Group Performance

Do groups enhance or impair performance? Introduction: Does the thought of a “group project” send shivers down your spine?  If so, you aren’t alone.  Many students prefer working alone to working in a group.  But before you dismiss the benefits of working together, let’s explore what the research says about whether groups enhance, or impair, performance. This assignment fulfills/Supports: Module Outcome:1 Course Outcome:1 General Education Competencies:1. 3 The Assignment: For this Assignment, complete the following steps: Step 1: Using the FTCC Library (either in-person or online), explore scholarly research on the following concepts: The social facilitation effect Social loafing Deindividuation Group polarization Groupthink Step 2: In a paper, thoroughly discuss the following: Based on your research, choose at least two of the concepts listed above and discuss how they could IMPAIR performance on a group task (identify a group task/activity and apply your discussion to that task).  Here’s an  example: Social loafing is a common occurrance in academic group work.  When students are assigned a group project, there may be one or more social loafers in the group who do not complete their “fair share” of the work.  This happens because people who are part of a group feel slightly less responsible for the outcome and therefore don’t work as hard as they would if they were completing a project alone.  When this happens, other group members pick up the slack left by the social loafers.  Ultimately, this can impair group performance because…(explain how social loafing impairs group performance using the information from your research and your textbook). Remember- group work doesn’t always occur in an academic setting.  We work together in groups at our jobs, in our homes, and in social settings.   Next, discuss at least two ways that working in a group can ENHANCE performance on the same task you identified above.   Your answer must be based on information from the scholarly sources you found through the FTCC Library and your textbook.  However, you may add anecdotal information from your own life to justify your position.  Citing Sources:   You must use APA style to reference your source(s) at the end of your submission.  For this assignment, you must include reference information for your textbook and any articles or publications you use.  Information on how to format reference information (including a reference generator) in APA style can be found on the Purdue Online Writing Lab website at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html (opens in a new window). Acceptable Length: Minimum of 1 typed page. Formatting Requirements: Use 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font Use double line spacing in the document 1-inch margins all around Grading criteria: For full points you must fully comply with each component of the Assignment Rubric. To Submit: Click on the “Module 9 Written Assignment” link above.  When the new page opens, scroll to the “Assignment Submission” area and click “Browse My Computer”.  Attach your document (must be in .doc, .docx, .pdf or .rtf format) and click “Submit”.