Group dynamics is the study of the processes that influence how people act within groups. The term can also refer to the processes themselves.
A group consists of two or more individuals connected by a social relationship. Members of a group interact and influence one another’s behavior. These processes—the group dynamics—influence how the group itself behaves, and separate group behavior from the behavior of a random set of unrelated individuals. Examples of groups include clubs, committees, therapy groups, social or business organizations, armies, and even nations.
In 1895, the French social scientist Gustave Le Bon made one of the first psychological studies of crowds. It also represented one of the first formal explorations of group behavior. The German-born American psychologist Kurt Lewin was one of the first researchers to investigate group behavior scientifically. Lewin coined the term group dynamics in 1939. It has since become a recognized field of study in the social sciences.
In 1965, the American psychologist Bruce Tuckman proposed a model of group development based on several studies. He stated that groups go through four stages in their development: (1) orientation, testing, and dependence; (2) conflict; (3) group cohesion; and (4) functional role-relatedness, in which members have well-defined goals and roles. He labeled these four stages “forming,” “storming,” “norming,” and “performing.” In 1977, Tuckman added another stage, “adjourning,” which involves the termination of the group after its purpose is fulfilled.
Topics of research in group dynamics include group formation, structure, cohesion, conflict development and resolution, decision-making, and productivity. Research in group dynamics has also helped identify the characteristics of good leaders and the influence of different leadership styles. Knowledge gained through research in group dynamics has been used in a variety of practical applications, including group therapy and leadership training.
