Group Dynamics: Structure

Summary

This transcript explores the structure of groups, emphasizing the role of norms, roles, and social networks in shaping group dynamics. It explains how norms regulate behavior, roles assign expected behaviors, and networks influence communication and status. The summary also touches on the challenges of role ambiguity and conflict, and how social structures can be measured through social network analysis. It concludes by discussing the impact of status and attraction networks on group participation and communication.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Group structure is not a random collection of individuals but an organized system of interactions and relationships, regulated by norms, roles, and networks.
• 📜 Norms are implicit, self-generating, and stable standards for group behavior, including prescriptive, descriptive, and injunctive norms.
• 🕴️ Roles in a group specify expected behaviors for individuals in certain positions, influencing how members interact and contribute to group goals.
• 🤔 Role ambiguity and conflict arise when role expectations are unclear or when they demand incompatible behaviors.
• 🔍 Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a method to measure the social structure of a group using indexes like density, centrality, and closeness.
• 🏆 Status networks reflect the hierarchy of authority and power within a group, often leading to competition and a dominance order.
• 🤝 Attraction networks are formed based on social metric differentiation, favoring individuals with socially attractive qualities or a good fit with group values.
• 📡 Communication networks define who communicates with whom within a group, influencing group outcomes like performance and satisfaction.
• 📊 Centralized networks are efficient but can lead to lower satisfaction due to information saturation and a lack of balanced communication.
• 🌐 Systematic Multiple Level Observation of Groups (SYMLOG) is a model that assesses group structure based on dominance, friendliness, acceptance of authority, and task orientation.

Q & A

What is group structure?

Group structure refers to the organized systems of interactions and relationships within a group, regulated by norms, roles, and networks of connections among the members.

Why do norms develop to regulate group behavior?

Norms develop to regulate group behavior as they are implicit, self-generating, and stable standards that guide expected conduct within the group.

What are the different types of norms?

There are prescriptive norms, descriptive norms, and injunctive norms. Prescriptive norms identify behaviors that should be performed, descriptive norms define what most people do, and injunctive norms differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable actions.

How do norms influence group members?

Norms influence group members by aligning their actions with those displayed by others, often through a process of internalization of consensual standards.

What are roles in a group and how do they influence members?

Roles in a group specify the types of behaviors expected of individuals in particular positions. They influence members by creating patterns of role differentiation related to task goals and relationship rules.

What is role ambiguity and how does it occur?

Role ambiguity occurs when the behaviors associated with a role are poorly defined, leading to confusion about what is expected of an individual in that role.

What is role conflict and how does it manifest?

Role conflict occurs when group members occupy two or more roles that call for incompatible behaviors, or when the demands of a single role are contradictory.

How can the social structure of a group be measured?

The social structure of a group can be measured using social network analysis (SNA), which includes indexes such as density, degree centrality, betweenness, and closeness.

What is a status network and how does it develop?

A status network is a stable pattern of variations in authority and power within a group. It develops through a status differentiation process where people compete for status, resulting in a hierarchy that determines dominance and submission.

What is an attraction network and how does it form?

An attraction network forms through social metric differentiation, ordering group members from least to most attractive. Attraction relations tend to be reciprocal and transitive, often forming clusters or coalitions within the group.

How does a communication network affect group dynamics?

A communication network influences group dynamics by structuring who speaks to whom and how frequently. Centralized networks can be efficient but may lead to lower member satisfaction due to information saturation and hierarchical information flow.

What is the Systematic Multiple Level Observation of Groups (SYMLOG) and how does it model group interaction?

SYMLOG is a model of interaction and structure that assumes structure is based on three dimensions: dominance and submissiveness, friendliness and unfriendliness, and acceptance or non-acceptance of task orientation of authority.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Group Structure and Norms

This paragraph delves into the concept of group structure, emphasizing that groups are organized systems of interactions and relationships, not mere collections of individuals. It introduces three key elements of group structure: norms, roles, and networks. Norms are described as implicit, self-generating, and stable standards that regulate group behavior. The paragraph differentiates between prescriptive, descriptive, and injunctive norms, explaining their functions within a group. It also discusses how norms develop over time as members align their actions with those of others, internalizing these standards. The auto kinetic effect is mentioned to illustrate how group members internalize these norms.

05:02

🎭 Roles and Social Structure in Groups

The second paragraph focuses on roles within groups, explaining that roles define expected behaviors for individuals in specific positions. It discusses role differentiation and the socialization process, which can lead to stress and tension due to role ambiguity and conflict. The concept of status networks is introduced, highlighting how groups develop patterns of authority and power. The paragraph also touches on status characteristics and the potential for unfair status allocation, particularly for minority group members. It concludes with a discussion of attraction networks, which order group members based on social metrics, and communication networks, which influence group outcomes such as performance and satisfaction. The paragraph also mentions how centralized networks can impact member satisfaction and the flow of information within a group.

