Group dynamics

The term group dynamics implies that individual behaviours may differ depending on individuals' current or prospective connections to a sociological group. Urges to belong or to identify may make for distinctly different attitudes (recognised or unrecognised), and the influence of a group may rapidly become strong, influencing or overwhelming individual proclivities and actions.

Group dynamics form a basis for much group therapy. Politicians and salesmen may make practical exploitations of principles of group dynamics for their own ends.

Compare crowd psychology.

A group goes through four main phases: forming (pretending to get on), storming (knowing they don't get on and being angry), norming (getting used to each other) and performing (working in a group to a common goal). It should be noted that this refers to the majority of the group, but of course individuals in a group work different ways.

Also see

• Group-dynamic game
• interpersonal relationships[?]