GROUP DYNAMICS

Presented by:
Harsh Rastogi,
M.Sc. Nursing 2nd year,
K.G.M.U. College of Nursing,
King George’s Medical University,
Lucknow.
 INTRODUCTION
• Dynamic=Force

• It refers to the forces operating in the group.

• Its concerned with dynamic interaction of

individuals in face to face relationships.

• As a leader understanding the group

dynamic is essential in order to both
compose & guide the individuals within a
group for the purpose of successfully &
efficiently completing an assignment.
 DEFINITION
• It is the social process by which people
interact face to face in small groups.

• A branch of social psychology which studies

problems involving the structure of a group.

• It’s an interaction that influence the

attitudes & behavior of people when they are
grouped with others through either choice or
accidental circumstances.
 OBJECTIVES
• Identify & analyze the social processes
that impact on group development &
performance.

• Acquire the skills necessary to intervene

& improve individual & group
performance in an organizational
context.

• Build more successful organization by

applying techniques by that provides
positive impact on goal achievement.
 PRINCIPLES
• The members of the group must have a
strong sense of belonging to the group.

• Changes in one part of the group may

produce stress in other person, which can be
reduced only by eliminating or allowing the
change by bringing about readjustment in
the related parts.

• The group arises in functions owing to

common motives.

• Group survives by placing the members into

functional hierarchy & facilitating the
actions towards the goals.
 Cont…
• The intergroup relations, group organization &
member participation are essential for
effectiveness of a group.
• Information relating to need for change, plan for
change & consequences of changes must be
shared by members of a group.
 CURATIVE FACTORS OF GROUP
DYNAMICS
• Yalom (1985) identified 11 curative factors
that individuals can achieve through
interpersonal interactions within a group.

1. Instillation of hope
2. Universality
3. The imparting of information
4. Altruism
5. Development of socializing techniques
6. Imitative behavior
 Cont…
7. Interpersonal
learning
8. Group
cohesiveness
9. Catharsis
10. Existential
factors
 ELEMENTS
Communication
Content vs. process
Decision
Influence
Task vs. relationship
 GROUP DEVELOPMENT
• There are several theories as to why
groups develops.

A classic theory
Social exchange theory
Social identity theory
 1. A CLASSIC THEORY
• Developed by George Homans, suggests
that groups develop based on activities
interactions, and sentiments.

• Basically, the theory means that when

individuals share common activities, they
will have more interaction and will
develop attitudes (positive or negative)
toward each other.

• The major clement in this theory is the

interaction of the individuals involved.
 2. SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY
• Offers an alternative explanation for group
development.

• According to this theory individuals form

relationships based on the implicit
expectation of mutually beneficial exchanges
based on trust and felt obligation.

• Thus, a perception that exchange

relationships will be positive is essential if
individuals are to be attracted to and affiliate
with a group.
 3. SOCIAL IDENTITY THEORY
• Offers another explanation for group formation.

• Simply put, this theory suggests that individuals

get a sense of identity and self-esteem based
upon their membership in salient groups.

• The nature of the group may be demographically

based, culturally based, or organizationally
based.

• Individuals are motivated to belong to and

contribute to identity groups because of the
sense of belongingness and self-worth
membership in the group imparts.
 Cont…
• According to Tuckman's theory, there are
five stages of group development: forming,
storming, norming, performing, and
adjourning.

• During these stages group members must

address several issues and the way in which
these issues are resolved determines
whether the group will succeed in
accomplishing its tasks.
 1. Forming
• This stage is usually characterized by some
confusion and uncertainty.

• The major goals of the group have not been

established. The nature of the task or
leadership of the group has not been
determined (Luthans, 2005).

• Thus, forming is an orientation period when

members get to know one another and share
expectations about the group.

• Members lean the purpose of the group as

well as the rules to be followed.
 Forming cont…
• The forming stage should not be rushed because
trust and openness must be developed.
• These feelings strengthen in later stages of
development.
• Individuals are often confused during this stage
because roles are not clear and there may not be
a strong leader.
 2. Storming
• In this stage, the group is likely to see
then highest level of disagreement and
conflict.

• Members often challenge group goals and

struggle for power.

