Group Dynamics Certification
Step 1: Resources
Please review each of these resources thoroughly to prepare for the quiz at the end of this page.
Step 2: Questions
Watch the Big Bang Theory video.
Goal theory indicates that goals are more likely to be achieved by a team when specific attainable goals are set.
What is the goal in this clip?
Why was the goal hard to meet when working as a team?
Have you ever had similar difficulties working as a team to achieve a goal?
On January 28 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after takeoff. All seven crew members perished — including high school teacher Christa McAuliffe. McAuliffe had been selected from more than 11,000 applicants to become the first teacher in space.
Watch the video to the right. Why did the space shuttle Challenger crash? Was it due to a situation called “groupthink?” Groupthink is a desire to be cohesive which distorts decision making
Watch the Video!
Adjust the volume or pause the video to meet your needs.
Step 3: Exercise
This puzzle contains significant hints for the final quiz!
1. One benefit of having a plan is to direct the team's a........ so you can get what you want.
2. The three characteristics of g......... are flawed beliefs, letting everyone have a voice and pressure to conform.
3. In order to tackle groupthink you can speak up and ask q........
X
Congratulations!
Step 4: Summary
- Interactions that influence the attitudes and behaviour of people when they are grouped with others
- Directs your attention – more focused efforts
- Energizes – motivates & increases efforts
- Persistence – time and action continues even with opposition
- Number of strategies/solutions increases
- “The craving to be cohesive.” Thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility
- “The craving to be cohesive.” Thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility
- Have a plan and check in on the plan regularly
- Speak up – ask questions, share your ideas, point out challenges
- Make sure everyone has a voice – ask each person
What are three characteristics of groupthink?
- “Nothing bad will happen”
- “Everyone else must be right”
- “It’s safe until you prove otherwise”
- “Watering-down your opinions”
- “Silence means agreement”
- “No input from/rude to ‘naysayers”’
- “I must comply…have to do it.”
- “It’s what we know – how we do things”
- “I’ll look bad if I disagree”
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