Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Module I: Group formation
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Definition and Characteristics
A collection of two or more interacting individuals who
maintain stable patterns of relationships , share common
goals, and perceive themselves as being a group.
• A Group exists is an organization, its members –
• Are motivated to join.
• Perceive the group as a unified unit of interacting people.
• Contribute in various amounts to the group processes (that is
some people contribute more time or energy to the group than
do others).
• Reach agreements and have disagreements through various
forms of interaction.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Characteristics –
1. Share common identity
2. Have common goals and objectives
3. Share common leadership
4. Share successes and failures
5. Cooperate and collaborate
6. Have membership roles
7. Make decision effectively
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Difference between Group and Team -
A group is not necessarily a team. A group can have
individuals with varied interests, attitude as well
as thought processes. It is not necessary that the
group members would have a common objective or
a common goal to achieve.
A team must have individuals with a common
objective to achieve. They should all work
together and strive towards the achievement of a
common goal.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Difference between Group and Team -
Group Team
Strong, clearly focused leader Shared Leadership Roles
Individual accountability Individual and mutual accountability
Individual work products Collective Work Products
Leader runs efficient meetings that report Leader encourages open-ended
progress discussion and active problem-solving
meetings
Discusses, decides and delegates Does real work together
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Classification of groups
A formal group is created within an organization to
complete a specific role or task. This may be to
oversea a launch of a particular product or service.
Informal groups are established by individuals within
the organization that a need to interact with one
another and who also believe that these informal
groups meet a need that formal groups.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Classification of groups
A formal Group (Command Group) It is composed of
the individuals who report directly to a given manager.
A formal Group (Task Group) It is usually formed to
solve a problem. It is comprised of the employees who
work together to complete a particular task.
Informal Group (Interest Group) People working
together to attain a specific objective with which each is
concerned.
Informal Group (Friendship group) People brought
together because they share one or more common
characteristics.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Five Stages of Group Formation
• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing
• Adjourning
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Forming
• This is the initial stage when the group comes together
and members begin to develop their relationship with
one another and learn what is expected of them.
• When team building begins and trust starts to develop.
• Group members will start establishing limits on
acceptable behavior through experimentation. Other
members’ reactions will determine if a behavior will be
repeated.
• This is also the time when the tasks of the group and the
members will be decided.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Forming…contd…
• Group members look to the leader for direction.
• Members have a desire for acceptance by the
group and fitting in.
• Members are sizing each other up – checking
out personalities and talents of other members.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Storming
• This stage is characterized by tension, competition, and
conflict among group members.
• Questions arise about who is responsible for what and
what the rules are.
• Some members may remain silent while others attempt
to dominate.
• Some members question authority and competency of
the group leader
• The group leader has to raise the conflict issue and deal
with it.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
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Norming
• Leadership is shared and cliques dissolved.
• Conflicts are resolved and there is a stronger
sense of belonging to the group.
• Creativity is high.
• People know where they fit in and what is
expected of them.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
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Performing
• Now the group is in high gear and highly
productive. The need for group approval is
past.
• Group members can now focus on the task
and care for other members of the group.
• Group identity is complete, group morale is
high, and group loyalty is intense.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Adjourning Stage
• Teams assembled for specific project or for a finite
length of time go through a fifth stage, called
adjourning , when the team breaks up. A planned
conclusion usually includes recognition for participation
and achievement and an opportunity for members to say
personal goodbyes.
• Disbanding a team can create some apprehension, and
not all team members handle this well. The termination
of the team is a regressive movement from giving up
control to the team to giving up inclusion in the team.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Adjourning Stage
Disbanding a team can create some
apprehension, and not all team members
handle this well. The termination of the team is
a regressive movement from giving up control
to the team to giving up inclusion in the team.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Importance / benefits of group
1. Greater output
Simply because of the number of people involved, each
with differing experience, knowledge, points of view and
values, a larger number and variety of ideas for solving a
problem can be produced.
2. Cross fertilization
The exchange of ideas can act as a stimulus to the
imagination, encouraging individuals to explore ideas they
would not otherwise consider.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Importance / benefits of group
3. Reduced bias
The shared responsibility of a group in arriving at decisions
can encourage individuals to explore seemingly unrealistic
ideas and to challenge accepted ways of doing things.
Individual biases and prejudices can be challenged by
the ,group, forcing the individual to recognize them. Group
pressure can also encourage individuals to accept that
change is needed.
4. Increased risk taking
Shared responsibility makes individuals more willing to take
risks. The discussion of different points of view also helps
the group to be more realistic in assessing the risks
associated with particular courses of action.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Importance / benefits of group
5. Higher commitment
When goals are agreed it gives a common purpose to the
group, within which individuals can gain a feeling of self-
determination and recognition through their contribution.
Individuals who have contributed to finding a solution feel a
greater commitment to its successful implementation.
6. Improved communication
When .people who are affected by a problem or who will be
involved in implementation are involved in finding a
solution, they will know how and why that particular
solution was chosen. Also, people with knowledge relevant
to the problem can communicate that knowledge directly if
they participate in solving the problem.
Amity Institute of Behavioural and
Allied Sciences
Importance / benefits of group
7. Better solutions
Groups of individuals can bring a broad range of ideas,
knowledge and skills to bear on a problem. This creates a
stimulating interaction of diverse ideas which results in a
wider range and better quality of solutions.