Defining Group

A group is a collection of two or more people who interact with one another and share a common goal. Group behavior refers to the way that groups of people interact with one another. These groups work together to have a common goal, and in order to do this, they must have a common understanding of what that goal is. There are three types of groups: social, political, and technological. These differences in types is dependent on the communication of the leader to the other members of the group. Image source

What is group behaviour?

Group behaviour are the actions of group of people who have some sort of commonalities in them. Group behaviors can be seen in the languages, dressing, foods, political affiliation , and hobbies of different groups. Group behaviours are the result of communication between group members, which is what allows them to work together towards a common goal.

What are two types of group behaviors?

Group behaviors are of two types in terms of their impact on the overall community that follows them. These are the constructive behaviors(positive behaviors) and the desctructive behaviors(negative behaviors).

Constructive behavior

Constructive behaviors are those that have a positive impact on the community as a whole. These can be things like helping others, being cooperative, and working towards a common goal. For example your city/area has been under a flood and there is a group of people who is raising funds to help those affected. This is a constructive behavior as it has had a positive impact on the community and made life easier for many people.

Destructive behavior

Destructive behaviors have a negative impact on the community as a whole. They can be things like stealing, vandalizing, and abusing others. This is why it is important for leaders to be aware of the types of behaviors their groups are engaging in so they can take appropriate action. For example, if a group of teenagers is engaging in drug selling to the school going kids , the school authorities would be well within their rights to take action.

Characteristics of group behaviors

In social science every social relation is identified with its characteristics, for the group behaviors these characteristics are as follow:

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Rule book

A group has a rule book when the members know what is expected of them and how to follow it. This book usually contains the group's beliefs, values, and norms. For example, in a classroom, the rule book might be the teacher's instructions and expectations.

Commitment

A group is said to be committed when all of its members are willing to follow the rules and act in accordance with the group's goals. For example, if a group of friends is deciding where to go for dinner, everyone must agree on the choice before proceeding.

Collective intention

A group has collective intention when all of its members are working together to achieve a common goal. For example, in a classroom, the teacher might have a goal of teaching all of the students at once.

Social identity

A group has social identity when it is seen as separate from other groups and individuals. For example, in a classroom, the students might be considered the group.

Social norms

Social norms are rules that have been agreed upon by a group of people and are typically enforced by the group. For example, in a classroom, the students might be expected to sit down when they are called on by the teacher.