Group Dynamics: Psychology of Group Behavior

Everyone can gain an advantage in their social world by understanding the ways in which social interaction is structured and the ways that groups influence our behavior and our sense of identity. You'll learn the psychology of group dynamics. In this course we cover five core topics relating to group psychology Inclusion and Identity - Learn how we internalize group values and goals and how our social groups become part of the way we identify ourselves.

We'll explore how these identity processes influence our behavior and how they can lead to a sense of group cohesion. Group Formation Principles - Learn what types of people are attracted to group settings and what types of factors contribute to attraction and relationship formation. We'll also explore the different individual motivations that drive people into group settings and explore ways of overcoming social anxiety and loneliness.

Group Development and Group Cohesion - Learn how all groups go through a predictable set of stages and how these stages influence behavior. We'll explore what cohesion is and how it builds over time and look at how cohesion can lead to higher rates of member satisfaction, group productivity and group effectiveness. Group Structure - Learn how groups structure your behavior through informal rules (norms) and role assignments.

We'll look at how extremely powerful these norms and roles are at controlling behavior and how this structure leads to higher levels of group cohesion. Environmental Factors of Group Behavior - Learn how the places and spaces that groups meet in are just as powerful as the interpersonal processes in influencing how you behave and how you identify yourself. We'll look at ways that you can design the best types of places and spaces to promote group satisfaction and productivity and look at how we psychologically maintain personal space in different settings.