Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Team / Español: Equipo / Português: Equipe / Français: Équipe / Italiano: Squadra

In psychology, a team refers to a group of individuals who interact dynamically, interdependently, and adaptively to achieve shared and valued objectives. Teams are studied to understand how various psychological factors influence group dynamics, performance, cohesion, and the overall functioning within group settings.

Description

The psychological study of teams focuses on the interactions and processes that occur when people come together to work towards common goals. This includes how teams form, develop, and perform, as well as how they resolve conflicts and make decisions. Psychological theories and models often explore the roles of communication, leadership, motivation, and personality in team dynamics.

One key aspect of team psychology is the concept of cohesion, which is the extent to which team members stick together and remain united in pursuing their objectives. High cohesion within a team can lead to increased satisfaction, better performance, and lower turnover. However, too much cohesion can also lead to groupthink, where the desire for harmony or conformity results in dysfunctional decision-making processes.

Application Areas

Teams are relevant in several psychological fields, such as:

• Organizational psychology: Focuses on optimizing team performance and dynamics in the workplace.
• Sports psychology: Examines how psychological factors affect performance in sports teams, including aspects like team cohesion and mental toughness.
• Military psychology: Studies team strategies, leadership, and group dynamics in military contexts to enhance effectiveness and adaptability under stress.

Well-Known Examples

Key studies and theories on teams in psychology include:

• Bruce Tuckman’s stages of group development: Tuckman’s model proposes that teams go through stages of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning, each of which has distinct psychological and behavioral characteristics.
• The Belbin Team Roles: Meredith Belbin identified specific roles that individuals can play in teams, such as "Shaper," "Implementer," and "Completer Finisher," which help in understanding how diversity of roles contributes to team effectiveness.

Treatment and Risks

The dynamics within a team can significantly impact individual mental health and group outcomes. Poorly functioning teams may lead to stress, burnout, and interpersonal conflicts, while effective teams can enhance psychological well-being and professional satisfaction. Interventions in team settings might focus on leadership development, conflict resolution strategies, and team-building exercises designed to enhance communication and cohesion.

Similar Terms

In psychology, related terms include:

• Group dynamics: Refers to the psychological processes involved when people interact in groups, which is broader and not limited to goal-oriented teams.
• Collaboration: The act of working together to produce or create something, which is a component of team dynamics.

Weblinks

• top500.de: 'Team' in the glossary of the top500.de
• allerwelt-lexikon.de: 'Team' in the allerwelt-lexikon.de (German)

Articles with 'Team' in the title

• Team Building: Team Building refers to the following: (1) The process of team members committing to work together toward the same end, even though each member may participate in different ways
• Management teams: Management teams is a term used in industrial and organizational psychology that refer to teams that coordinate, manage, advice, and direct employees and teams
• Project teams: Project teams refer to groups formed to produce one-time outputs, such as developing a new product, creating a new software system, or hiring a new employee
• Team Collaboration: Team Collaboration: Team collaboration refers to the process by which individuals work together cohesively to achieve common goals. In psychology, this concept involves understanding the dynamics of group interactions, communication, and . . .

Summary

In psychology, a team is more than just a group of people; it is a complex unit that functions based on psychological principles of interaction, cohesion, and shared goals. Understanding and improving team dynamics is crucial for enhancing performance and satisfaction in various settings, from corporate environments to sports and beyond.

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