GROUP DYN

AMICS: M

SOD

613

GROUP DYNAMICS

“Group Dynamics is a field of inquiry dedicated to advancing knowledge

about the nature of groups, the laws of their development and their

interrelations with individuals, others groups, and larger institutions.”

From Cartwright, D. & Zander, A. (1968). Group Dynamics. New York, NY: Harper & Row, p. 19.

SOME THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS

Field Theory (Lewin)

Interaction Theory (Bales, Homans, Whyte)

Systems Theory

Psychodynamic theory (Bion)

General Psychology (Festinger, Asch)

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF ASSIGNMENT

Purpose:

• To learn about a specific component of group dynamics

• To teach others about a specific component of group dynamics

• To observe this dynamic in your own small group

• To have this learning as a resource for you in the learning group formation process

Format:

• Collection of resources available to yourselves and others in your cohort

• Summary of learning in a form that allows key points to be learned by others

PROCESS

• Spend time “gathering” resources• Books or Chapters in books• Articles• Key portions of assigned readings• Websites, blogs• Materials from other courses

Culling the important concepts, key authors and thinkers in the field

Sharing the ideas you have with your small group Noticing how the dynamics may have manifested in your group Forming your final summary Posting in Sakai, MSOD 613 Forums by December 9

IMPORTANT FOR FINAL SUMMARY

• Definition

• Themes

• Key authors

• Disagreement or consensus in research findings

• Application• Why is this component important in OD work?• What are elements that may influence this dynamic?• How can this component be useful or harmful?• How does it “show up”?

PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY & TRUST

Definitions of each

How are they related, how differ?

Key authors

• Amy Edmonson (psychological safety)

• Jack Gibb (trust)

• Smith & Berg (paradoxes of trust)

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT PONDER

How is trust “built”?

How is psychological safety built?

What will destroy either trust or psychological safety?

What does either of them allow?

What do studies show?

What other concepts are related? Or closely akin but not the same?

Are there factors that influence trust? Type of Group? Gender? Race?