Group Dynamics of Group Dynamics of Performance.Performance.

Mr. P. LeightonMr. P. Leighton

Sports PsychologySports Psychology

Yr13 Yr13

In today’s session…In today’s session…

• We will look at the ways GROUP We will look at the ways GROUP COHESION can be developed.COHESION can be developed.

• We will observe the impacts of We will observe the impacts of different group dynamics can have on different group dynamics can have on performance and motivation in performance and motivation in pursuit of a healthy, balanced and pursuit of a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle. active lifestyle.

• Key theories and contemporary Key theories and contemporary examples linked to these two areas.examples linked to these two areas.

So what is Group So what is Group Cohesion…Cohesion…

• Which of these could be called a “Group”?.Which of these could be called a “Group”?.• Why?Why?

Answers…Answers…

• A Basketball team, an aerobics session or a PE A Basketball team, an aerobics session or a PE lessons participants constitute a lessons participants constitute a groupgroup..

• A football crowd or people running on A football crowd or people running on treadmills in a gym treadmills in a gym do not constitute a groupdo not constitute a group as as they do not have the they do not have the ability to interact or are ability to interact or are not mutually aware of each other.not mutually aware of each other.

• This is backed up by McGrath (1984) who This is backed up by McGrath (1984) who stated…stated…

““Groups are those social aggregates that Groups are those social aggregates that involve mutual awareness and the potential for involve mutual awareness and the potential for interaction”.interaction”.

Interaction and Interaction and Interdependence…Interdependence…

• McGrath also proposed that groups need McGrath also proposed that groups need to be small enough to allow for to be small enough to allow for interdependence.interdependence.

• InterdependenceInterdependence is a dynamic of being is a dynamic of being mutually mutually and physically responsible to, and physically responsible to, and sharing a common set of principles and sharing a common set of principles with others. with others.

• Carron and Davies (1998) agreed with Carron and Davies (1998) agreed with this and stated that groups should have…this and stated that groups should have…

CollectiveIdentity.

A common goal Shared Purpose

Group Unity

Structured patternsOf communication.

The Group…

Group Performance: Group Performance: Steiner’s Model…Steiner’s Model…

• Actual productivity is the team performance at a given Actual productivity is the team performance at a given time and refers to the extent of successful interaction.time and refers to the extent of successful interaction.

• Potential productivity is the maximum capability of Potential productivity is the maximum capability of the group when cohesiveness appears at its strongest.the group when cohesiveness appears at its strongest.

• Faulty processes means the factors which can go Faulty processes means the factors which can go wrong with team performance. This can detract and wrong with team performance. This can detract and impede cohesion and possibly detract from the impede cohesion and possibly detract from the potential of the team. potential of the team.

Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity – losses due to Actual Productivity = Potential Productivity – losses due to faulty processes.faulty processes.

OR…OR…(AP = PP – FP)(AP = PP – FP)

Co-ordination losses…Co-ordination losses… (The Ringelmann Effect) (The Ringelmann Effect)

• Any breakdown in teamwork is regarded as a co-ordination Any breakdown in teamwork is regarded as a co-ordination loss. loss.

• This occurs because operational effectiveness of the group as This occurs because operational effectiveness of the group as a whole cannot be sustained for the duration of a match.a whole cannot be sustained for the duration of a match.

• Maximilien RingelmannMaximilien Ringelmann (1861-1931) had people alone and in (1861-1931) had people alone and in groups pull on a groups pull on a roperope attached to a attached to a strain gaugestrain gauge to measure to measure the pull the pull forceforce. Surprisingly, the total of the group pulls did . Surprisingly, the total of the group pulls did not equal the sum of the individual pulls - it was less. In not equal the sum of the individual pulls - it was less. In contemporary speak, synergy was not created. contemporary speak, synergy was not created.

Continued…Continued…• Team cohesion is more at risk when numbers Team cohesion is more at risk when numbers

increase…increase…• What is meant by this?What is meant by this?

– 5 a Side/ Basketball team: small numbers5 a Side/ Basketball team: small numbers– Rugby Union: 15 a side: Larger NumbersRugby Union: 15 a side: Larger Numbers

• The Ringlemann Effect along with Social Loafing The Ringlemann Effect along with Social Loafing are the major faulty processes that prevent a are the major faulty processes that prevent a group from becoming a synchronised cohesive group from becoming a synchronised cohesive unit.unit.

Motivation Losses…Motivation Losses… (Social Loafing) (Social Loafing)

• Motivation losses relate to an Motivation losses relate to an individual who suffers a decrease in individual who suffers a decrease in motivation during performance motivation during performance causing the player to withdraw effort causing the player to withdraw effort and “Coast” through a period of and “Coast” through a period of play, e.g. Robinho at Manchester play, e.g. Robinho at Manchester City.City.