• Individuals often vie for the leadership

position during this stage of
development.
 Storming cont…
• This can be a positive experience for all groups if
members can achieve
cohesiveness through resolution.
• Members often voice concern and criticism in
this phase.
• If members are not able to resolve the conflict,
then the group will often disband or continue in
existence but will remain ineffective and never
advance to the other stages.
 3. Norming
• This stage is characterized by the recognition
of individual differences and shared
expectations.

• Hopefully, at this stage the group members

will begin to develop a feeling of group
cohesion and identity, cooperative effort
should begin to yield results.

• Responsibilities are divided among members

and the group decides how it will evaluate
progress.
 4. Performing
• Performing, occurs when the group has
matured and attains a feeling of
cohesiveness.

• During this stage of development,

individuals accept one another and conflict
is resolved through group discussion.

• Members of the group make decisions

through a rational process that is focused on
relevant goals rather than emotional issues.
 5. Adjourning
• Not all groups experience this stage of
development because it is characterized by the
disbandment of the group.

• Some groups are relatively permanent (Luthans,

2005). Reasons that groups disband vary with
common reasons being the accomplishment of
the task or individuals deciding to go their own
ways.

• Members of the group often experience feelings

of closure and sadness as they prepare to leave.
THE ROLE OF THE GROUP LEADER
• A person who is not in a position of
authority, who is outranked and is new to
the organization can still be a leader.

• Managing or Leading - refers to a

person's ability to successfully lead a
group of people.

• Organizations have realized that more

leading characteristics are needed to be
more competitive in the work world.
 Cont…
• Success of an organization or the individual
person (nurse) can be examined and fostered
through mentoring other nurses in reaching a
professional or personal goal (i.e. furthering
their education or obtaining certifications in
specialized procedures or areas of nursing), in
attaining a leadership role (i.e. charge nurse or
supervisor) or being rewarded in performance
(recognition or raises)
 Cont…
• The nurse leader provides an atmosphere that
allows open communication members.

• What are the characteristics that may affect

attitudes and behaviors of the group members?

• Group size, gender composition, race, ethnicity

and age among group.

• Cohesion - refers to the degree of attraction and

motivation to stay in the group.

• Commitment - refers to a person's feelings and

how they identify and are attached to the group's
goals or activities.
ROLE OF NURSE MANAGER IN GROUP
DYNAMICS
• Knowledge of group dynamics is needed
by nurse managers to improve leadership
competencies and facilitates group
discussions and communication.

• Groups are a common feature of a

majority of experiences of all nurses in
such roles are outcome management,
team co-ordination and teaching of
students, patients and families.
 Cont…
• The nurse leader provides an atmosphere that
allows open communication members.

• What are the characteristics that may affect

attitudes and behaviors of the group members?

• Group size, gender composition, race, ethnicity

and age among group.

• Cohesion - refers to the degree of attraction and

motivation to stay in the group.

• Commitment - refers to a person's feelings and

how they identify and are attached to the group's
goals or activities.
 Cont…
• The nurse manager usually has following
role in group dynamics:
Supervise and manage the overall
performance of staff in department.
Analyzing, reporting, giving recommendations
and developing strategies on how to improve
quality and quantity of nursing care.
Achieve business and organization goals,
visions and objectives.
Involved in employee selection, career
development, succession planning and
periodic training.
 Cont…
Working out compensations & rewards.

Responsible for the growth & increase in

the organizations’ finance & earning.

Identifying problems, creating choice &

providing alternative courses of actions.
 CONCLUSION
• Group dynamics refers to the understanding of
the behaviors of people in groups, such as task
groups, that are trying to solve a problem or
make a decision.
• Group norms are followed & collective pressure
is exerted to ensure the effectiveness of the
group.
• The group provides a measure of support &
reassurance. Moreover, as a group, learners may
also learn collectively for change action
Any questions???
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Basvantthappa B.T.
1.

Nursing
Administration.1st
Edition. New Delhi:
Jaypee Brothers; 2000.
2. Rebecca Samson.
Leadership &
management in nursing
practice & education.
Jaypee Publication. New
Delhi. Page No. 50-55.
3.IGNOU. Nursing
Administration &
management Vol. 4.
Page no. 47-50.