GROUP BEHAVIOUR
Group
Behaviour refers to people with a similar goal behaving in the same way,
which might be different from how they would normally behave if they were alone
or as individuals. It is the type of behaviour that takes place when
individuals act together or collectively.
Groups
are composed of individuals. Hence, the group behaviour means behaviour of its
members. In practice, each member of the group affects the behaviour of other
members and, in turn, is also affected by them. The nature and patterns of
reinforcement the members receive through their interaction with one another is
also determined by the group itself. This is because the behaviour of
individual members in a group becomes different than their behaviour outside
the group situation. Therefore, while studying group behaviour, the factors
that should be understood are group norms, group cohesion, group role, group
conflict and group decision-making.
GROUP NORMS
A
norm is accepted by group members. It is a rule of conduct that has been
established by group members. They are standardized generalizations concerning
expected behaviour in matters that are of some importance of the group.
A
rule dictates what must be done by another whereas norm refers to what should
be done. Group norm is a standard of behaviour. In other words, group norm is a
rule that tells the individual how to behave in a particular group. Thus, group
norms identify the standards against which behaviour of group members will be
evaluated and help the group members know what they should not do. Norms could
be formal or could be informal.
Example
In
a group that drinks tea together every evening a norm arises. Every day a
different member buys tea for the other members of the group.
The
individuals are expected to comply with group norms.
The
factors responsible for the emergence of group norms are of two kinds:
1.
Members of the group seek to validate their beliefs.
2.
If the group wants to maintain its identity there must be uniformity in
attitudes and actions of the members. While showing problems the interactions
of members of the group must be coordinated. Then only the group can survive.
According
to Edgar Henry Schein (born in 1928) there are pivotal and relevant group
norms. While the pivotal norms are confirmed by every member of the group, the
relevant norms are desirable to be confirmed by the members. With increase in
the size of the group, the acceptability of norms tends to lessen. Small
deviation of norms is allowable. However, in case of extreme deviation, the
deviator gets punished. For example, when the union is on strike, its members
attending to work punished by being boycotted by the group.
Thus,
the group norms have following characteristics:
1.
As personality reveals an individual, so group norms do for groups.
2.
Norms serve as the basis for behaviour of group members.
3.
They predict and control the behaviour of members in groups.
4.
Norms are applied to all members of the group, though not uniformly.
GROUP ROLE
A
role means a set of expected behaviour pattern attached to a position or post
in a social unit. In an organization, an employee's role is briefly indicated
by a position title and elaborately specified by a job description. As regards
group roles, these are designated and assigned in formal groups. These roles
are prescribed by the organization with a view to make division among workers
and assign them responsibility. But group roles are usually not explicitly
prescribed in informal groups. That is why in informal groups, one group member
may perform several roles or several members may also perform the same role.
Types of Group Roles
In
practice, the group members may be expected to perform a variety of different
roles. A complete listing of these group roles would be very lengthy. However,
the three most relevant group roles are discussed as follows:
(i) Work Roles: These
roles relate to task-oriented activities involved in accomplishing the group
tasks or group goals. Developing a strategy for accomplishing the task,
assigning jobs, evaluating work progress and clarifying the group goals are the
examples of work roles related to task-oriented activities.
(ii) Maintenance Role: These
roles relate to social-emotional activities of group members that help maintain
their involvement and commitment to group. Examples of these roles may be
encouraging other fellow members to participate, praising and rewarding other
members for their excellent contribution and similar other activities designed
to maintain a friendly group atmosphere.
(iii) Blocking Roles: These
are the activities that disrupt or destroy the group. These activities may
include
such things as dominating the discussion, attacking other group members,
disagreeing unreasonably with other group members and distracting group by
unnecessary humour.
GROUP BEHAVIOUR
Group
Behaviour refers to people with a similar goal behaving in the same way, which
might be different from how they would normally behave if they were alone or as
individuals. It is the type of behaviour that takes place when individuals act
together or collectively. Examples include students on a courtesy call in the
governor of a state, or when they embark on a peaceful demonstration.
