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Analyse six factors that might influence cohesiveness in a group.

      

Analyse six factors that might influence cohesiveness in a group.

  

Answers


Kavungya
Group pride
Many theorists believe that group cohesion results from a deep sense of "we-ness," or belonging
to a group as a whole. By becoming enthusiastically involved in the efforts of the group and by
recognizing the similarities that exist among group members, more cohesion is formed.
Furthermore, group pride creates a sense of community that strengthens the bonds of unity that
link group members to one another.
Task commitment
Other theorists stress that cohesion comes from group members' commitment to work together to
complete their shared tasks and accomplish their collective tasks or goals. Members of task oriented groups typically exhibit great interdependence and often possess feelings of
responsibility for the group's outcomes. The bonds of unity that develop from members'
concerted effort to achieve their common goals are considered indicative of group cohesion.
Factors
The forces that push group members together can be positive (group-based rewards) or negative
(things lost upon leaving the group). The main factors that influence group cohesiveness are:
members' similarity, group size, entry difficulty, group success and external competition and
threats. Often, these factors work through enhancing the identification of individuals with the
group they belong to as well as their beliefs of how the group can fulfil their personal needs.
Similarity of group members
Individuals' similarities in background (e.g., race, ethnicity, occupation, age), attitudes, values
and personality traits have generally positive association with group cohesiveness.
Entry difficulty
Difficult entry criteria or procedures to a group tend to present it in more exclusive light. The
more elite the group is perceived to be, the more prestigious it is to be a member in that group.
Thus, the value of the group increases in the group member's mind.
Group performance
Group performance, like exclusive entry, increases the value of group membership to its
members and influences members to identify more strongly with the team and to want to be
actively associated with It.
External competition and threat
When members perceive active competition with another group, they become more aware of
members' similarity within their group as well as seeing their group as a means to overcome the
external threat or competition they are facing. Both these factors increase group cohesiveness;
leaders throughout human history have been aware of this and focused the attention of their
followers on conflicts with external enemies when internal cohesion was threatened. Similar
effects can be brought about by facing an 'objective' external threat or challenge (such as natural
disaster)
Kavungya answered the question on May 17, 2019 at 15:41


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