Keywords

💡Group Structure

Group structure refers to the organized system of interactions and relationships within a group, which is regulated by norms, roles, and networks. This concept highlights that groups are not random collections of individuals but organized entities with rules governing behavior, relationships, and status hierarchies. The script emphasizes the importance of understanding group structure to analyze how groups function.

💡Norms

Norms are the implicit or explicit rules that govern behavior within a group. The script categorizes norms into prescriptive norms (expected behaviors), proscriptive norms (forbidden behaviors), descriptive norms (common behaviors), and injunctive norms (what behaviors are desirable or undesirable). Norms shape group behavior by providing a framework for expected conduct and developing over time as group members interact.

💡Roles

Roles define the specific behaviors and responsibilities expected of individuals in certain positions within a group. The video script explains how roles evolve through interaction and can be categorized into task roles, focused on the group’s work, and relationship roles, focused on maintaining interpersonal relationships. These roles influence group dynamics and individual member interactions.

💡Role Conflict

Role conflict occurs when there are incompatible demands placed on a group member, either between multiple roles (inter-role conflict) or within a single role (intra-role conflict). The script illustrates how role conflict can create stress and tension for group members, negatively affecting their ability to perform effectively in the group.

💡Social Network Analysis (SNA)

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a method used to measure and visualize the social structure of a group by analyzing the connections between members. The script describes how SNA can quantitatively measure group interactions, with common indexes including density, centrality, and closeness, which help researchers understand how relationships and power dynamics function within a group.

💡Status Networks

Status networks refer to the hierarchies of authority and power that develop within groups. These networks arise through status differentiation, where members compete for positions of dominance or submission. The script highlights how individuals' specific and diffuse characteristics, such as race or age, can unfairly influence their status, leading to status generalization and bias.

💡Attraction Networks

Attraction networks refer to the social connections formed based on interpersonal liking within a group. These networks, often visualized using sociometric structures, are influenced by members' social attractiveness and the group's values. The script explains how attraction networks can lead to clusters of members with similar qualities, affecting group cohesion and social dynamics.

💡Communication Networks

Communication networks represent the flow of information between members within a group. These networks can be formal (structured by the organization) or informal (based on personal interactions). The script discusses how the centrality of members in communication networks affects their influence and how centralized communication can impact group satisfaction and efficiency.

💡Role Differentiation

Role differentiation is the process by which specific roles emerge in a group based on members' interactions and behaviors. Task and relationship roles are typically assigned to different individuals, and these roles evolve over time. The script notes that role differentiation helps maintain group function by dividing responsibilities, but it can also lead to role ambiguity or conflict.

💡Status Generalization

Status generalization refers to the process where irrelevant characteristics, such as race or gender, are unfairly used to assign status within a group. This leads to certain individuals being perceived as more or less prestigious based on characteristics unrelated to their actual contributions. The script highlights this as an unfair dynamic that influences group interactions and hierarchies.

Highlights

Group processes are shaped by unobservable but influential group structures.

Groups develop written and unwritten norms that dictate conduct.

Group norms include expectations about members, rules, and networks of connections.

Group structure consists of norms, roles, and networks of connections among members.

Norms are implicit, self-generating, and stable standards for group behavior.

Types of norms include prescriptive, descriptive, and injunctive norms.

Prescriptive norms identify behaviors that should be performed; descriptive norms define what most people do.

Injunctive norms differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable actions.

Norms develop gradually as members align their actions with those displayed by others.

Roles specify behaviors expected of individuals in particular positions within the group.

Role differentiation and socialization processes can create stress and tension.

Role ambiguity occurs when role behaviors are poorly defined; role conflict arises from incompatible role demands.

Social network analysis (SNA) measures group structure through indexes like density and centrality.

Status networks develop through status differentiation, determining dominance and submissiveness within the group.

Status allocation can be influenced by specific and diffuse status characteristics.

Attraction networks develop through social metric differentiation, ordering members by attractiveness.

Communication networks define who speaks to whom most frequently within a group.

Centralized communication networks are efficient but can lead to lower member satisfaction.

Systematic multiple level observation of groups (SYMLOG) is a model based on dominance, friendliness, and task orientation.

