ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH AND
LOW MORALE, GROUP BEHAVIOUR
SUBMITTED TO: SUMBITTED BY:
Fr. AJU PHILIP VARGHESE ANJALI SASI
HEAD OF THE DEPT MSW S1
DEPT. OF SOCIAL WORK DEPT. OF SOCIAL WORK
ST. THOMAS COLLEGE ST. THOMAS COLLEGE
KONNI KONNI
SUBMITTED ON:24/06/2021
INTRODUCTION
Human beings behave differently in different situations. When alone the human being’s
behaviour will be different as compared to the individual’s behaviour when in a group. Thus,
the behaviour of an individual differs from the individual’s behaviour in group situations.
Generally, in a group situation, a person is expected to behave according to the norms of the
group. Group often exerts powerful effects on human being and, accordingly, human being
behaves following the norms of the group
1. DEFINITION
According to Leighton, “morale is the capacity of a group of people to pull together
persistently and consistently in pursuit of a common purpose”.
1.1 HIGH MORALE
High morale exists when the members ’s attitude is favourable to the total situation of a
group and to the attainment of its objectives. They display certain attribute like spirit, zest,
enthusiasm, loyalty, honesty, dependability, resistance to frustration etc.
1.1.1 Effects
Better quality of work, Job satisfaction, cheaper goods and services, lower cost, higher
profits, better wages, employment stability, low absenteeism, low labour turnover,
employees’ initiative, regularity and punctuality, good discipline, fewer industrial
accidents, stability and growth of the organisation and sound industrial relation.
1.1.2 CHARACTERISTICS
a. A keen team work on part of the employees
b. Organizational commitment and sense of belongingness in the employee’s mind
c. Immediate conflict identification and resolution
d. Healthy and safe work environment
e. Effective communication in the organization
f. Increase in productivity
g. Grater motivation
1.2 LOW MORALE
If member is dissatisfied, irritated, cranky, critical, restless, and pessimistic then he is
described as having poor or low morale.
1.2.1 Effects
Apathy and non-involvement, Fatigue and monotony, High labour turnover, Work
stoppages, High rate of Absenteeism, Disciplinary problem, Restriction of output,
Increased grievances, Labour unrest, Strike, Wastage and spoilage.
1.2.2 CHARACTERISTICS
a. Grater grievances and conflicts in organization
b. High rate of employee absenteeism and turnover
c. Dissatisfaction with the superiors and employers
d. Poor working conditions
e. Employee’s frustration
f. Decrease in productivity
g. Lack of motivation
2. GROUP BEHAVIOR
Group behaviour is the attitude, feeling and thought of a collection of people that can be
observed or noticed.
Behaviour that occurs when two or more people interact is the subject of the study
of behaviour in groups. The presence of others may promote a variety of behavioural
processes.
2.1 INTERPERSONAL ATTRACTION
Interpersonal attraction refers to positive feelings about another person. It can take many
forms, including liking, love, friendship, infatuation, lust, and admiration.
2.1.1 Definition
According to Baron & Byrne, Interpersonal Attraction is defined as the evaluation one
person makes of another along a dimension that ranges from strong liking to strong
dislike
2.1.2 Four sources of attraction
a. Proximity:
It is generally said that close proximity fosters liking. Two people are likely to be
acquainted if there is physical proximity between them. Whether it is classroom seats,
hostel rooms, residential flats or office desks, proximity is a very important factor in
attraction.
b. Similarity:
Similarity plays a very important role in interpersonal attraction. There is a famous
saying that states “birds of same feather flock together”. This finding was also
confirmed in many studies. There is another saying that opposites attract. But there is
strong evidence that similarity and not complementarity is the basis of attraction. People
usually find it more rewarding to have a relationship with someone who shares the same
attitudes, interests, values and experiences as they do.
c. Self-Disclosure:
It takes time to develop the trust necessary to share intimate details about oneself.
Generally, we want to spend time around those who know us best.
d. Physical Attractiveness:
Physical attraction plays a role in who we choose as friends, although not as much so
as in whom we choose as a mate. Nonetheless, we tend to choose people who we
believe to be attractive and who are close to how we see our own physical
attractiveness.
2.2 AGGRESSION
2.2.1 Definition
According to Baron & Byrne Aggression is any form of behaviour directed towards the
goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such
treatment
2.2.2 Causes
a. Mental health.
b. Family structure.
c. Relationships with others.
d. Work or school environment.
e. Societal or socioeconomic factors.
f. Individual traits.
g. Life experiences.
