Transcript Group Dynamics of Performance.

Group Dynamics of
Performance.
Mr. P. Leighton
Sports Psychology
Yr13
In today’s session…
• We will look at the ways GROUP COHESION
can be developed.
• We will observe the impacts of different group
dynamics can have on performance and
motivation in pursuit of a healthy, balanced and
active lifestyle.
• Key theories and contemporary examples linked
to these two areas.
So what is Group Cohesion…
• Which of these could be called a “Group”?.
• Why?
Answers…
• A Basketball team, an aerobics session or a PE lessons
participants constitute a group.
• A football crowd or people running on treadmills in a
gym do not constitute a group as they do not have the
ability to interact or are not mutually aware of each
other.
• This is backed up by McGrath (1984) who stated…
“Groups are those social aggregates that involve mutual
awareness and the potential for interaction”.
Interaction and
Interdependence…
• McGrath also proposed that groups need to be
small enough to allow for interdependence.
• Interdependence is a dynamic of being mutually
and physically responsible to, and sharing a
common set of principles with others.
• Carron and Davies (1998) agreed with this and
stated that groups should have…
Structured patterns
Of communication.
Collective
Identity.
Group Unity
The Group…
A common goal
Shared Purpose
Group Performance:
Steiner’s Model…
Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity – losses due to faulty processes.
OR…
(AP = PP – FP)
• Actual productivity is the team performance at a given time and
refers to the extent of successful interaction.
• Potential productivity is the maximum capability of the group
when cohesiveness appears at its strongest.
• Faulty processes means the factors which can go wrong with
team performance. This can detract and impede cohesion and
possibly detract from the potential of the team.
Co-ordination losses…
(The Ringelmann Effect)
• Any breakdown in teamwork is regarded as a co-ordination loss.
• This occurs because operational effectiveness of the group as a
whole cannot be sustained for the duration of a match.
• Maximilien Ringelmann (1861-1931) had people alone and in
groups pull on a rope attached to a strain gauge to measure the
pull force. Surprisingly, the total of the group pulls did not equal
the sum of the individual pulls - it was less. In contemporary
speak, synergy was not created.
Continued…
• Team cohesion is more at risk when numbers
increase…
• What is meant by this?
– 5 a Side/ Basketball team: small numbers
– Rugby Union: 15 a side: Larger Numbers
• The Ringlemann Effect along with Social Loafing are
the major faulty processes that prevent a group from
becoming a synchronised cohesive unit.
Motivation Losses…
(Social Loafing)
• Motivation losses relate to an individual who
suffers a decrease in motivation during
performance causing the player to withdraw
effort and “Coast” through a period of play, e.g.
Robinho at Manchester City.
Continued…
• This loss of motivation and subsequent
relaxation can prevent team co-ordination and
inhibit team cohesion.
• Robinho example: Roberto Mancini stated…
“'Does he have a future here? All players try to
work hard during the week in training and that is
the most important thing. If he wants a future
here, then, yes, that is what he has to do”.
The causes of Social Loafing, The
Ringlemann Effect and DYSFUNCTIONAL
behaviours…
• The feeling that others on the team are not trying may cause and
individual to make less effort.
• “Social Loafing” will arise if a player feels that their performance is
not valued or watched by the coach.
• A player with low self-confidence will develop a strategy social
loafing to protect their self-esteem.
• A player who has suffered a negative experience, possibly a loss or a
failure, may have the tendency to “loaf ”.
• A loss of motivation can be linked back to “Avoidance Behaviours”.
Task Cohesion and Social
Cohesion…
• Task Cohesion is most
important for interactive
sports such as Hockey.
• Task Cohesion relates to how
members work together or
complete a task successfully.
• Social Cohesion is more
important in Co-active sports
such as Track and Field or
Fitness.
• Social Cohesion is concerned
with formation of groups
which provide support and
friendship.
Sub-groups…
• With larger groups such as a county netball
squad there is a possibility that sub-groups can
emerge.
• This can impede the development of a cohesive
unit or team. i.e. Man City Example…
What effects Team Cohesion?
Situational Factors.
Individual Factors.
• Include elements of a specific
situation and environment in
which the team operates e.g. the
time available, interactive or coactive, tradition of leadership.
• Group size is also significant as
it is more difficult in a large
group than a small to facilitate
cohesion
• This refers to the characteristics
of team members. The
motivation level and experience
in the activity are also examples
i.e. Shaun Long joining Hull
FC- what will this mean?
What effects Team Cohesion?
Leadership Factors.
• This involves the style of
leadership preferred by the
group…
– Autocratic
– Democratic
– Laissez Faire
• Leadership styles are
determined by…
– Task
– Position of the Leader
– Relationships between all
participants.
Team Factors.
• Team factors include
– collective team goals: what do
they want as a group?
– Good Communication: Is there
a barrier to communication?
Foreigners/ Sub-groups?
– Record of shared success:
Arsenal “Invincibles”/ Leeds
Rhinos?
Key words from today…
Work for you…
• Look over notes from today’s session…
• Make notes on “Factors affecting participation
in a group or team” (pg. 230)
• Make notes on “Group and team effects on
behaviour” (pg. 230) up to Leadership on pg.
231.