Interpersonal Relations and

Group Dynamics
Groups

Two or more individuals interacting and

interdependent, who have come
together to achieve particular
objectives.
 What is Group!!
TWO or more
people

Shared Goals
GROUP

People see
themselves as
members

There is interaction
among members
 Types of Group
 Primary and secondary groups
Formal and Informal groups
Interest and Friendship groups
Temporary and permanent group
 Membership group and Reference group
 Why do people join groups
Personal Attraction
Group Goals
Status and self esteem
Group Activities
Social affiliation
Power
 Group Behaviour

Group behavior" refers to the ways people

behave in large- or small-group
situations
 Determinants of Group Behaviour
1. External Factors
2. Group Members Resources
• Abilities of Members
• Personality Characteristics
3. Group Structure
• Group size
• Leadership
• Role and
• Group Norms
4. Group cohesiveness

5. Group Status
Five stage model of Group Development

FORMING

STORMING

NORMING
PERFORMING

ADJOURNING
 Theories of group formation
• 1. Propinquity Theory:
individuals affiliate with one another because of
spatial or geographical proximity
In an organization employees who work in the
same area of the plant or office or managers
with offices close to one another would more
probably form into groups than would those
who are not physically located together
2. Homan’s Theory:
According to George C. Homans, “The more
activities persons share, the more numerous will
be there interactions and the stronger will be
their shared activities and sentiments, and the
more sentiments people have for one another,
the more will be their shared activities and
interactions.”
3. Balance Theory:
Persons are attracted to one another on the basis of
similar attitudes towards commonly relevant
objects and goals.
Once a relationship is formed, it strives to maintain a
symmetrical balance between the attraction and
the common attitudes. If an imbalance occurs,
attempts are made to restore the balance. If the
balance cannot be restored, the relationship
dissolves.”
4. Exchange Theory:
This theory is based on reward-cost outcomes of
interactions. To be attracted towards a group, a
person thinks in terms of what he will get in
exchange of interaction with group members
 Group dynamics
• The social process by which people interact
face-to-face in groups is called group
dynamics.-
• Group dynamics involves the influence of
personality, power, and behaviour on the
group process.- It helps groups to work
effectively.
 Importance of Group Dynamics
• 1. The group can influence the thinking of its
members. The members are always influenced by the
interactions of other members in the group.
• 2. A group with a good leader performs better as
compared to a group with weak leader.
• 3. The group can give the effect of synergy, that is, if
the group consists of positive thinkers then its output
is more than the double every time.
• Group dynamism can give job satisfaction to the
members.
• 5. The group can also bring team spirit among
the members.
• 6. Even the attitude, perceptions, and ideas of
members depend on group dynamism. For
example, the negative thinkers can be converted
to positive thinkers with the help of the
facilitator.
• 7. If the group works as a cohesive group, the
cooperation and convergence can result in
maximiza­tion of productivity.
 Managing teams
Work Teams
Team consists of employees from diverse
managerial and professional backgrounds working
for a specific period of time on certain projects.
According to Stephen Robbins a work team is a
collection of people whose individual efforts
result in a level of performance which is greater
than the sum of their individual contributions.
 Need of work teams( why work teams)

• To achieve organizational goals

• To increase morale and productivity
• To enhance performance
• To ensure efficiency
• To build unity
• To set organizational goals
• To identify weakness
 Types of work teams
• Functional Work Teams
• Cross-Functional Work Teams
• Self-Directed Work Teams
• Virtual Teams
 Characteristics of effective teams
• Clear Purpose
• Informality
• Participation
• Listening
• Consensus decision
• Open Communication
• Clear roles and work assignment
• Shared Leadership
• External Relations
 Groups Vs. Teams
Groups Teams

Goals Goals may be discussed in

general terms.
Clear, elevating goals drive all
aspects of team accomplishment.

Roles and Roles and responsibilities

may be discussed but are
Roles and responsibilities are
clearly developed and discussed.
Responsibilities not always explicitly defined
or developed .
Rules Rules are not formally
developed and evolve
Rules and operating procedures
are clearly discussed and
developed to help team work
according the group’s needs together.

Methods Group members interact,

and work is usually divided.
Team members collaborate and
coordinate efforts. Team
members work together
interdependently.