Psychology of the group

Psychology of the group - meaning and characteristics,
Group Dynamics and Group cohesion, Social relationship in the class room, sociometry

1. Psychology of the Group Suresh Babu G Assistant Professor CTE, CPAS, Paippad , Kottayam

2. Concept - The Group A group is a social unit of individuals, who possess common relationship with regard to a set of values and specific goals ascribed to the unit. According to Mc David , a group is an organized system of two or more individuals who are related to one another so that it performs some functions, it has a standard of role relationship and has a set of norms that regulate the functions of a group. William considers a social group as a given aggregate of people playing inter-related roles and recognized by themselves or others as a unit of interaction

3. Concept of Psychological Group A psychological group has been defined as two or more people who bear an explicit psychological relationship to one another. A psychological group is different from a class of people or an aggregate collection of the members of a society as that is called a group simply because the individuals are in close proximity.

4. Characteristics of a Psychological Group It is a collection of two or more individuals. It lasts for a reasonable period of time. It has a definite structure consisting of values, goals and role assignments. It has its own standard and norms of behaviour . It performs some specific functions. It provides motivation and satisfaction of needs of the members. It has its goals and objectives. There is some interaction among group members. There is a feeling of belongingness in the members of the group. The members of a group are interdependent.

5. Functions of a Psychological Group Striving for achievement of specific goals. Strengthening of attachment among its members. C larification of common problems. Developing a procedural plan. Providing expert guidance. Arbitration of dispute and evaluation of the quality of work

6. Kinds of Groups Groups are variously classified by different authors. Sumner’s Classification In-group (We-group) – It is the group with which we identify ourselves. Eg : a group with in a classroom or school. Out-group (Other-group) – It is a group in which the members are considered as outsiders by us. Eg : A group formed with students outside the classroom who is in another school.

7. 2. Cooley’s Classification Primary group : It is a group where there is intimate face to face relationship and direct co-operation among the members. There is a strong we feeling among its members. Eg : Family, Play group. Secondary group : Here the relationships are more or less casual. It is larger in size and the relationship will not be strong and permanent, but are usually marked by a single bond of interest. Eg : Trade Unions, Professional Organization.

8. (C) Tertiary group : This type of groups, the degree of intimacy or relationship is quite marginal and temporary in character. Eg : The audience in a cinema hall, passengers in a bus. 3. Organized Vs Spontaneous Groups Organized Groups : They are found as a result of careful planning and exist for some specific purpose. Eg : The school, the army etc Spontaneous Groups : They are groups are the individuals belonging to it come together naturally without any previous planning or specific purpose. Eg : After listening to a speech audience may form spontaneous groups. audience

9. 4. Formal Vs Informal Groups Formal Groups : This type is formed on the basis of specific norms, rules and values. Eg : The School, military forces, etc Informal Groups : In this type of groups the members are not bound by any specific rules or codes of conduct. They may enjoy liberty. Eg : Play groups , recreational group etc Groups that fall in between the formal and informal groups are called semiformal groups. Eg : Lodges, temples etc

10. Common types of Groups Face to Face Group – This is a type of group in which members meet at a given time and place. There is a direct interaction among the members of the group. The class teaching may be treated under this category. The Hang Over Group - This type of group refers to an intimacy, which was previously shared by a member. Family comes under hang over group. Abstract Groups – It refers to the abstract group characteristic of certain actions. A vague idea of belongingness in time and space develops in the mind of the individual such as nation, public opinion etc

11. Group Dynamics Etymological meaning : Dynamics is derived from a Greek word meaning force . Hence group dynamics stands for the force operating in a group. Kurt Lewin coined the term group dynamics to describe the way groups and individuals act and react to changing circumstances. According to Le Bon , group dynamics is the branch of social psychology which deals with interplay of forces within a group and the consequent change of behaviour of members of the group.

12. Process of Group Dynamics Forming – It is the initial stage when a number of individuals come together, get to know one another, and share expectations about group. Here consideration given to hierarchical structure of group, pattern of leadership, individuals roles and responsibilities and codes of conduct. Storming – Here the members of the group will put forward their views more openly and forcefully. A clear structure and goals will be established.

13. Norming – Here responsibilities are divided among members and the group decides how it will evaluate the progress. Action plan become to emerge. Performing –The group is focused on its tasks, working effectively to accomplish its goals. Adjourning – After achieving the objectives for which it was created, starts to gradually dissolve itself.

14. Factors Affecting Group Dynamics Sympathy Suggestion Imitation Group goals Cohesiveness – Group loyalty

15. Importance of Group Dynamics in Learning Helps teachers to select appropriate teaching-learning strategies in the classroom. Teachers can adopt the principles of group dynamics to motivate students to participate in learning activities. Higher objectives of teaching can be attained by utilizing group dynamics factors like sympathy and suggestion. Help teachers to adopt appropriate reinforcement.

16. It helps teacher to provide appropriate guidance to students for their interpersonal adjustment. To improve emotional and social climate of the class. Effective utilization in the classroom to maintain discipline in democratic manner. Group dynamic techniques such as mass recitation , role playing, demonization, etc can be used in classroom to improve learning. Knowledge of group dynamics will help the teacher to remove conflicts and stresses in the classroom.

