Group Dynamics-Meaning and origin

The mindsets and behavioural tendencies of a group are discussed in group dynamics. It may be used to resolve conflicts, foster cooperation, and help an organization become more efficient and imaginative. Including other sophisticated devices, the idea of group dynamics will provide you access to your capabilities, performance measures, and evaluations.

Defining Group Dynamics

Group dynamics refers to the adaptive alterations that occur in the group organized as a result of alterations in any one of its components. As per Kurt Lewin, “a change in a part brings change throughout the entire system, analogous to the change witnessed in an electrical or magnetic field.” The procedure of interpersonal or intergroup interaction may undergo  corrective modifications.

Interpersonal requirements control interpersonal behaviour. A member’s ability to contribute to the group’s purpose, his desire to do so, and how much he will engage with the other members of the group will all rely on things like his physical appearance, mental prowess, intellect, and temperament.

Intergroup behaviour is the communication of different groups, and it is influenced by things like knowledge and skills, aims, and interconnectedness. Groups are capable of functioning better when they are aware of their roles and the goals that underpin them. The differences in work principles, rules, and protocols all further govern the intergroup connections in every organization. Whereas others may just have administrative positions, other agencies may have operational power.

Thus, in simple terms, it can be stated that the interactions among group members are referred to as group dynamics. Each person’s ideas and emotions, their articulated thoughts and feelings, their nonverbal communication, and the relationships among group members all have an impact on these dynamics. Group dynamics: understanding how each individual’s actions make sense within the framework of the group is made easier by group dynamics.

Group Dynamics Theory:

According to systems theory, human behaviour inside a system is described. Systems theory aids in our understanding of group dynamics since groups are viewed as processes. Group dynamics is a more sophisticated process than just adding up each group member’s unique traits, as understood by the systems approach. Rather, it is ideal to combine each group member’s traits with their activities’ effects on the organization and each member’s effects on the group to understand group dynamics. As a result, a repetitive and reciprocating vicious circle is created, having an effect on all groupmates and their interactions with one another.

Theories as explained by other theorists:

  1. Marvin E. Shaw  defines groups into certain categories that are:
  • People who recognise the validity of a group and its members are said to be in it.
  • A shared motivation or objective serves as the basis for group definition.
  • A group’s structure is present. Members of a group are brought together through their ties with one another.
  • Interaction between group members is what makes a group function.

He concludes that the most widely recognized definition of a group is two or more individuals who are engaged with each other in a way that each individual affects and is impacted by the other individual.

  1. Clovis R. Shepherd defines it as:

There are several factors that determine whether a group of individuals may be referred to as such. A group, in the first place, is a type of interaction that is more durable and closer than a social relationship but less structured than a hierarchical team. Secondly, a group should be both modest enough for participants to have a feeling of group understanding and reciprocal consciousness and broad enough for the development and stabilization of group traits.

  1. Likert defined it as “an organization will function best when its personal functions are not as individuals but as members of highly effective work-groups with high performance goals.”

Characteristics of group dynamics

No matter the size or goal, all groups share the same traits:

  • Two or even more individuals (if it is one person, it is not a group).
  • formal social organization (the rules of the game are defined).
  • Common End (they will swim together).
  • common objectives (the destiny is the same and emotionally connected).
  • Direct communication (they will talk with each other).
  • Mutual reliance (each one is complementary to the other).
  • identity as members of a group (what one is who belongs to the group).
  • acknowledgement from others (yes, you belong to the group).