The difference between a team and a group.

A complex social environment becomes the basis for uniting people in diverse communities. The forms of such communities are the collective and the group. In them, each person takes his own position, performs a specific role.

What is a group

A group - a community of specific dimensions, based on a number of criteria, occupying a separate place in the social whole. There are large groups: territorial, age, religious and others. They can be real, that is, where there is interaction between people, and conditional - in them people do not always know each other directly.

There are also small groups: a company of friends, a hobby club, a school class, etc. The subjects that make up them necessarily contact each other. As a rule, in such formations there is someone whom other participants recognize as an authoritative leader. If we are talking about an official group, then the leader takes the leading role in it.

The members of the group are aware of their participation in it. In such a community, there is a distribution of responsibilities, there is group pressure, encouraging to behave according to accepted norms. A person, being in a group, can change his previous opinions and attitudes.

How a group becomes a collective

Any collective is a group. But not every group is capable of developing to the collective stage. To better understand the difference between a collective and a group, let us analyze how this development takes place.

At the initial stage, people unite to perform a specific task. At the same time, everyone finds himself in a situation that requires the ability to orientate himself, to prove himself. It is usually very difficult to fully open up. People are in no hurry to reveal their feelings, weaknesses. They try to be rational by prioritizing mutual learning.

The second phase is characterized by the fact that the group members get to know each other's qualities better. Those with similar positions and similar perceptions converge. Prejudice against individuals is overcome. The criticism of the applied working methods and the established rules begins. Opinions clash. Relationships at this stage can become conflictual. However, a reasonable approach is to competently solve interpersonal problems and skillfully adjust actions.

If the group has successfully overcome the second phase, favorable conditions are created for the formation of a healthy team. At this stage, the mutual trust of the participants increases dramatically. Relationships are becoming more open and lasting. It is easier to reach agreement on setting goals for work and when acting together.

At the final stage, the community of people takes the form of a collective. A special relationship is established between its members.

Comparison

A formed team from a group that has not reached this highest point of its development is distinguished by the following features:

  1. High cohesion. Interaction between people is characterized by maximum openness, the presence of constant feedback, mutual assistance, joint analysis of results and a common desire to improve the existing situation. It is not rivalry that comes to the fore, but cooperation.
  2. A kind-hearted relationship. The members of the team are linked by strong emotional bonds based on mutual sympathy, support and encouragement of each other, encouragement of the best character traits. Warmth arises, concern for the welfare of everyone.
  3. Complete coincidence of general and individual goals. The degree of dedication of the people in a team to a common cause is an indicator of the maturity of such a community. If the intentions of individual participants are identified with common goals and objectives, this becomes a condition for maintaining a positive, inspiring climate.
  4. Sustainability. This is another factor regarding what is the difference between a collective and a group. If the group is often dependent on external stimuli and it may be characterized by spontaneity of behavior, then the collective, which has repeatedly passed the test of strength, successfully resists various social fluctuations and shocks.
  5. Long-term interaction of people. It takes a certain amount of time for a team to form and acquire its distinctive features. A well-coordinated team is a tremendous incentive to unleash the creative potential of its members and achieve lofty goals.
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