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Cohesion

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A cohesive group identifies itself as a single unit rather than a collection of individuals, which helps hold the group together in the face of adversity.

Cohesion is the degree to which group members have bonded, like each other, and consider themselves to be one entity. A cohesive group identifies itself as a single unit rather than a collection of individuals, which helps hold the group together in the face of adversity. In fact, cohesion is an important factor in generating a positive group temperament, or climate, in which members take pride in the group, treat each other with respect, feel confident about their abilities, and achieve higher success in accomplishing goals. Such positive climates can also foster optimism and confidence in the face of obstacles. A self-confident, cohesive group tends to minimize problems, eliminate barriers, and cope well with crises (Folger, Poole, & Stutman, 2001). In general, cohesive groups perform better than noncohesive groups on decision-making tasks (for example, selecting a course of action more quickly and making more informed choices) (Carless & DePaola, 2000). Nonverbal communication is also influenced by group cohesion; Yasui (2009) found that cohesive group members often repeat and build on one another’s gestures.

You can determine group cohesion in two ways. First, take a look at how the participants feel about their own membership in the group. Members of a cohesive group are enthusiastic, identify with the purposes of the group, and tell outsiders about its activities. Even positive, constructive argumentation (as opposed to verbal aggressiveness) can be a sign of group cohesiveness (Anderson & Martin, 1999). Second, consider how well the group retains members. A cohesive group will retain more members than a noncohesive group. The more satisfaction and fulfillment members feel through their group participation, the more cohesive the group.

Gouran (2003) offers several practical suggestions for increasing cohesion and fostering a more positive group experience:

Avoid dominating other group members.
Stay focused on the tasks the group must accomplish.
Be friendly.
Show sensitivity to and respect for other members.
Demonstrate that you value others’ opinions.
Cooperate with other members rather than compete with them.

Clearly, cohesive groups offer tremendous benefits, but too much cohesion can actually cause the group to be unproductive. For example, if you and the other members of your study group enjoy each other’s company to the point that you never get your work done, then you’ll be unlikely to achieve your goal: doing well on an exam! In addition, excessive cohesion can lead to groupthink, an important group factor that we discuss next.