NSTP – 1 Module 5

Fundamentals of
Group Dynamics
NELDA JIMENEA GARCIA, Ph.D.
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
 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 interacion. This implies that each member of a
group is aware of the other members and their
influence.
• Group is a collection of individuals who find their
association with one another rewarding.
• Group exists only when the individual members have
developed status and role relationships with respect to
one another.
 GROUP

• 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

• Group Dynamics is the social process by which

people interact in a small group and in a face-to-
face manner.
• Dynamics comes from the Greek word dunamis
which means “force”.
• Group Dynamics refers to the study of the forces
operating within a group.
FORCES FOUND IN SMALL GROUPS
Two important historical landmarks in understanding
small groups:
1. The research of Elton Mayo and his associates in the
1920s and 1930s. Workers tend to establish formal
groups that affect job satisfaction and effectiveness.
2. The experiments conducted in the 1930s by Kurt
Lewin, the founder of the group dynamics
movement. Different kinds of leadership attitudes
produce different responses in groups.
FORCES FOUND IN SMALL GROUPS
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 a mere collection of individuals but an
aggregate of personalities acting and interacting with
one another in the process of living.
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.”
 Concepts of Social Group
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,
however, in the world of group dynamics, 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)
 Special Properties of Groups

Formal Informal
Formal Informal
Group types are classified as

in nature.
Formal work groups are established by an organization to
achieve its goal.
 Types of Groups

1. Primary Group is characterized by intimated 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)
 Types of Groups

2. Secondary Group consists of members who are

aware and cognizant of personal relationships, but 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)
Types of Groups
Types of Groups
Types of Groups
 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.
 Characteristics of a Group

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

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.
 Kinds of Formal Groups

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.

Example: Ad hoc committees, project groups, standing

committees.
 Kinds of Formal Groups

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
 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.
 Kinds of Informal Groups

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.

Example: Students who have an exercise group or who

meet for a so-called jamming.
 Kinds of Informal Groups

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
• 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 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 be imposed and followed for the
smooth existence of any group.
Thank you for listening