Group dynamics deals with the attitudes and behavioral patterns of a group. Group dynamics concern how groups are formed, what is their structure and which processes are followed in their functioning. Thus, it is concerned with the interactions and forces operating between groups. Group dynamics is relevant to groups of all kinds – both formal and informal.

1. GROUP DYNAMICS
K.THIYAGU,
Assistant Professor, Department of Education,
Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod

2. Group
A collection of people who have a common purpose or
objective, interact, perform with each other to
accomplish the group objectives

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GROUP
Group
2 or more
persons
Formal Social
Structure
Common Fate
Common Goals
Face-to-Face
Interaction
Inter-
dependence
Recognition by
others
Team

4. PROCESS OR STAGES OF
GROUP DEVELOPMENT
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
Adjourning
Example

6. STAGES OF GROUP FORMATION
Members
get to know
each other &
set ground
rules
Members
come to
Resist
Control by
group
Leaders &
Show
hostility
Members
Work
Together
developing
Close
Relationships
& feelings of
Cohesiveness
Group
members
work
towards
Getting
their jobs
done
Group
may
disband
either
after
meeting
their goals
or because
members
Leave
Stage I
Forming
Stage II
Storming
Stage III
Norming
Stage IV
Performing
Stage V
Adjourning

7. Forming
• First stage
• Members try to know each other and establish a common understanding among them.

8. Storming
• Second Stage of group formation.
• Group members try to resist for being controlled by the group very often, the members disagree about who should lead the group.
• There is mutual understanding and agreement about who will lead the group.

9. Norming
• Third stage of group development
• They develop a very close intimacy and relationship with one another.
• A well-developed sense of common purpose of the group emerges among the members.

10. Performing
• Fourth stage
• When this stage reaches, the group is ready to tackle all types of group tasks.
• The members of the group work toward achievement of the group goals.

11. Adjourning
• Fifth stage
• At this stage, a group disbands (Split / Scatter) after having accomplished its goals.
• In the case of temporary groups, like project team, task force, or any other such group, which have a limited task at hand

12. TYPES OF GROUPS
Group
Formal
Command Task Functional
Informal
Interest Friendship References
Good vs bad

13. Formal Groups
• Specified by the organizational chart (supervisor and the subordinates that
report to that supervisor) (Finance, Academic Dept).
• The leaders play an important role
Command Group
• Consist of people who work together to achieve a common task.
• Eg: Designing the syllabus under semester system.
Task Group
• Created by the organization to accomplish specific goals within an unspecified time
frame - Groups remain in existence after achievement of current goals and objectives.
• Eg: Academic department & Accounting department.
Functional Group

14. Informal Group
• Members with common interest.
• Eg: Study, Cultural ,Gaming Groups
Interest
Group
• Members who enjoy similar social activities, political beliefs,
religious values.
• Eg: Union, Party Lunch once a month group
Friendship Group
• Reference groups have a strong influence on members’
behavior. Such groups are formed voluntarily.
• Eg: Committee, volunteers in function
Reference Group

15. FACTORS OF GROUP FORMATION
Factors group
formation
Psychological
Social
Security
Economic
Cultural
Proximity
Interest, Attitude,
personality, perception
Social Class,
Caste,
Religion
Union
Club
Saving Groups
Health Care Fund
Sit, stay
eat, discuss
(Close to each)
Region,
Society
Language
Chak de
India

16. Theories of Group Formation
• Common
occupational
interests
• Doing similar
task
• Gains / Rewards
• Power,
Leadership And
Prestige.
• Geographical
proximity
• Nearness
• Similar Attitudes
• likes & dislikes,
beliefs,
Balance
Theory
Proximity
Theory
Activity
Theory
Benefit
Theory
Dance

17. GROUP DYNAMICS
• The word ”Dynamics” - Greek word meaning – “force”
• Hence group dynamics refers to the study of forces operating within a group.
• Kurt Lewin, a social psychologist is credited with coining the term "Group Dynamics" in the early 1940.
• Group dynamics deals with the attitudes and behavioral patterns of a group.

19. FEATURES OF GROUP DYNAMICS
Features
of Group
Dynamics
Concerned
with group
Changes
Rigidity or
Flexibility
Group
organization
Continuous
process

21. FACTORS AFFECTING
GROUP BEHAVIOUR
FACTORS AFFECTING
GROUP BEHAVIOUR
Group
Resources
Ability
Group
Structure
Size,
Roles,
Norms, Cohesiveness
Group
Processes
Communication,
Conflict Mg,
Leadership
Group
Tasks
Complexity ,
Interdependence
Race

23. Group Member Resources
• The members’ knowledge, abilities, skills; and personality characteristics

25. Group Structure
• Group Size: Small groups of two to
ten are thought to be more
effective because each member has
ample opportunity to take part and
engage actively in the group. Large
groups may waste time by deciding
on processes and trying to decide
who should participate next.
• Group Roles: In formal groups,
roles are always predetermined
and assigned to members. Work
roles are task-oriented activities
that involve accomplishing the
group’s goals.
• Group Norms: Norms define
the acceptable standard or
boundaries of acceptable
and unacceptable
behaviour, shared by group
members.
• Group Cohesiveness:
Cohesiveness refers to the
bonding of group members
or unity, feelings of
attraction for each other
and desire to remain part of
the group.

26. Group Processes
• Communication: Quality communication such as helping behaviors and information-sharing causes groups to be superior to the average individual in
terms of the quality of decisions and effectiveness of decisions made or actions taken.
• Conflict management: Conflict management is the process of limiting the negative aspects of conflict while increasing the positive aspects of conflict..
• Leadership: A good leader has a clear picture of future results and aligns organizational strategy with this vision. A leader must be intimately
familiar with the end destination.

27. Group Tasks
Complexity:
A factor involved in a
complicated process or situation
in the group task.
Interdependence:
interdependence is the degree to
which members of the group are
mutually dependent on the
others.

28. CAUSES OF POOR GROUP DYNAMICS
• Weak leadership
• Excessive deference to authority
• Blocking: The aggressor: The negator: The withdrawer: The joker:
• Free riding & Evaluation apprehension

29. EDUCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF GROUP DYNAMICS
• Its purpose is to promote, democratic activities.
• Total work done by a group is more than the sum of the work done by them individually. (For this reason
only, John Deway advocated the ‘Project method’ of teaching in schools).
• Sense of ‘we-feeling’ will get increased - social climate in the classroom.
• Inter-school competitions in sports and games, academics and co-curricular fields promote the feeling of
solidarity among the pupils of respective schools participating in such competitions.
• Provision should be made available to impart citizenship training and self-governance through various
planned programmes.
• Beginning the school work every day with morning assembly, participation by all in different school
functions and celebrations, common school uniform, school prayer etc. provide opportunities to develop
the feeling of solidarity in the school.
• Group dynamics should be profitably used to develop social skills and social maturity in children.
• Campus clean, brining out school magazine, participating in inter-school competitions etc.

30. Thank you