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Psychology: Group Processes: The Nature of Group and Stages in Group Formation

The Nature of Group

Interaction with two more persons lead to formation of group. The reasons why people form group are multiple in numbers. At the physical level, any collectivity with a purpose can be called a group. Persons possessing certain common characteristics, too, are conceived to form a group. Thus, it may be said that a group comprises of two or more persons who interact and share common goals. They have stable relationship and are interdependent and perceive themselves as belonging to this collectivity.

The most important characteristic of a group is interdependence. It may be related to behaviours and outcomes tasks. The interdependence are of three types:

  • The interdependence of behavior
  • The interdependence of outcome
  • Task interdependence

How Groups Operate

Whenever a group is organized or formed it functions on the basis of certain norms. The group perform different roles.

  • Roles: In any group different members perform different groups.
  • Norms: each group works according to its own rules. The rules form the norms.
  • Status: The different roles carry specific rank or standing.

The Nature of Group Processes

Reason for Joining Group

People often join a group primarily for the reason that it enables them to receive certain benefits or need satisfaction. They often extend opportunity to achieve certain desired goals. A group can be helpful to individual in at least four ways:

  • People join groups in order to achieve goals which they may not be able to attain by their own efforts.
  • Another reason of joining group is that some of group members can have resources which may become useful to the individual.
  • Another reason for joining the group is feeling of security.
  • Joining one group also adds to social identity to its member. .

Outcomes of Group Experiences: Cohesiveness

A sense of satisfaction leads to cohesiveness in the group. A cohesive group has a higher level of solidarity and consensus.

Stages in Group Formation

The formation of group follows four stages. These are:

Illustration: Stages in Group Formation
  • Orientation: At this stage people judge about their potentialities and the goals of the group. They become more concerned about their benefits or losses while joining a particular group.
  • Focus: When an individual decides that it is in their interest to form a group to achieve a specific goal, their focus gets centered on the means (or how) to achieve the goal.
  • Regulation: The roles and functions of each member are clearly defined. It is at this stage that one member becomes the leader of the group and starts playing a decisive role in shaping the activities of the group.
  • Formalization: During this phase, the norms and roles that emerge during the third stage become formalized.

Types of Group

There are generally of two groups.

  • Primary group: Primary groups are characterized by more or less continued, intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation. The most important example of primary group is the family, where one can observe close, face-to-face interaction in family.
  • Secondary group: Secondary groups are special interest groups.

Effects of Groups on Individual Behavior

  • Decision making: The group as a whole takes greater risk than the individual. This phenomenon is popularly known as risky shift.
  • Social Facilitation: Social facilitation refers to the influence of the presence of other persons on one՚s performance.