Outcomes of Interpersonal Behaviors

Results of
Interpersonal Relations

Chapter 9

Need Social
Synergy Conflict
Satisfaction Support

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning Prepared by Charlie Cook

All rights reserved. The University of West Alabama 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 94

The Nature of Groups

Chapter Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter you should be able to: Group Defined
Discuss the interpersonal nature of organizations. Two or more people who interact with one another
such that each person influences and is influenced by
Define a group and illustrate their importance in
each other person
organizations.
Categorization of Groups
Identify and discuss the types of groups commonly
found in organizations. By degrees of formalization
Formal groups established by organization
Describe the general stages of group development. Informal groups self-created by members
Discuss the major group performance factors. By degrees of permanence
Permanent
Discuss intergroup dynamics. Temporary
Describe group decision making in organizations.

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 92 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 95

The Interpersonal Nature of Organizations Characteristics of Groups

Interpersonal relations and group processes Members may identify a little or not at all with the
pervade all organizations and are vital in groups goal
managerial activities Members may satisfy needs just by being members
Interpersonal dynamicstypes of interactions Behavior of individuals both affects and is affected by
Between individuals the group
Between groups Accomplishments of groups are strongly influenced by
Between individuals and groups the behavior of their individual members
The work group is the primary means by which
managers coordinate individuals' behavior to achieve
organizational goals
The behavior of individuals is key to the groups success
or failure
2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 93 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 96

1
 9.1 Stages of Group Development
A General Model
of Group Dynamics
Four-Stage Development Process of Groups
1. Mutual acceptance
2. Communication and decision making
3. Motivation and productivity
4. Control and organization

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 97 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 910

Types of Groups 9.2 Stages of Group Development

Categorization of
Groups

Formal Groups Informal Groups

Command Friendship
Task Interest
Affinity

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 98 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 911

9.1 Classification Scheme for Types of Groups Group Performance

Factors Affecting
Group Performance

Composition Size Norms Cohesiveness

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 99 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 912

2
 Group Performance Factors Group Performance Factors (contd)

Group Composition Factors that Determine Ideal Group Size

The degree of similarity or difference among group Group members ability to interact and influence each
members on factors important to the groups work other (maturity of the group)
Homogeneity
Degree to which members are similar in one or several ways that
Maturity of individual group members
are critical to the groups work Group tasks
Heterogeneity
Degree to which members differ in one or more ways that are Ability of the group leader
critical to the groups work to deal with communication,
conflict, task activities

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 913 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 916

Group Performance Factors (contd) Group Performance Factors (contd)

Group Composition (contd) Group Norms

Variables relating to group composition Are the standards against which the appropriateness
Productivity
of the behaviors of members are judged
Type of task
Determine behavior expected in a certain situation
Organizational diversity Result from:
Personality characteristics of members
Cultural traits: distrust, stereotyping, and communication
The situation
Effects of diversity on cooperation and understanding in
organizational alliances across country and culture boundaries The historical traditions of the group
Are enforced only for actions that are important to
group members

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 914 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 917

Group Performance Factors (contd) Group Performance Factors (contd)

Group Size Purposes of Norms

Is the number of members of the group Help the group survive
Affects resources available to perform the task Simplify and increase predictability of expected
behaviors of group members
Affects degree of formalization of interactions,
communication, and participation Help the group to avoid embarrassing situations
Can increase the degree of social loafing Express the groups central values for membership
identification and identify the group to others

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 915 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 918

3
 Group Performance Factors (contd) Intergroup Dynamics

Group Cohesiveness
Is the extent to which a group is committed to staying Primary Factors Influencing
together Intergroup Interactions

Results from forces acting on the members

Attraction to the group
Resistance to leaving the group Task and
Characteristics Organizational
Motivation to remain a member of the group situational
of each of the setting in which
bases of
groups groups interact
interaction

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 919 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 922

9.3 Factors That Affect Group Cohesiveness and 9.5

Consequences of Group Cohesiveness Factors That
Influence Intergroup
Interactions

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 920 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 923

9.4 Group Cohesiveness, Goals, and Productivity Group Decision Making

Factors Affecting
Group Decision Making

Group
Group
Groupthink Problem
Polarization
Solving

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 921 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 924

4
 Group Decision Making (contd) 9.6 The Groupthink Process

Group Polarization
The tendency for a groups average post-discussion
attitudes to be more extreme than its average pre-
discussion attitudes (risky shift or toward a more
conservative view)
Why Polarization Occurs
Increasing confidence from shared opinions
Persuasive arguments convincing weaker supporters
Individuals substituting group responsibility for
individual responsibility for the decision

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 925 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 928

Group Decision Making (contd) Symptoms of Groupthink

Groupthink Illusion of invulnerability

A mode of thinking that occurs when members of a Collective efforts to rationalize/discount warnings
group are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group and
the desire for unanimity offsets their motivation to Unquestioned belief in the groups inherent morality
appraise alternative courses of action Stereotyped views of enemy leaders
Effects of Groupthink Direct pressure on a member
Consideration of and focus on fewer alternatives
Self-censorship of deviations
Failure to perceive non-obvious risks and drawbacks
of an alternative Shared illusion of unanimity
Rejection of expert opinions Emergence of self-appointed mind-guards
Ignoring potential for setbacks or actions of
competitors in not developing contingency plans
2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 926 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 929

Groupthink 9.2 Prescriptions for Preventing Groupthink

Conditions Favoring the

Development of Groupthink

Leaders Insulation of
Strong group promotion of the group
cohesiveness a preferred from experts
solution opinions

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 927 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 930

5
 Group Decision Making (contd) Organizational Behavior in Action

Participation After reading the chapter:

Is the degree to which employees should be involved Which interpersonal behaviors have you seen at work
in decision process or in classes that suggest that people have social
Benefits of Participation needs?

Helps in judgmental problem-solving situations Which of the groups to which students commonly
belong could be defined as command groups?
Produces more and better decisions
What conflicts could occur when informal and formal
Helps in solving complex problems
groups overlap in an organization?
Creates a greater interest in the task

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 931 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 934

Group Decision Making (contd)

Group Problem Solving Difficulties

Factors limiting the generation-of-alternatives phase
Immediate reactions to alternatives discourages further
proposals of alternatives
Experience, status, and power of some members intimidates
less confident members
Limitations on idea generation imposed by the group leader

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 932

Group Decision Making (contd)

Group Problem Solving

Techniques

Nominal
Brain- Delphi
Group
storming Technique
Techniques

2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage Learning 933