Chapter 5: Fundamentals of Group Dynamics

Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected to:

1. state the fundamentals of group and group dynamics;

2. explain the concepts, characteristics, and types of groups; and
3. classify groups as formal or informal.

Overview

This chapter dwells on the fundamentals of group and group dynamics, which include the
forces found in small groups, concepts of social group, special properties of groups, types of
groups, characteristics of a group, and kinds of formal and informal groups.

Group

Group is defined as two or more persons engaged in a social interaction. This implies that
each member of a group is aware of the other members and their influence. Some psychologists
consider this definition too general and prefer to limit the use of the term group to a collection of
individuals who find their association with one another rewarding. Others say that a group exists
only when the individual members have developed status and role relationships with respect to
one another. Still others insist that the individuals must have a common goal in order for them to
be considered as a group. The existence of any group is assumed to depend on the participation
and satisfaction of the individuals comprising it.

Group Dynamics

The social process by which people interact in a small group and in a face-to-face manner
is called group dynamics. Dynamics comes from the Greek word dynamics which means "force."
Group dynamics then refers to the study of the forces operating within a group.

Forces Found in Small Groups

There are two important historical landmarks in understanding small groups. These are
the research of Elton Mayo and his associates in the 1920s and 1930s, and the experiments
conducted in the 1930s by Kurt Lewin, considered as the founder of the group dynamics
movement. According to Mayo, workers tend to establish formal groups that affect job
satisfaction and effectiveness. Lewin shows that different kinds of leadership attitudes produce
different responses in groups.

A group is composed of individuals who have come together to accomplish a particular

task or goal. Group dynamics refers to the attitudinal and behavioral characteristics of a group. In
a group, the members share consciousness of membership and interaction. A group is not mere
collection of individuals but an aggregate of personalities acting and interacting with one another
in the process of living. To be a member of a group, one must participate in its common life and
activities. Group dynamics form the structure of a group and how its members function.

Concepts of Social Group

San Juan and Centeno (2011) present that "psychologically, man is said to be a rational
being; politically, he is a political and power-seeking being; theologically, he is a religious, God-
seeking being; and sociologically, man is a gregarious social being seeking the company of other
social beings." The saying "No man is an island" explains that a person cannot live satisfactorily
by himself/herself alone. His/Her very existence and the satisfaction of his/her needs and wants,
as well as his/her happiness, depends to a large degree upon his/her association with other
people.

Special Properties of Groups

The special properties of groups are illustrated by a simple lesson in mathematics, as in

one plus one equals three. This is a logical error in the world of mathematics. In the world of
group dynamics, however, this is rational. In a group, there is no such thing as merely a
composition of two people. It is their relationship that makes it three. For instance, salt (sodium
chloride) has different properties from the sodium and the chlorine elements that form a group to
make it (San Juan & Centeno, 2011),

Group types are classified as formal or informal in nature. Formal work groups are
established by an organization to achieve its goals.

Types of Groups

Groups are generally classified as follows:

1. Primary group is characterized by intimate face-to-face association and cooperation

among its members. It fundamentally forms the social nature and ideals of an individual.
It involves sympathy and mutual identification which is a form of natural expression (San
Juan & Centeno, 2011).

2. Secondary group consists of members who are aware and cognizant of personal
relationships, but they do not feel that their lives are bound with one another except in
time of social crisis. The members may be separated from one another by distance or by a
lack of personal physical contact. Nevertheless, they can share their interests through
correspondence, press, radio, telephone, or other means (San Juan & Centeno, 2011).
Characteristics of a Group

Here are the important characteristics of a group:

1. Interaction is the pattern of mutual influence (physical, verbal, non-verbal, emotional,

etc.).
2. Structure is a stable pattern of relationships.
a. Roles deal with the behavior expected of members in a given position.
b. Norms are the rules that identify and describe appropriate behavior.
c. Inter-member relations are influenced by authority and communication.
3. Goals are the reason for existence.
4. Perceived groupness is the extent in which members see themselves as one (common
fate, similarity, proximity).
5. Dynamic interdependency occurs when the members are active, energized, vibrant, and
changing. 6. Motivation focuses on personal needs which-when attained-lead to
satisfaction.

Kinds of Formal Groups

Formal groups are divided into the following:

1. Command groups are specified by the organizational chart and often composed of a
leader and the members who directly report to him/her.

Example: An academic department consisting of a chair and faculty members

2. Task groups consist of people who work together to achieve a common task. Members
are brought together to accomplish a narrow range of goals within a specified time.

Examples: Ad hoc committees, project groups, standing committees

3. Functional groups are created by an organization to accomplish specific goals within an

unspecified time frame. They continue to function even after their goals have been
achieved.

Example: A sales and marketing department

Kinds of Informal Groups

1. Interest groups usually continue over time and may last longer than general informal
groups. The goals and objectives of interest groups are specific to each group and may
not be related to organizational goals and objectives.

Example: Students who come together to form a study group for a specific class
 2. Friendship groups are formed by individuals who enjoy similar social activities, political
beliefs, religious values, or other common bonds. Members enjoy each other's company.

Examples: Students who have an exercise group or who meet for a so-called jamming

3. Reference groups are composed of people who are evaluated for social validation and
social comparison. Social validation allows individuals to justify their attitudes and value
while social comparison helps individuals evaluate their own actions by comparing
themselves with others.

Informal groups are formed naturally in response to the common interests and shared values
of individuals. They are created for purposes other than the accomplishment of organizational
goals and do not have a specified time frame. Informal groups are not designated by an
organization and members can invite others to join from time to time.

Meeting is convened for different purposes. Some are for information, advice, decision-
making, negotiation, coordination, and creative thinking. A committee holds a specific type of
meeting in which members have been delegated authority with regard to the problem at hand.

A meeting of five people seems to be preferred for typical situations (Davis 1982). A smaller
group sometimes has difficulty functioning because conflicts of power develop. If membership
rises above seven, communication tends to become centralized because members do not have
adequate opportunity to communicate with one another (Evangelista 1992).

Conclusion

A person cannot live alone; he/she needs the company of others. By nature a social being
who needs to form a group, a person has his/her own community. Aside from permanent
groupings, there are also temporary ones such as the various organizations in society, which may
be religious, economic, or political in nature.

Forming a group is important to every human being because he/she needs a companion
for the rest of his/her life. However, regulation must impose and followed for the smooth
existence of any group.

REFERENCE:
Villasoto, H.S & Villasoto, N. S. (2018). Human person gearing towards social development: NSTP-
CWTS 1 worktext for college students. 2nd Edition. C & E Publishing, Inc. pp. 53-57