Continued…Continued…

• This loss of motivation and subsequent This loss of motivation and subsequent relaxation can prevent team co-ordination relaxation can prevent team co-ordination and inhibit team cohesion. and inhibit team cohesion.

• Robinho example: Roberto Mancini Robinho example: Roberto Mancini stated…stated…““'Does he have a future here? All players 'Does he have a future here? All players try to work hard during the week in try to work hard during the week in training and that is the most important training and that is the most important thing. If he wants a future here, then, yes, thing. If he wants a future here, then, yes, that is what he has to do”.that is what he has to do”.

The causes of Social Loafing, The The causes of Social Loafing, The Ringlemann Effect and Ringlemann Effect and

DYSFUNCTIONAL behaviours…DYSFUNCTIONAL behaviours…• The feeling that others on the team are not trying The feeling that others on the team are not trying

may cause and individual to make less effort.may cause and individual to make less effort.• ““Social Loafing” will arise if a player feels that their Social Loafing” will arise if a player feels that their

performance is not valued or watched by the coach.performance is not valued or watched by the coach.• A player with low self-confidence will develop a A player with low self-confidence will develop a

strategy social loafing to protect their self-esteem.strategy social loafing to protect their self-esteem.• A player who has suffered a negative experience, A player who has suffered a negative experience,

possibly a loss or a failure, may have the tendency possibly a loss or a failure, may have the tendency to “loaf”. to “loaf”.

• A loss of motivation can be linked back to A loss of motivation can be linked back to “Avoidance Behaviours”.“Avoidance Behaviours”.

Task Cohesion and Social Task Cohesion and Social Cohesion…Cohesion…

• Task Cohesion is most Task Cohesion is most important for interactive important for interactive sports such as Hockey.sports such as Hockey.

• Task Cohesion relates to Task Cohesion relates to how members work how members work together or complete a together or complete a task successfully.task successfully.

• Social Cohesion is more Social Cohesion is more important in Co-active important in Co-active sports such as Track sports such as Track and Field or Fitness.and Field or Fitness.

• Social Cohesion is Social Cohesion is concerned with concerned with formation of groups formation of groups which provide support which provide support and friendship.and friendship.

Sub-groups…Sub-groups…

• With larger groups such as a county With larger groups such as a county netball squad there is a possibility netball squad there is a possibility that sub-groups can emerge.that sub-groups can emerge.

• This can impede the development of This can impede the development of a cohesive unit or team. i.e. Man a cohesive unit or team. i.e. Man City Example…City Example…

What effects Team What effects Team Cohesion?Cohesion?

Situational Factors.Situational Factors.• Include elements of a Include elements of a

specific situation and specific situation and environment in which environment in which the team operates e.g. the team operates e.g. the time available, the time available, interactive or co-active, interactive or co-active, tradition of leadership.tradition of leadership.

• Group size is also Group size is also significant as it is more significant as it is more difficult in a large group difficult in a large group than a small to facilitate than a small to facilitate cohesioncohesion

Individual Factors.Individual Factors.• This refers to the This refers to the

characteristics of team characteristics of team members. The motivation members. The motivation level and experience in the level and experience in the activity are also examples activity are also examples i.e. Shaun Long joining Hull i.e. Shaun Long joining Hull FC- what will this mean?FC- what will this mean?

What effects Team What effects Team Cohesion?Cohesion?

Leadership Factors.Leadership Factors.• This involves the style of This involves the style of

leadership preferred by leadership preferred by the group…the group…– AutocraticAutocratic– DemocraticDemocratic– Laissez FaireLaissez Faire

• Leadership styles are Leadership styles are determined by…determined by…– TaskTask– Position of the LeaderPosition of the Leader– Relationships between Relationships between

all participants.all participants.

Team Factors.Team Factors.• Team factors include Team factors include

– collective team goals: collective team goals: what do they want as a what do they want as a group?group?

– Good Communication: Is Good Communication: Is there a barrier to there a barrier to communication? communication? Foreigners/ Sub-groups?Foreigners/ Sub-groups?

– Record of shared success: Record of shared success: Arsenal “Invincibles”/ Arsenal “Invincibles”/ Leeds Rhinos?Leeds Rhinos?

Key words from today…Key words from today…

Work for you…Work for you…

• Look over notes from today’s Look over notes from today’s session…session…

• Make notes on “Factors affecting Make notes on “Factors affecting participation in a group or team” participation in a group or team” (pg. 230)(pg. 230)

• Make notes on “Group and team Make notes on “Group and team effects on behaviour” (pg. 230) up to effects on behaviour” (pg. 230) up to Leadership on pg. 231.Leadership on pg. 231.