2.2.3 Types of Aggression
There are two broad categories of aggression.
a. Hostile aggression (also known as affective or retaliatory aggression)
Hostile aggression is accompanied by strong emotions, particularly anger, and is
associated with impulsive, unplanned, or uncontrolled behaviour. Harming the other
person is the goal of this kind of aggression.
b. Instrumental aggression (also referred to as predatory or goal-oriented
aggression).
Instrumental aggression, in contrast, is a means to an end. It is often referred to as
predatory aggression and is associated with goal-oriented, planned, hidden, or
controlled behaviour. In instrumental aggression, harming the person is used to obtain
some other goal, such as money.
2.3 ALTRUISM
Altruism describes behaviour motivated by the goal of increasing someone else’s welfare.
In contrast, egoism defines acts driven by our self-interest (Batson, Ahmad, & Lishner,
2020).
The term was coined in the 19th century by Auguste Comte and he derived it from the
Italian altrui, which in turn was derived from Latin alteri, meaning "other people" or
"somebody else"
2.3.1 Types of Altruism
Psychologists have identified several different types of altruistic behaviour. These
include:
a. Genetic altruism: As the name suggests, this type of altruism involves engaging in
altruistic acts that benefit close family members. For example, parents and other
family members often engage in acts of sacrifice in order to provide for the needs of
family members.
b. Reciprocal altruism: This type of altruism is based on a mutual give-and-take
relationship. It involves helping another person now because they may one day be
able to return the favor.
c. Group-selected altruism: This involves engaging in altruistic acts for people based
upon their group affiliation. People might direct their efforts toward helping people
who are part of their social group or supporting social causes that benefit a specific
group.
d. Pure altruism: Also known as moral altruism, this form involves helping someone
else, even when it is risky, without any reward. It is motivated by internalized values
and morals.
2.4 ATTITUDES
In psychology, an attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviours toward a
particular object, person, thing, or event
2.4.1 Definition
Carl Jung's definition of attitude is a "readiness of the psyche to act or react in a certain
way"
2.4.2 Factors
a. Psychological
The attitude of a person is determined by psychological factors like ideas, values, beliefs,
perception, etc. All these have a complex role in determining a person's attitude. Values
are ideals, guiding principles in one's life, or overarching goals that people strive to obtain.
b. Family
Family plays a significant role in the primary stage of attitudes held by individuals.
Initially, a person develops certain attitudes from their parents, brothers, sister, and elders
in the family. In turn, a person may adapt the attitudes they learn from their family and
use them in future relationships. There is a high degree of relationship between parent and
children in attitudes found in them.
c. Society
Societies play an important role in formatting the attitudes of an individual. Culture,
tradition, religion and language can influence a person's attitudes. Society, traditions, and
cultures teach individuals what is and what is not acceptable. Society sets motivations and
goals for individuals to want and aspire to achieve, and is likely to condemn those who
do not accept these goals as their own.
d. Economic
A person's attitude also depends on issues such as his salary, status, work environment,
work as such, etc. These circumstances are motivating factors in the way that they interact
with employers, employees, co-workers and patrons.
2.4.3 Attitude component model
a. Cognitive Component: Your thoughts and beliefs about the subject
b. Affective Component: How the object, person, issue, or event makes you feel
c. Behavioural Component: How attitude influences your behaviour
CONCLUSION
Group interaction is a two-way process whereby each individual member in the group
stimulates the other and also in varying degrees and thereby modifies the behaviour of the
group members. The behaviour and personality characteristics of individual members of a
group affect the behaviour of others in the same group. Thus, there is a significant impact of
each of the members in a group over the functioning of the group as a whole.
REFERENCE:
a. Saravanakumar, Ar (2019, January). Aspects of Group Behavior- Organizational
Behaviour. Tamilnadu: Alagappa University.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330409522_Aspects_of_GROUP_BEHAVI
OUR
b. Witte, H, Erich (2018, October). Understanding Group Behaviour: Small Group Processes
and Interpersonal Relations. University of Humberg
https://www.researchgate.net/institution/University_of_Hamburg
c. Forsyth, R, Donelson (2012, September) Social Influence and Group Behavior.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118133880.hop205014
