Defining Group Theory and the Associated Skills to Form a Successful Group

 Introduction 

Johnson and Johnson in their corroboration Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills present strong data supporting group theory and its’ dynamics and associated elements. Group theory in is simplest form is the combination of constructs and dynamics that is necessary to develop, maintain and support a successful group and group outcome. 

Group Theory Elements and Dynamics 

According to Johnson & Johnson there are five major elements that must be present for a group to successfully reach a goal. The five elements are positive interdependence, individual accountability, promotive interaction, appropriate use of social skills, and group processing. One of the factors established in group dynamics is that to have a group, two or more must be present and in like mindset of achieving a common goal. For this goal to be achieved certain skills must be present for a successful outcome.  

The skills required to have a successful group, and certainly to have a successful outcome, involve every group
member and certainly his or her participation and commitment. As listed by the authors one of the elements, positive interdependence of group members is necessary to have a successful group. This particular element ensures that one member cannot succeed without coordinating his or her efforts with all the other group members to complete the task. This specific element also helps to eliminate diffusion of group responsibility. Each group member must partake equally and effectively in achieving the set goal so all members must have the same set of motivational factors.
First and foremost to be successful the group must achieve its goals, maintain a good working relationship among its’ members, and lastly be able to adapt to the changing conditions it meets during the process of accomplishing the goal (Johnson & Johnson, 2000 P. 12).