7.2.1. What is a Group?

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 a collection of at least two people who come together for a shared purpose. Members of a group interact with one another, meaning they communicate and engage in activities together. They are interdependent, which means that the actions or outcomes of one member can affect the others. Additionally, groups share common motives and have established roles and norms that dictate how members should behave within the group.

Think of a sports team, such as a soccer team. Each player has their own role (like defender or forward) and they have to work closely together to win a game. Their individual performances influence the team's success, showing their interdependence. The team's shared goal is to win matches, highlighting their common motives.

• 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.
• A gathering of individuals who interact with one another either directly or indirectly.
• A collection of individuals whose interactions are structured by a set of roles and norms.

These characteristics emphasize what sets groups apart from mere crowds or collections of people. For a group to exist, its members must identify with each other and feel a sense of belonging. They should also share common goals or interests, which guide their interactions. Moreover, group members are interdependent, meaning their actions can impact one another. Structure is crucial; groups have defined roles and socially agreed norms that dictate expected behaviors, which provide order and stability.

Consider a classroom of students. The students form a group because they all belong to the same class and often work together on projects. They have shared goals like passing exams and participating in activities, and their roles may be defined (like group leader or note taker). Their interactions are guided by norms, such as being respectful and participating in discussions.

For example, a social unit consisting of two or more individuals who perceive themselves as belonging to the group. This characteristic of the group helps in distinguishing one group from the other collections of people.

While groups consist of interconnected members who share roles and norms, a crowd is simply a collection of individuals gathered in one place without the same level of interaction or interdependence. Members of a crowd do not have defined relationships or roles, making their interactions casual and less meaningful.

Imagine a football match. The audience in the stands represents a crowd. They are all there to watch the game, but they do not interact with each other in a significant way and do not have defined roles like the players on the field who are part of a team—this team is a group.

People join groups because these groups satisfy a range of needs including security, status, self-esteem, and goal achievement.

Several motivations drive individuals to seek group membership. Security is a significant factor; being part of a group can provide a sense of safety and belonging. Status is another factor, as being associated with a respected group can enhance self-image. Groups can also foster self-esteem through shared experiences and mutual support. Finally, individuals often join groups to achieve goals that would be difficult to accomplish alone.

Think about joining a school club, such as a debate club. You may join initially for the camaraderie and to meet new friends (security), but as you become more involved, you might also feel proud to be part of an accomplished group (status) and gain confidence as you improve your debating skills (self-esteem). Additionally, participating in the club helps you prepare for future competitions (goal achievement).

When group members first meet, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the goal, how it is to be achieved, and their roles. This phase is referred to as the forming stage.

Groups typically go through stages of formation. In the forming stage, members meet and begin to understand the group's purpose and their own roles within it. There might be uncertainty and a lack of clarity as members start to get to know each other. Following this is the storming stage, where conflicts about roles and responsibilities may arise, leading to a clearer structure as discussions evolve. Eventually, groups move towards norms and then to performing stages where they actively work towards their goals.

Consider how a new project team in a workplace begins. Initially, they meet (forming stage) and get to know each other's backgrounds and expertise. Over time, they might face disagreements over how to approach the project (storming stage), but as they settle these differences, they establish mutual understanding and set norms (norming) before finally working together effectively (performing).

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