PSYCHOLOGY OF THE GROUP

DEFINITION OF A GROUP

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 the group

Mc David

DEFINITION OF A GROUP

A group is given aggregate of people plying inter

related roles and recognized by themselves

or others as unit of interaction

WILLIAM

A group is a collection of individuals who have regular contact and frequent interaction, mutual influence, common feeling and who work together to achieve a common set of goals

CHARECTERISTICS OF A GROUP

It is a collection of two or more individuals

It has it’s own standard of norms and behavior

It performs some specific functions

It has a definite structure consisting of values, goals and role assignments

It provides motivation and satisfaction of needs of the members

There is a feeling of belongingness in the members of the group

It has it’s goals and objectives

KI

NDS

OF

GRO

UP

In-groupIt is the group with which we

identify ourselvesEg:- a white American forms

an in-group with another white American

Out-groupIt is the group in which the members are considered as

outsiders by usEg:-to the white American child a negro child belong to the out

group

Sumner’s classification

PRIMARY GROUP : It is a group where there is intimate face to face relationship and direct cooperation among the members of the group. There is a strong we feeling among it’s members

Eg:- play group

SECONDARY GROUP: In this type of group, the relationship 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:- professional organizations

TERTIARY GROUP: In this type of groups, the degree of intimacy or relationship is quite marginal and temporary in character.Eg:- the audience in a cinema hall

COOLY’S CLASSIFICATION

This type of group is formed

on the basis of specific norms, rules and values

Eg:- school Military forces

In this type of group the members are not bound by any specific rules or code of

conduct. They may enjoy liberty of thought and

freedom of action and are very informal in their

relationship and actionsEg:- play groups

FORMAL GROUP

INFORMAL GROUP

GROUP DYNAMICSAccording to Kretch and Crutch field, group dynamics

implies changes that take place within groups. It deals with group processes, their

objective analysis and measurement and the effect

of group membership on individual members

Factors effecting group dynamics

Sympathy It influences the group behavior by arousing collective feelings. It enables an individual to perceive the psychological state of another person.

suggestionIt influences the behavior of the group by making the individual members to think collectively. Suggestion make the individual think as others thinking a group the members share the thought with each other.

ImitationIt influences the group by making the individual members to act collectively. The acts of a leader are imitated blindly and thus individuals in the group exhibit uniformity in their behavior.

Group goalsThe behavior of the group is influenced by it’s goal. The extend of group interaction, the degree of group feeling, inter personal relationship, quality of group work etc. depends upon the goal that the group staving to achieve.

CohesivenessThe group dynamics is influenced by the degree to which the members of a group wish to remain in a group. The group loyalty, group mind etc. are found to be decided by the cohesiveness of the group which in turn influence group behavior.

School as a social group

The school is one of the most important organized social group, it is a formal group where all the students, teachers, administrative staff are it’s members. A school has a purpose, that is, imparting education.

All children have a

common goal

It offers excellent

opportunities for group dynamics

Charecteristics of

school as a social group

School has an

organized structure

The students and teachers are motivated

for the achievement

of the common goal

It has a leader (the

head master )

Classroom as a social group

The class room is a social group. The students and teachers are it’s members. The class room helps it’s members to satisfy their needs and achieve the goals

It has an organized and well defined

structure

Charecteristics of

classroom as a

social group

It has the specific objective and common goals

It has the motivational base or level of aspiration

The class , as a group, has a leader- the teacher

It has It It has it’s fixed schedule and programs

So a teacher has to do something to improve group relationship in his or her classroom

Maintaining a pleasant and democratic atmosphere in the classroom by sharing

experiences and exchanging ideas with the pupils

Try to understand the problems of each pupil,

especially the social needs through a friendly approach

Behave to pupils as their friend and guide. Then only they will feel free to reveal

their problems

Give them team work whenever possible

Give them opportunities to develop social skills and

social values

Different types of group relationship in the classroom

StarsStars are those pupils in the class

whom majority of the students like

IsolatesIsolates are pupils whom no

member of the class like or wants to associate with them

CliquesCliques are those students who

have mutual attraction of linking with each other

LEADERSHIP

Leadership is the process of influencing the activities of an organized group in it’s efforts towards goal setting and goal attainment

Autocratic leaders

• They are very

Democratic leaders

Laissez-faire leaders

Types of leadership

Autocratic leaders

They are very dominant and aggressive. They

make decisions without consulting the group

members

Democratic leaders

They are very cooperative and accommodating.

They allow the members to choose their own work

and encourage group discussion. They

encourage freedom of thought and actions and thus cultivate democratic

values in the group

Laissez faire leaders

they do not interfere with the freedom of the

group members and play only a passive role.

Such a leader give complete freedom to

each group members to take decisions of his

own.

What a teacher can do to create a good leader?

Opportunities should be given to children

for playing the role of leaders in curricular

and co-curricular group situations

Children should be encouraged to read

the inspiriting stories of great national

leaders

Teacher should present themselves

as an exemplary model of successful

leadership

Teacher can cultivate leadership qualities

in children by selecting appropriate methods of teaching

Give proper guidance to those children who possess the

spark of leadership