Transcripts

group processes are shaped by

unobservable but influential group

structures all but the most primarily

groups develop written and unwritten

norms that dictate conduct in the group

expectations about the members rules and

the networks of connections among the

members

in this chapter we will learn about the

group's structure we also ask why do

norms both formal and informal develop

to regulate group behavior or we also

want to know what kinds of roles are

common in groups and how do they

influence members how can the social

structure of a group be measured and

what are the status attraction and

communication

networks now let us answer the question

what is group structure

groups are not unorganized collection of

individuals

rather they are organized systems of

interactions and relationships regulated

by group structure

three important elements of group

structure are norms

roles and networks of connections among

the members

now let us proceed with the next

question

why do norms both formal and informal

developed to regulate group behavior

it is important for us to know that

norms are implicit

self-generating and stable standards for

group behavior we have different types

of norms we have prescriptive norms

prescriptive norms descriptive norms and

injunctive norms let us know the

difference between such norms

prescriptive norms are the set of the

standards for expected behavior whereas

prescriptive norms identify behaviors

that should not be performed the

scripted norms define what most people

do

feel or think in the group injunctive

norms differentiate between the

cyberpunk and undesirable actions we

also have to be aware that norms develop

gradually over time as members align

their actions with those displayed by

others according to sheriff work using

the auto kinetic effect indicates that

group members do not merely imitate

others rather they often internalize

these consensual standards because norms

are transmitted to other group members

they tend to be consensual implicit

self-generating and stable

now let us answer the next question

what kinds of roles are common in groups

and how do they influence members

roles specify the types of behaviors

expected of individuals who occupy

particular positions within the group as

members interact with one another their

role related activities become pattern

or role differentiation with

number one past goals this is pertaining

to the work of the group and

relationship rules which pertain to

maintaining relations among members

the same person rarely holds both the

task rule and the relationship role in

the group

moreland and levin's theory

of group socialization describes the

ways rules are allocated to individuals

in the ways in which members transition

through the roles of prospective member

new member

full member

marginal member and former member

the role differentiation and

socialization processes often create

stress and tension for groups and group

members let us describe these things we

have role ambiguity this occurs when the

behaviors associated with a role are

poorly defined

role conflict on the other hand occurs

when group members occupy two

or more

rows that call for incompatible

behaviors or what we call the inter-role

conflict or when the demands of a single

role are contradictory this is what we

call intra-roll conflict when roll fit

is low members do not feel that they

match the demands of their roles now let

us answer the next question how can the

social structure of a group be measured

first we have social network analysis or

sna this offers researchers the means to

describe a group structure

both visually and quantitatively common

indexes used in sna

include density

degree centrality in degree of degree

betweenness and closeness

pakistan and moody's

study of southern sorority suggested

that those members with high centrality

indexes for a click within the overall

group were less committed to the

sorority as a whole

next let us ask what are status networks

most groups develop a stable pattern of

variations in authority and power such

as status networks chains of command

through a status differentiation process

in some instances people compete with

one another for status in groups the

resulting packing order determines who

is dominant and who is submissive group

members perceptions of one another is

also determined the status

burgers expectations states theory

argues that group members allocate

status by considering specific status

characteristics and diffuse status

characteristics when status

generalization occurs group members

unfairly allow irrelevant

characteristics such as race

age or ethnic background to influence

the allocation of prestige status

allocations are particularly unfair when

individuals who are members of

stereotype minority societal groups are

also underrepresented

in the group itself

with the most extreme case being solid

status or being the individual of that

category in that group

in many online groups the effects of

status on participation are muted

resulting in a participation

equalization effect now let us answer

the question what are attraction

networks

a group's attraction network or in

moreno's terms social metrics structure

develops through a social metric

differentiation a process that orders

group members from this light to most

light

attraction relations tend to be

reciprocal and transitive and clusters

or coalitions often exist within the

group that are higher in homophily than

the group as a whole

as headers balance theory suggests

social metric structures also tend to

reach a state of equilibrium in which

likes and dislikes are balanced within

the group social metric differentiation

generally favors individuals who possess

socially attractive qualities such as

cooperativeness or physical appeal but

social standing also depends on the

degree to which the individual's

attributes

match the qualities valued by the group

the person

group fit now let us ask the question

what are communication networks

a group's communication network may

parallel formally establish paths

but most groups also have an informal

network that defines who speaks to whom

most frequently

centralized networks are most efficient

but according to shaw his concept of

information saturation suggests network

tasks are too complex and require high

levels of information exchange

a group's network in addition to

structuring communication influences a

variety group and individual outcomes

including performance effectiveness and

members level of satisfaction

individuals who occupy more central

positions in communication networks are

often more influential than those

located at the periphery

because centralized networks have lower

levels of closeness

the overall level of member satisfaction

in such groups

tends to be lower

more information generally flows

downward in hierarchical networks than

flows upward and the information that is

sent upward is often unrealistically

positive

bills systematic multiple level

observation of groups or syn log

it is a model of interaction and

structure assumes that structure is

based on three dimension

dominance and submissiveness

friendliness and unfriendliness

and acceptance to task orientation of

authority

or non-acceptance of task orientation of

authority