Evolutionary Psychology of Group Dynamics

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the advantages of teams compared to individuals working alone?

Teams require less coordination.

Teams have lower emotional support for members.

Teams generally make better decisions. (correct)

Teams are faster at completing all tasks.

In what type of work are teams usually more effective than individuals?

Individual performances without the need for feedback.

Complex tasks requiring diverse skills. (correct)

Simple tasks that require minimal cooperation.

High-stake negotiations.

How do informal groups contribute to employee well-being?

They minimize stress by providing social support. (correct)

They enforce strict performance evaluations.

They limit communication within the workplace.

They create competition among employees.

Which statement is true about teams in terms of customer service?

Teams often provide superior customer service. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of team structures?

Team members may not communicate effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Why might individual work sometimes be more effective than teamwork?

When work can be done independently without shared knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates employees to work harder in a team environment?

A sense of fear over comparison with peers. Signup and view all the answers

When is it inappropriate to use a team structure?

When the work requires minimal coordination. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of pooled interdependence in a team setting?

Team members working independently but sharing a common resource. Signup and view all the answers

What type of interdependence is characterized by each member's output becoming the input for the next member?

Sequential interdependence Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interdependence produces the highest degree of interaction among team members?

Reciprocal interdependence Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is believed to improve team effectiveness in virtual teams?

Communication systems and technologies Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT important in the design of high-performance teams?

Uniformity in task execution Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary disadvantage of high pooled interdependence?

Less interaction with individuals outside the team Signup and view all the answers

Which element is essential for leaders to provide in order to support high-performance teams?

Strategic direction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a situation where team members work on independent tasks and share materials?

Pooled interdependence Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key factors for effective teamwork among employees?

Willingness to work in a team environment Signup and view all the answers

According to observations, what is the often suggested optimal team size?

Between 5 and 7 members Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the 'five C’s' of effective team members?

Competing Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge that teams face as tasks become more complex?

Possibly requiring more than 100 members Signup and view all the answers

How can supervision be utilized in a team environment?

As a buffer to reduce interdependence Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consideration when determining team size?

Ensuring sufficient competencies and perspectives Signup and view all the answers

Which two behaviors primarily assist with team maintenance according to the five C's?

Communicating and comforting Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of having a balanced team size according to team management?

To have enough people to complete necessary tasks without chaos Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary reason people are motivated to bond within informal groups?

To fulfill a hardwired need to belong Signup and view all the answers

How does social identity theory explain group affiliation?

Individuals derive their self-concept from group memberships Signup and view all the answers

Why might employees form an informal group in a workplace?

To collectively oppose organizational changes Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of being part of an informal group during stressful situations?

Gaining a sense of comfort and support Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects why people might invest time in forming social relationships?

They gain satisfaction from genuine connections without ulterior motives Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a reason for individuals to join informal groups?

To maintain solitary working habits Signup and view all the answers

Which factor significantly influences an individual's decision to join a group?

The favorability of the group in societal views Signup and view all the answers

What motivates the formation of informal groups, according to the content?

The collective power and support they provide Signup and view all the answers

What does developing team identity involve?

Recognizing the team as part of one's social identity Signup and view all the answers

In what way does team diversity affect cohesion?

Diversity undermines cohesion, depending on its type Signup and view all the answers

How does team size influence cohesion?

Smaller teams generally have more cohesion Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of teams with high cohesion?

Frequent and effective conflict resolution Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is crucial for the development of team competence?

Shifting to highly interdependent tasks Signup and view all the answers

What typically enhances team learning?

Forming shared or complementary mental models Signup and view all the answers

What effect does member interaction frequency have on team cohesion?

Teams with regular interaction usually display more cohesion Signup and view all the answers

What happens to smaller teams lacking enough members?

They struggle to perform required tasks Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drive to Bond

Humans have an innate desire to belong to informal groups, as rooted in evolutionary development.
Social relationships are formed and maintained without ulterior motives, indicating a basic need for connection.
Social identity theory explains that individuals derive self-concept from group affiliations, leading to the pursuit of favorable groups.
Informal groups can accomplish goals unattainable by individuals, such as collective opposition to organizational changes.
Group dynamics provide emotional and informational support, alleviating stress and enhancing employee well-being.

Challenges of Teams

Despite their advantages, teams may lack effectiveness compared to individuals in simpler tasks.
Teams excel in complex work, benefiting from diverse knowledge and skills when tasks can be specialized.
Teams foster better decision-making, product development, and workforce engagement compared to solitary work environments.

Interdependence in Teams

Pooled interdependence involves sharing resources among team members with independent tasks, requiring minimal interaction.
Sequential interdependence exists when one person's output serves as the input for another, commonly seen in assembly lines.
Reciprocal interdependence is the most complex form, where work output circulates among individuals, demanding high levels of coordination.

Team Design Elements

Effective teams require careful consideration of task characteristics, team size, composition, and roles.
Team tasks should leverage members' skills and encourage autonomy and self-leadership.
Effective team members embody the "five C’s": cooperating, coordinating, communicating, comforting, and conflict resolving.

Team Size Considerations

Optimum team size is debated, with recommendations ranging from five to seven members for efficient coordination. However, larger teams may be needed for highly complex tasks.
Teams should be adequately sized to provide necessary competencies while ensuring meaningful involvement and efficient coordination.

Team Development

Cohesion is critical for effective teamwork; smaller teams often achieve higher cohesion, while diversity can impact it positively or negatively based on context.
Transition from viewing the team as "them" to "us" fosters a stronger team identity.
Shared understanding of resources, goals, and responsibilities enhances team competence and efficiency.
High-cohesion teams exhibit better cooperation and norm adherence, outperforming low-cohesion teams.

Conflict Resolution in Teams

Teams with high cohesion typically resolve conflicts quickly and effectively, promoting cooperation and reduced stress.

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Description

Explore the evolutionary development of the human need to belong and form informal groups. This quiz discusses the psychological principles behind social bonding and teamwork, highlighting the importance of these connections in our lives.