What is Group Cohesion?
Group cohesiveness describes how tightly knit the members are within a team or organization. Cohesive groups have high levels of trust and support among their members, which leads to better communication, collaboration, and decision-making. Research shows that group cohesion has important effects on individual stress response and performance.
Anticipation of Cohesion
When people anticipate being part of a cohesive group, they may feel less stressed because they believe that others will provide support if needed. This can lead to lower levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress responses. In turn, this can reduce feelings of anxiety, increase motivation, and improve problem solving abilities.
Individuals may also be more likely to engage in risky behavior when they feel supported by their peers, such as taking unnecessary chances or skipping safety procedures.
Anticipating cohesion may lead to greater investment in the group's success, leading to higher productivity and creativity.
Effects on Stress Response and Performance
Research suggests that anticipating cohesion can positively impact an individual's stress response and performance.
One study found that participants who expected to work with a cohesive team performed better than those who did not expect cohesion. Another study showed that athletes who anticipated cohesion had lower cortisol levels before competition, suggesting that cohesion may help buffer against the negative effects of stress.
A third study demonstrated that perceived cohesion was associated with improved job satisfaction and decreased burnout rates.
There are some potential drawbacks to relying too heavily on cohesion. If members of a group become overly dependent on each other, it could lead to a lack of autonomy and creativity.
High levels of cohesion can create pressure to conform and suppress dissenting opinions. Nevertheless, groups that balance cohesion and diversity can thrive and achieve great things.
Anticipating cohesion can have both positive and negative effects on individual stress responses and performance. It is important for leaders and managers to create cohesive teams while still encouraging individual initiative and innovation. By balancing these factors, organizations can maximize productivity and well-being among their employees.
How does anticipation of group cohesion influence individual stress responses and performance?
Research shows that individuals who feel a strong sense of belongingness with their team experience less perceived threat, anxiety, and tension during high-pressure situations (McEwen & Stellar, 1993; Sutton et al. , 2006).