goal Achievement:
• Groups are often formed to achieve specific goals or objectives that
individuals cannot accomplish alone. The collective efforts of group
members contribute to goal attainment.
Understanding these classifications and reasons for joining groups is essential for both
organizational management and interpersonal dynamics. Effective group management
involves recognizing and leveraging the diverse needs and motivations of individuals
within different types of groups.
Types of Conflict:
Contemporary perspective differentiate types of conflict based on their effects.
1. Functional conflict: Conflict that supports the goals of the group and improves its
performance.
2. Dysfunctional conflict: Conflict that hinders group performance.
Process of Conflict:
Stage I : Potential opposition or Incompatibility
Communication : Semantic difficulties, misunderstandings, over communication and
“noise”
Structure
Size and specialization of jobs
Jurisdictional clarity/ambiguity
Member/goal incompatibility
Leadership styles (close or participative)
Reward systems (win-lose)
Dependence/interdependence of groups
Personal Variables : Differing individual value systems , Personality types
Stage II : Cognition and personalization
Important stage for two reasons:
1. Conflict is defined
Perceived Conflict: Awareness by one or more parties of the
existence of conditions that create opportunities for conflict to arise
2. Emotions are expressed that have a strong impact on the eventual outcome
Felt Conflict : Emotional involvement in a conflict creating anxiety,
tenseness, frustration, or hostility
Stage III : Intentions
Intentions
Decisions to act in a given way
Note: behavior does not always accurately reflect intent
Dimensions of conflict-handling intentions:
Cooperativeness : Attempting to satisfy
the other party’s
concerns
Assertiveness : Attempting to satisfy
one’s own concerns
Competing : A desire to satisfy one’s interests, regardless of the impact on the other
party to the conflict.
Collaborating :A situation in which the parties to a conflict each desire to satisfy
fully the concerns of all parties.
Avoiding : The desire to withdraw from or suppress a conflict.
Accommodating : The willingness of one party in a conflict to place the opponent’s
interests above his or her own.
Compromising : A situation in which each party to a conflict is willing to give up
something
Stage IV: Behavior
Conflict Management : The use of resolution and stimulation techniques to achieve
the desired level of conflict
Conflict-Intensity Continuum
Conflict Resolution Techniques
Problem solving
Superordinate goals
Expansion of resources
Avoidance
Smoothing
Compromise
Authoritative command
Altering the human variable
Altering the structural variables
Stage V : Outcomes
A) Functional
>) Increased group performance
>) Improved quality of decisions
>) Stimulation of creativity and innovation
>) Encouragement of interest and curiosity
>) Provision of a medium for problem solving
>) Creation of an environment for self-evaluation and change
B) Dysfunctional
>) Development of discontent
>) Reduced group effectiveness
>) Retarded communication
>) Reduced group cohesiveness
>) Infighting among group members overcomes group goals
3. Blind spot
This particular phase deals with things about ourselves which we do not know, but
that others can notice with profound clarity.
We assume things to be true of ourselves for various reasons but that others can
perceive it in different way.
This information may be in the form of mannerism, verbal cues, the way we say
things, the style in which I compare ourselves to others.
4. Unknown:
The fourth domain is termed the Unknown. In this interpersonal space, the parties
lack conscious awareness of relevant data.
This absence of awareness by both parties may still have an impact on the quality
of the overall relationship.
This phase we observe some ignorance of the prevailing traits that cannot selected
by neither subjects nor their peers as they remain in the unknown quadrant.
This represents the ignorance of recognition of participant's behaviours or motives
by anyone participating.
The reason attributed to this may be because of collective ignorance of the existence
traits. Here our potential is unknown to us and to others.
This area represents an unknown area that includes early childhood memories,
latent potentialities, intra personal dynamics, and unrecognized resources.
An assumption underlying the Johari Model is that as the Arena becomes
proportionately larger, the potential for “good” quality relationships Increases.
Since the model is believed to be dynamic, this domain may change in size and
shape as a product of expansion or contraction of knowledge by either party.
The Arena may be enlarged in one of two ways.
Exposing useful data to others (in an honest and open fashion) that was previously
unknown to them will reduce the size of the hidden (Facade) area.
Alternatively, actively taking the initiative to obtain the reactions and feelings of
others will shrink what was previously unknown to oneself, thereby decreasing the
Blindspot.
Both processes generally require active effort on the part of one or both persons.