A Level PE - Group Cohesion and Dynamics

A Level PE - Groups Cohesion and Dynamics:

Group: Two or more people interacting with one another such a manner that each person influences and is influenced by each other person

• A group of people with shared common goals

Groups:

• A group will only form a ‘bond’ if the following characteristics are in place (Carron):
  • A collective identity 
  • A sense of shared purpose
  • A clear structure of communication
  • Share a common goal

Successful Groups:

• Have a strong collective identity -> opportunity to socialise, share goals & ambitions and have ownership of ideas
• Have members who communicate effectively 
• Have strong cohesion
• Have members who value relationships within the group
• Have a successful coach or leader who values contribution of members 
• Motivate each other by giving individuals credit for their actions (e.g. number of tackles made), praise from significant others, positive feedback, winning

Group Cohesion: The degree of successful bonding or strength of group co-operation

Formation and Development of a Cohesive Group/Team:

Group Dynamics: process by which a group is consistently developing an changing when interaction takes place 

• The 6 I’s help us identify if a group is cohesive:
  • Interaction (communication over a period of time) 
  • Interdependence (person & task to achieve a common goal)
  • Interpersonal relationships (mutual attraction)
  • Identical goals/norms/values
  • Identity (perception of group existence)
  • Independence 
• A coach has to work to develop the 6 I’s over a considerable amount of time in order to get the best performance out of them

Building Group Cohesion:

• Leaders in sports environments should aim to develop cohesiveness within a group 
• It is claimed that the development of a group normally goes through 4 stages of group formation:

1. Forming - the group meets or is assembled
2. Storming - heightened tension may developers roles are defined and tasks established 
3. Norming - Rules and standards of behaviour are agreed as cohesion is built
4. Performing - The group matures and works together 

Steiner’s Model of Group Performance:

The model states: actual productivity = potential productivity - faulty processes

Potential Productivity: The groups best performances given its resources (e.g. skills of individuals, knowledge)

Faulty Processes: Things that can go wrong (e.g. poor co-ordination, social loafing, competition)

Two Main Reasons Exist for Faulty Processes:

• Co-ordination problems: due to team not working effectively together (e.g. poor timings -> corner in football)
• Motivational Losses: often occur when players don’t have the same motives, lead to loss of group cohesion

Strategies to Reduce the Negative Impact of Faulty Processes on Performance:

• Practice/training to ensure all understand tactics
• Give individuals specific roles/responsibilities 
• Explain specific roles within the team
• Give feedback/video analysis 
• Develop peer support/encouragement 
• Vary practises to maintain motivation
• Improve fitness levels
• Team bonding exercise 
• Avoid social cliques
• Create a group identity, e.g. kit
• Maintain stability if possible 

Social Loafing & Ringlemann Effect:

• Individuals reduce their effort when in a group
• Performers can hide their lack of effort amongst the effort of other group members

• Can be eliminated if the contribution of an individual can be…