Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations

Objectives (slide 1 of 2)

5.1 Types of Social Groups• Define what a social group is and describe types of

groups.5.2 Group Interaction and Leadership• Describe the ways in which individuals interact within a

group.• Illustrate leadership styles in relation to the group

structure.5.3 Group Dynamics: Size, Diversity, and Conformity• Explain how group dynamics influence social interaction.• Discuss concepts of group dynamics.

Objectives (slide 2 of 2)

5.4 Formal Organizations• Describe the role and function of a

formal organization.• Illustrate types of formal organizations.5.5 Future Opportunities for Organizations• Describe two important ways that

organizations are adapting to contemporary environments.

Social Groups

• Social group: Two or more people who have something in common

• Emergent properties: Properties of a group that emerge through the process of interaction

Aggregates

An aggregate is defined as people who occupy the same physical space, but who have nothing in common.

Primary and Secondary Groups

• Primary group: Cooley’s term for a group with which we feel a deep sense of belonging or intimacy

• Secondary group: Cooley’s term for formal, impersonal groups that impact socialization

In-Groups, Out-Groups, and Reference Groups

• In-groups: Groups to which we belong or identify with

• Out-groups: Groups toward which we feel a sense of competition or antagonism

• Reference groups: Groups by which we gauge ourselves and that act as reference points for future behavior

Social Networks

• Social networks: Links that connect people to one another in a web of connections

• Strong ties: Ties that link people in a close fashion

• Clique: A small group of people who are part of a larger group and who interact with one another as a group in and of themselves

• Weak ties: Links to people with whom we do not interact often or with whom we have weak social relationships

Fiske and the Four Elementary Forms of Social Action

•Communal Sharing•Authority Ranking•Equality Matching•Market Pricing

Leadership Styles: Democratic, Authoritarian, and Laissez-Faire

• Leader: A person who influences the beliefs, values, and behaviors of others

Leadership Functions: Instrumental versus Expressive Leadership

• Instrumental leader: Also known as a task leader, a person who is responsible for leading a group toward the completion of a task

• Expressive leader: Also called a socioemotional leader; a person who is responsible for maintaining group morale and smoothing tensions in a group

Group Dynamics

• Group dynamics: How the individual influences the group and how the group influences the individual

Group Size

The Dyad• Dyad: A group

consisting of two people• Because there is only

one possible interaction, a dyad remains a highly unstable social group.

The Triad• Triad: A group consisting

of three people• Because there are three

possible interactions in a triad, it forms the basis for group stability.

Larger Groups

As group size increases:• Group stability increases• Intimacy of interaction declines.• The group tends to become more formalized/

hierarchical.• The group has less of an influence over the

individual.• It is easier to remain anonymous and therefore

easier to dissent from consensus without rebuke.

Group Diversity

• Heterogeneity: Diversity in groups• Homogeneous group: A group in which

all people are similar

Group Conformity: The Asch Experiment

• The Asch experiment tested whether a test subject would answer a question incorrectly based on the influence of other group members. – 33% of the people tested gave answers they

knew to be incorrect in at least half of the trials. – 40% gave wrong answers, though less

frequently. – Only about 25% of the subjects tested always

gave the correct answer.

Groupthink• Groupthink: The tendency for groups to develop a

rigid way of thinking• Characteristics of groupthink:– Illusion of invulnerability– Collective rationalization– Inherent morality of the group’s position– Stereotyped view of out-groups– Direct pressure to conform– Self-censorship– Illusion of unanimity– Self-appointed mind guards

Formal Organizations

• Organization: A group that is deliberately constructed to achieve a purpose common to its members

• Formal organization: An organization that is rationally structured to efficiently achieve specific goals using rules and regulations

Types of Formal Organizations

• Not all formal organizations are the same. For instance, they may be classified according to the reasons that people choose to participate in them. Three general classifications of formal organizations have been identified: utilitarian, normative, and coercive.

Bureaucracies

• Bureaucracy: An organizational model designed to achieve specific tasks in a very efficient way

• Max Weber identified six traits that describe an ideal bureaucracy:– Specialization– Hierarchy of positions– Rules and regulations– Technical competence– Impersonality– Formal written communication

Organizational Environment

• Organizational environment: Outside forces that influence the structure and performance of an organization, including:– Rules and regulations– Economic conditions– Competition– Technology– Availability of workers

Bureaucracies

• Informal Aspects of Bureaucracy• Dysfunctions of Bureaucracy• Bureaucratic Ritualism and Rigidity– Bureaucratic ritualism: A focus on rules and

regulations to the point of undermining the goals of the organization.

• Bureaucratic Inertia– Bureaucratic inertia: The tendency of bureaucracies

to perpetuate themselves over time.• Alienation

Future Opportunities for Organizations

Globalism• Dividing tasks among

different countries to capitalize on opportunities

• Outsourcing non-skilled jobs to countries to increase profit

• Opening new potential markets

• Creating opportunities in developing countries through technology, ideas, and jobs

Flexible Workplace• Examples:

– Flexible work hours– Encouraging team

problem-solving– Communication

technology connecting people in different geographies

– New forms of remuneration and benefits