7.2.5. Elements of Group Structure

A group may be defined as an organised system of two or more individuals, who are interacting and interdependent, who have common motives, have a set of role relationships among its members, and have norms that regulate the behaviour of its members.

A group is essentially more than just a collection of people. It consists of individuals who interact with each other, rely on one another, share objectives, have defined roles, and follow common behavioral guidelines. For example, in a family, each member has roles (like a parent or child) and they depend on each other for emotional and practical support.

Think of a soccer team where the coach, players, and even staff members all interact regularly. The players must work together to win, each has roles like defender or forward, and there are rules (like offside) everyone must follow, which makes them a group.

Groups have the following salient characteristics:

• A social unit consisting of two or more individuals who perceive themselves as belonging to the group.
• A collection of individuals who have common motives and goals.
• A collection of individuals who are interdependent.
• Individuals trying to satisfy a need through their joint association also influence each other.
• A gathering of individuals who interact with one another either directly or indirectly.

Groups have specific traits that help identify them. They are social units where members see themselves as part of a whole. They share common goals (like winning a game), rely on each other (like leaning on teammates), and their interactions can influence each other's thoughts and behaviors. This makes them distinct from random crowds where people do not interact meaningfully.

Imagine a study group preparing for exams. Each member sees themselves as part of a team working towards a common goal. They help each other understand difficult topics, showing interdependence, which is unlike a crowd at a concert where individuals don’t necessarily interact.

• Security: Being part of a group provides safety and comfort.
• Status: Membership in important groups gives recognition and a sense of power.
• Self-esteem: Groups offer feelings of worth and enhance self-concept.
• Common motives and goals: People come together to achieve shared objectives.

People have various reasons for joining groups, such as the desire for safety and comfort, which groups naturally provide. Being recognized in an important group can boost one’s status and confidence. Additionally, shared goals motivate people to associate with each other, making the journey towards achieving those goals more manageable and enjoyable.

Consider someone who joins a sports club. They feel safer and more supported while participating in activities with others who share a passion for sports. The recognized feeling of belonging to a prestigious team can significantly improve their self-esteem.

Groups may go through different stages of formation, conflict, stabilization, and performance, as discussed by Tuckman: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.

Tuckman's model outlines the developmental phases groups typically experience. Initially, members may experience uncertainty (forming), leading to potential conflicts over roles and rules (storming). As they settle into their dynamics (norming), they begin working effectively towards their goals (performing) and may disband after achieving their objectives (adjourning). Understanding these stages helps to manage group dynamics more effectively.

Think of a project team assigned to complete a report. At first, they may be uncertain about who will do what (forming), then have disagreements about contributions (storming), agree on roles and tasks (norming), collaborate to finish the report (performing), and finally, disband once the project is submitted (adjourning).

Four important elements of group structure are roles, norms, status, and cohesiveness.

Roles in a group are the expected behaviors associated with a position within the group. Norms are the unwritten rules governing how members should behave. Status refers to the perceived ranking of a member within the group. Cohesiveness reflects the strength of the bonds between group members. Each of these elements contributes to how effectively a group functions and achieves its goals.

In a workplace, an employee is expected to follow specific protocols (roles) while working as part of a team that has established rules on how to communicate (norms). Their position may be viewed as higher or lower by others (status), and how well everyone works together can influence success (cohesiveness).

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