In my paper, I will attempt to identify the roles, tasks and dynamics of groupthink.
Harris and Sherblom (2005) define small group communication as "the transactional process of using symbolic behavior to achieve shared meaning among group members." (p. 4). The dynamics of working in a group can be a learning tool as the group learns to work together, communicate, collaborate, support, take on responsibility, follow direction, influence and lead in the direction in which the group is to achieve the goal or task at hand. Why do people join groups? An individual may join a group for various reasons and according to Harris and Sherblom there are four general reasons; interpersonal interaction, personal need for affiliation, meaning or identity. Being a part of a group is dependent on each member to being willing to work toward a common goal regardless of whether they agree with it. It is the group leader's responsibility to choose a direction for the group and to delegate tasks accordingly. Group thinking constructs an ability to work together, also known as Synergy, which comes from the Greek word sungeros (Morris 1981). "Synergy results from two or more people working together, sharing ideas with open minds and mutual respect, and managing conflict in ways that empower all members, also according to Morris he believes there is an advantage in working in a group. I agree that working in groups can be an advantage, as well as rewarding, frustrating and also an opportunity for an individual to develop leadership skills.
We have all encountered a time when have worked within in a group, whether it has been at home, school, work, church or in the community in which one lives in. There are many roles that make up the group; some are necessary and some are a necessity. Scholars have divided those roles into two general categories-those that take into consideration the importance of the group's task and those roles necessary for the social and emotional needs of the group (Ketrow, 1991).
(Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborne 255) One of the dangers involve with group decision making is groupthink, which is "the tendency of members in highly cohesive groups to lose their critical evaluative capabilities." (Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborne 256) To avoid the errors of groupthink Team D has a process of assigning different sections of assignments to individual contributors. ... Group Dynamics for Teams. ...
Conflict, Conflict Resolution, and Cohesion in Groups Picture in your mind, your first assignment as the team leader of a problem- solving group at your place of work. You, of course, want to prove your competence as team leader. Facilitating a well functioning team is very important to you. Every thing is going well then bam! All of the sudden it happens, the inevitable first conflict. ...
Another fundamental advantage of focus groups is that it is possible to observe the dynamics of group interaction (Stewart & Shamdasani, 1990). ... Critics maintain that rather than being an advantage, the group dynamics of focus groups are a disadvantage. ... "Groupthink" (Janis, 1982) is also a possible outcome. ... Because of the group dynamics of focus groups, the requirements of moderator skills are great. ... The analyst cannot know all the dynamics that might influence the participants in the discussion. ...
From (1941) noted that the basis of group psychology is the individual personality and defined social character as that part of the individual character structure that is common to most members of a group."1 "The dynamics of the KKK may be better understood in terms of the individual psycho-dynamics of the group members. ... In addition, the eruption of group violence of the KKK type may be explained by analyzing the psycho-dynamics of group regression to an infantile level and the accompanying arousal of the "unmanageable mother." 3 Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, ETATS-UNIS (1960) (Revue)1-3 The KKK p...
1. Introduction We live in a world which is highly competitive in all areas of life. As a student, we need to concentrate on many different topics. We are under time pressure to achieve good grades and while writing about the most difficult topics we are still in the process of learning, sometimes of learning in what we are really interested in. As a graduate we need to find the right job, with which we earn enough money to cover all our expenditures, but which will still be satisfying our expectations. ...
I take from this that the way we interact with others in a group setting and the attitude and inside and outside forces that come into play can, and will, affect group performance and group dynamics. ... Groupthink occurs when a group overestimates power and morality, becomes closed minded, or pressures toward uniformity. If groupthink comes out in a group, the group is less likely to succeed in their desired goals. ...
1. ABSTRACT For a group to function effectively, the norms and values along which lines the group is going to function need to be clearly established and clarified to all concerned. These help to determine the status, roles and responsibilities of the members, in order for them to work together a...
I have been a student of the real estate market for almost five years, and throughout these years, I have learned many of the fascinating dynamics of this genre of investing. ... Whatever gateway is used, real estate offers an escape from the groupthink that often imprisons many conventional investors. ...