17. Group Cohesion The word cohesion means attachment. In the social psychology, the term group cohesion refers to the processes that keep members of a group connected. It is a tendency among the members of a group to remain united. According to Lewin , group cohesion is the willingness of individuals to stick together.

18. Group Cohesiveness The degree to which the members of a group wish to remain in the group is called group cohesiveness. Wintz defines group cohesiveness as the degree of the total attraction of all the individual members to the group.

19. Factors Influencing Group Cohesiveness Common goals. Social distance –as the distance at which members of a particular group try to hold another group and its members. Group participation. Democratic procedures. Intensity of competition. Common treat. Group size – smaller groups are more cohesive. Group association. Stability of group Similarity Satisfaction

20. Peer Group Peer group is a collection of persons almost of the same age. Characteristics Influence the personality of the child Social cohesion is very great No distinction of caste Colour or creed Develops leadership and loyalty

21. Importance of Group Cohesion To improve group performance and productivity. For attaining group goal. More successful in problem solving, overcoming difficulties and surviving for long time. For the stability of groups. Promote communication.

22. Characteristics of School as a Social Group All children have a common goal. School has an organized structure. The students and the teachers are motivated for the achievement of the common goal. School, as a group, has a leader – Headmaster. School offers excellent opportunities for group dynamics.

23. Characteristics of class as a Group Have common goal. Have organized structure. The members of class are motivated for achievement. Has a leader.

24. Importance of Classroom as a Group To improve the behaviour of students. To develop mental processes. To develop the feeling of self-sacrifice. To prepare for future social life. To excite sympathy. To develop quality of leadership. To acquire more knowledge. To develop the feeling of co-operation.

25. Assessment of Social Group ( Sociometry ) Sociometry is a technique of as assessing the social relationships among members in a group through the measurement of frequency of acceptance or nonacceptance between the individuals who constitute the group. It is developed by Mereno and Jennings in 1946. Jacob Moreno defined sociometry as "the inquiry into the evolution and organization of groups and the position of individuals within them”.

26. Different Sociometric Techniques Sociogram Socimetric Matrices Guess-Who Technique Social Distance scale

27. SOCIOMETRY TEST The basic technique in sociometry is the sociometric test . This is a test under which each member of a group is asked to choose from all other members those whom he prefers to associate in a specific situation . The situation must be real one to the group under study 

28. Soicometric Questionnaire It is a questionnaire for finding the preference of the students who he what to be in group. It contains with one or more questions. Eg : Name three friends from your class with which whom you like to play?

29. Sociometic Metrics A matrix is a rectangular array (arrangement ) of numbers of other symbols , sociometric is a square matrix. Eg : A group of 7 members respond to a sociometric questions Name three friends from your class with which whom you like to play?  

30. Students response Students A B C D E F A 1 1 1 B 1 1 C 1 1 1 D 1 1 1 E 1 1 1 F 1 1 1 TOTAL 1 3 4 4 5 Question : Name three friends from your class with which whom you like to play? Sociometic Metrics Preference of students marked as 1 non-preference as 0

31. Sociogram A sociogram is a graphic representation of social links that a person has. It is a graph drawing that plots the structure of interpersonal relations in a group situation. It is use to analyze the choices or preferences each person makes within a group.

32. F D E A C B F - Star Girl Boy F E D Cliques F Mutual's C Reject/ Isolate Sociagram

33. Sociogram will help the teacher to identify : Stars – Stars are those who are chosen by many. Chains and Cliques – Cliques are those who are chosen exclusively by themselves. Mutuals – Mutuals are unit of two individuals chosen reciprocally. Students who mentioned each other. Rejected – Pupils whom no members of the class like or want to associate. These receive only rejections. Isolates – The members of the class are different towards these pupils. The isolates make no choice and receive no choice. F Star F E D Cliques C Mutual's Rejected Isolate

34. CSA = Σ𝐶𝐴 / n-1 Sociometric Index Sociometric choices or other relations are also measured by indices .A large member of choices are possible 1. Choice status index : (n-1)is used because one cannot choose oneself. Where CSA=Choice states of person A, ΣCA= sum of choices in common A, n- 1member individual in the group .

35. 2. Group cohesiveness index : GC= Σ(MC) n(n-1) 2 Where GC=group cohesiveness ΣMC=sum of mutual choices or pairs. n=the member of individual in the group . Group cohesiveness index : is the proportion of mutual choices to the member of possible choices.

36. Social intensity index = Σacceptance + Σrejections (n-1) Choice –rejection status :The member of choices minus the member of rejections

37. Use of Identifying Social Stars and Isolates Helps teacher to prevent social maladjustment in children and to promote social cohesion. Help the teacher to make teaching more effective. The teacher can seek the help of social stars to conduct project works in the class. Teacher can give more attention to isolates. Teacher can improve the behaviour of the students. Teacher can help the students to acquire more knowledge through healthy competition. Can make co-operative and creative atmosphere in the classroom. Teacher can give opportunities of expression of feeling of rivalry and co-operation in the classroom

38. Merits of Sociometry The social map directly helps the teacher in the management of the class activities. It will tell him whether his class is a well-knit or loosely-knit group. It will help him to prevent social mal-adjustment in pupils, and to promote social cohesion.

39. Demerits of Sociometry The sociogram by itself is unable to revel the reasons for social relationship. It is not free from halo-effect. It often results in the labeling of some children as maladjusted or inferior.

40. Together we can