This document provides reading and discussion assignments for a class on group behavior and dynamics. Students are instructed to read two chapters from a textbook on group attraction and cohesiveness, and review an online resource on managing groups. They are also asked to participate in two discussions - one on how group cohesiveness impacts productivity, and another on how group norms influence conformity or independence. Students are expected to share examples from their own experiences and respond to other classmates' posts.

1. Readings
Read the following chapters in:
Group Behavior in Organizations:
Chapter 5: Attraction to Groups
Chapter 6: Group Cohesiveness
Recommended Websites
Mind Tools
. (http://www.mindtools.com/).
This site has articles and assessments for analyzing groups and
helpful hints for group leaders on managing and improving
group effectiveness. It supports the “Group Cohesion and
Productivity” discussion for this week.
Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week's
Discussion
link in the left navigation.
Group Cohesion and Productivity
Describe your most positive experience in working on a group
project in which the group’s cohesiveness led to greater work
productivity. Have you experienced a situation that was just the
opposite – a situation in which group cohesiveness negatively
impacted the productivity of the project? Provide examples to
support your descriptions.
Norms and Conformity
Norms influence behavior conformity among group members.
What factors will influence group members to conform to a

2. group’s norms, and when will members remain independent? Do
individuals who do not conform to the group’s norms ever
succeed in influencing the rest of the group? Provide examples
to support your analysis. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts.