Group Dynamics and Relationship with Diversity - Essay Example

Group dynamics and relationship with diversity al Affiliation) Introduction A group is two or more people related to one another by common relationships (Phillips, 2008). These people share values and norms in areas of common interest identify with one another and engage in frequent interactions. In any setting groups form so as to achieve social interaction like coming together for a party, as a result of a particular nee but disbands after the need is met or to achieve the feeling of belonging especially in work places where people who belong in a team have the sense of belonging and acceptance, people also form groups in order to share common interests with each other. This paper focuses on the power that various groups hold in influencing individual decisions. It is common for most people to act out of pressure from groupings in which they are part, for example, there are many cases of people committing mass killings not because these people posses cannibalistic traits, but because they have been trained to believe that other people who don’t belong to their group are sub-human and don’t deserve to live. Types of groups Groups exist in categories based on their structure or their intended purpose. These groups include: Primary groups of people include family and friends who are intimate, share face-to-face interaction and are involved in high interaction and interdependence levels. This category is where attitudes, principles, and orientations are created and sustained (Phillips, 2008). Secondary groups are often large and members are rarely in direct contact. They play an important role in socialization and include membership organizations and trade unions. Planned groups are groups which are formally formed by members or organizations for an intended purpose. Emergent groups are groups formed spontaneously without initial planning. People progressively know each other through interactions. Here people find themselves in a particular place or situation and automatically get to get close through their interaction. Group interdependence and norms The basic feature of groups is that, group members’ outcomes usually depend on their own actions and also on the actions of the other individuals in the group. One member’s feelings, experiments, and actions can be influenced completely or in part by others. Group norms are those shared behaviors and expectations that members of a group expect from each other. Group dynamics This refers to the social activities where people engage with each other and involves influence of personality and behavior on the group process (Forsyth, 2010). Given that psychology involves the study of mind processes and conduct in general, the attention of psychologist s often devotes to problematic issues and behavioral patterns at an individual’s level or at the societal level: discrimination, intergroup violence and conflict…moreover, there are various psychological theories that explain why one person commits atrocities against others. Social identification in group dynamics Human beings are known to be social animals and that their lives are built around conducted groups that constitute their identities. Identities associated with a social group helps individuals to have a coherent image of themselves according to which a basic need to reduce insecurity, particularly about themselves, induces individuals to associate with communal groups. According to the general theory of human behavior based on psychoanalytic theory and existentialism, the principle fear that humans have of their awareness of the inevitable fact of their deaths needs to be forgotten and one of the psychological techniques that serves to reduce anxiety is identifying with a group. This statement suggests that human beings tend to rely on social groupings to reduce levels of fear, anxiety, and stress that come as a result of their day to day activities. It implies that humans look for intimacy and closeness with other people when they are anxious. In the case of combatants in war, it is possible that soldiers will have negative attitudes towards members of the out-group. In extreme cases, which are quite common, the soldiers go as far as torturing prisoners of war and ignoring the international rules of engagement. Group Diversity Diversity is the variation of a subject in question and its relationship with other subjects. In the study of group dynamics diversity cannot be ignored. People that constitute a group have different perspective and ideologies about issues (Brief, 2008) Relationship between group dynamics and diversity Individuals from different race, gender, ethnicity and individuals with similar or different interests may form groups. Members of a group are attracted to that particular group where they feel that their participation is valued and have a sense of security within their groups (Franz, 2012). The absorption of individuals into a group based on their variations in personalities does not guarantee achievement of group goals. Adequate time is given to these individuals to condition themselves with their environment and to each other. Experts have come up various stages to achieve utmost performance. These stages include forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning (Phillips, 2008). The first phase is the initial stage where members get accustomed to each other and identify with the tasks at hand. This stage referred as the dependent stage where individuals tend to seek guidance outside the group members. The storming stage involves member’s criticizing each other based on their different approaches to the task. Members are still confused over roles and responsibilities and they compete for recognition. In the norming stage, members of the group start resolving their differences and begin to get along. Members begin to embrace cohesion and agree on effective strategies to push the group forward. The fourth stage involves a phase where the group members understand the functioning framework of the group and goals of the group. The group is mature and more independent at this stage. The last stage is the adjourning stage where members engage in traditions that include social gatherings show solidarity and celebrate success. One of the major important factors to consider when creating a strong group is cohesiveness. A group that functions as a unit, yields success as compared to groupings that are mired with role disagreements and lacks motivation. The group size is also an important aspect in ensuring active participation of members. Groups have more members tend to deny individuals of attention that they need leading to formation of sub-groups exhibit lack of satisfaction and eventually lead to withdrawal. However, it is normal for individuals from different race, ethnic groups to take time to get along as compared to people from the same race, and ethnic groups. Research indicates that individuals from diverse groups commonly find themselves excluded from networks of information and opportunity. The reasons are varied. First, overt or covert racism, sexism, ageism, or various forms of discrimination may be the cause for marginalization practices. Secondly, economic self-interest can be the motivation for preventing certain individuals or groups from gaining access to power and economic resources. Groups that are most likely to suffer exclusion include women, stereotypes, racial and ethnic minorities. These groups of minorities suffer negative experiences… including feelings of isolation and lack of identification. One of the most frequently reported problems faced by women and minorities in organizational settings is their limited access to or exclusion from informal and yet vital interaction networks…men believe that, in the absence of any definite information to the contrary, the performers gender becomes relevant in making job-related decisions (Brief, 2008). Conclusion Some people would argue that power of individualism overrides that of groupings, it is easy to point fingers on people who commit atrocities yet we ignore the power of influence that surrounds these people. In order to understand the action of these people, we need to study the psychology behind group dynamics and their effects on different individuals. There are cases where innocent people own up to crimes, they did not commit, just because of the tactics employed by interrogators, that makes them feel that the crime committed is justifiable and that any human would have done the same only to realize that they have duped when reality finally dawns on them. In conclusion, group influence does contribute to an individual’s decision, because the psychology behind groupings tends to be the core of decision making in human beings. References Phillips, K. W. (2008). Diversity and groups: Bingley, UK: Emerald/JAI. Forsyth, D. R. (2010), Group dynamics; Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Clements, P. E, & Jones, J. (2008): The diversity training handbook: A practical guide to Understanding & changing attitudes: London: Kogan Page. De, B. S. (2008): Managing cultural diversity. Aachen: Meyer & Meyer. Syed, J, & Özbilgin, M. (2010): Managing cultural diversity in Asia: A research Companion: Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Jackson, S. E, & Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (U.S.): (1992). Diversity in the workplace: Human resources initiatives. New York: Guilford Press OConnell, T. S, & Cuthbertson, B. (2009): Group dynamics in recreation and leisure: Creating conscious groups through an experiential approach: Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Brief, A. P. (2008): Diversity at work: New York: Cambridge University Press. Dimock, H. G., & Devine, I. (1996). Managing dynamic groups: North York, Ont: Captus Press Franz, T. M. (2012). Group dynamics and team interventions: Understanding and Improving team performance; Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Corey, G. (2008). Theory and practice of group counseling: Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole Phillips, K. W. (2008). Diversity and groups: Bingley, UK: Emerald/JAI. Read More