KEY TERMS – CHAPTER 15

group                                       Two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve specific goals. 

forming                                   The first stage of group development in which people join the group and then define the group’s purpose, structure, and leadership.

storming                                  The second stage of group development which is characterized by intragroup conflict.

norming                                   The third stage of group development which is characterized by close relationships and cohesiveness.

performing                              The fourth stage of group development when the group is fully functional.

adjourning                               The final stage of group development for temporary groups during which group members are concerned with wrapping up activities rather than task performance.

role                                          Behavior patterns expected of someone occupying a given position in a social unit.

norms                                      Standards or expectations that are accepted and shared by a group’s members.

groupthink                              When a group exerts extensive pressure on an individual to alignhis or her opinion with others’ opinions.

status                                      A prestige grading, position, or rank within a group.

social loafing                          The tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually.

group cohesiveness                The degree to which group members are attracted to one another and share the group’s goals.

conflict                                    Perceived incompatible differences that result in interference or opposition.

traditional view of conflict     The view that all conflict is bad and must be avoided.

human relations view of         The view that conflict is a natural and inevitable outcome

conflict                                    in any group.

interactionist view of              The view that some conflict is necessary for a group to

conflict                                    perform effectively.

functional conflicts                 Conflicts that support a group’s goals and improve its performance.

dysfunctional conflicts           Conflicts that prevent a group from achieving its goals.

task conflict                            Conflicts over content and goals of the work.

relationship conflict                Conflict based on interpersonal relationships.

process conflict                      Conflict over how work gets done.

work teams                             Groups whose members work intensely on a specific, common goal using their positive synergy, individual and mutual accountability, and complementary skills.

problem-solving team            A team from the same department or functional area that’s involved in efforts to improve work activities or to solve specific problems.

 self-managed work team      A type of work team that operates without a manager and is responsible for a complete work process or segment.

cross-functional team             A work team composed of individuals from various specialties. 

virtual team                            A type of work team that uses technology to link physically dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal.

social network structure        The patterns of informal connections among individuals

                                                within a group