Group
Behaviour also refers to the interactions that take place in small groups such
as the family, peer groups, etc.
Types of Group Behaviour
There
are two major types of group behaviour and they are collective behaviour and community
services. Other forms of group behaviour include crowd behaviour, herd
behaviour and public or mass behaviour. However, for the sake of this lesson,
our attention is focused on the two major types mentioned earlier.
(1) Collective Behaviour: This
includes social behaviour such as action and industrial action. It is defined
by the fact that individuals come together to express a preference for, or a
grievance against, a given social situation. Strikes by the Nigerian Labour
Congress, for instance, constitute collective behaviour or mass action.
Characteristics of Collective Behaviour
i.
Collective behaviour such as mass action is often based on a grievance or
preference for change shared by members of a social group.
ii.
The mass action may be spontaneous, in the sense that it may not have been
planned in advance but may have been based on a perceived injury.
iii.
Collective behaviour sometimes requires a formal organisational and
administrative or leadership structure that organises the diverse interests of
members.
iv.
Collective behaviour is the means by which individuals make their ideas,
opinions and feelings known in a group situation.
v.
Collective behaviour (such as mass action) is always undertaken primarily for
the interests of members of a given group.
(2) Community Services: These
are actions taken by corporate groups or individuals to improve the lots of
communities. The provision of boreholes or pipe-borne water in a community by a
group of individuals is a form of community service. Usually, community services
are directed at areas of need and very often, they take the form of corporate
social responsibility or philanthropy.
Characteristics of Community
Services
i.
Community services, whether provided by a social group or by an ad hoc group of
individuals, are usually based on a felt need of the community.
ii.
Community services are usually planned in advance.
iii.
Community services are often provided by formal organisations, although they
could also be provided by an ad hoc group of individuals who come together
specifically to provide the given service. Examples of such services may be to
build an access road to a remote village or a laboratory for a community
secondary school.
iv.
Community services can also be provided within the community itself by individuals
who maintain their community roads or clean up the environment so as to promote
health.
v. Community services are provided for the benefit of the society and not for
personal or group profit.
Benefits of Group Behaviour
When
people act or behave collectively, certain benefits or advantages are realised.
Some or these advantages are stated below:
(i)
People achieve more when they act collectively. What one person cannot do
properly can be done well when people try to do it as a group. For example, clearing
the environment of rubbish and dirt.
(ii)
Changes in a society are usually brought about by group Behaviour. For example,
if a group of people think the way the government is ruling the people is not
right and they speak with one voice, the government could be forced to change
the system. For example, a dictatorial government can be made to change to a
democratic one.
(iii)
During emergency situations, help comes quickly or action is taken speedily to
stop bad situations getting worse. For example, during a fire incident or a
motor accident, people behaving or acting as a group put off the fire quickly
or help to save the lives of those who are badly injured, or even their own
lives.
(iv)
A peaceful demonstration by workers because of low pay or salaries and bar
working conditions of service may lead to increase in salaries and better
working conditions.
(v) Group behaviour may bring about a revival or renewal of a good habit that
has been lost or forgotten. For example, when the Buhari/Idiagbon military
government took over power in 1983, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) campaign
was introduced. This campaign brought back the need for orderliness in public
life such as queuing up at bus stops, post offices, banks, etc. People
wholeheartedly supported the programme and collectively opposed any one who
tried to go against the campaign.
(vi)
When there is group behaviour, people tend to feel a sense of unity, even if
that spirit of unity does not last for long. People put aside their differences
and work together as one big family to achieve their objectives.
(vii)
Those who may be shy or not bold enough to do certain things when they act
alone become bold and strong to behave or act because others are doing the same
thing.
(viii) Group behaviour can bring about freedom for a people who are oppressed
or unjustly treated when collectively they revolt or decide not to accept their
condition. For example, the struggle for independence by Nigerians from the
British.
Group behaviour, however, may have destructive effects such as when a crowd
becomes violent, destroys properties, lynches a person or suddenly rushes for a
small exit, leading to people losing their lives.
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