GROUP DYNAMICS

GROUP DYNAMICS

The word ”Dynamics” comes from the Greek word meaning ”force” ;hence group dynamics refers to the study of forces operating within a group.

Kurt Lewin, a social psychologist and change management expert, is credited with coining the term "group dynamics" in the early 1940s. He noted that people often take on distinct roles and behaviors when they work in a group. "Group dynamics" describes the effects of these roles and behaviors on other group members, and on the group as a whole. A group with a positive dynamic is easy to spot. Team members trust one another, they work towards a collective decision, and they hold one another accountable for making things happen. In a group with poor group dynamics, people's behavior disrupts work. As a result, the group may not come to any decision, or it may make the wrong choice, because group members could not explore options effectively. Group dynamics deals with the attitudes and behavioral patterns of a group. Group dynamics concern how groups are formed, what is their structure and which processes are followed in their functioning. Thus, it is concerned with the interactions and forces operating between groups. Group dynamics is relevant to groups of all kinds – both formal and informal.

FEATURES OF GROUP DYNAMICS

• Concerned with group - Group dynamics is concerned with group .Wherever a group exists the individuals interact and members are continuously changing and adjusting relationship with respect to each other. The members of the group may interact , may be in state of tension , may be attracted or repelled to each other , may seek the resolution of these tensions and return to equilibrium after the resolution. 
• Changes - Changes go on occurring like introduction of the new members, changes in leadership, presence of old and new members and the rate of change fast or slow. The groups may dissolve if the members are not enthusiastic about the goals, they have no faith in the ideology and donot identify themselves with the group. This means that the cohesiveness in the group has decreased. 
• Rigidity or Flexibility - There may be rigidity or flexibility (cohesiveness or conflict) that influence a group dynamics. If the members get along well there is smooth sailing for the group and if there is conflict it leads to problems. A rigid group may not change and lacks adaptability to change. But the members if are able to solves the problems, the equilibrium can be maintained. The conflict and tension if increases within the group, this can cause an open flare up and strong measures are urgently. 
• Group organization - The group organization is essential. It leads to greater group effectiveness, participation, cooperation and a constructive morale. The leader will be effective only if the group is organized and stable. Some degree of organization is essential for effective functioning of the group and depends on the proportion of the well-defined roles members have in the group. The organized group is one with every member having specific roles and acting towards other members in the prescribed manner. 
• Continuous process of restructuring, adjusting and readjusting members -Dynamic group always is in continuous process of restructuring, adjusting and readjusting members to one another for the purpose of reducing the tensions, eliminating the conflicts and solving the problems which its members have in common. The changes may take within a group and it is interesting to study the way the change do occur. The frequent changes indicate the capacity of the group to change and adapt.

PRINCIPLES OF THE GROUP DYNAMICS

• The members of the group must have a strong sense of belonging to the group. The barrier between the leaders and to be led must be broken down.
• The more attraction a group is to its members, the greater influence it would exercise on its members.
• The grater the prestige of the group member in the eyes of the member in the eyes of the members, the greater influence he would exercise on the theme.
•  The successful efforts to change individuals sub parts of the group would result in making them confirm to the norms of the group.
• The pressures for change when strong can be established in the group by creating a shared perception by the members for the need for the change.
• Information relating to the need for change, plans for change and the consequence of the changes must be shared by the members of the group.
• The changes in one part of the groups may produce stress in the other parts, which can be reduced only by eliminating the change or by bringing about readjustments in the related parts.
•  The groups arise and function owing to common motives.
• The groups survive by pacing the members into functional hierarchy and facilitating the action towards the goal.
• The intergroup relations, group organization, member participation is essential for effectiveness of a group.