group Consists of two or more people who interact regularly to accomplish a common purpose or goal

functional group A group created by the organization to accomplish a number of organizational purposes with an indefinite time horizon

informal or interest group Created by its members for purposes that may or may not be relevant to those of the organization

task group A group created by the organization to accomplish a relatively narrow range of purposes within a stated or implied time horizon

team A group of workers that functions as a unit, often with little or no supervision, to carry out work-related tasks, functions, and activities

roles The parts individuals play in groups in helping the group reach its goals

role structure The set of defined roles and interrelationships among those roles that the group members define and accept

role ambiguity Arises when the sent role is unclear and the individual does not know what is expected of him or her

role conflict Occurs when the messages and cues comprising the sent role are clear but contradictory or mutually exclusive

role overload Occurs when expectations for the role exceed the individual's capabilities to perform

norms Standards of behavior that the group accepts and expects of its members

socialization Generalized norm conformity that occurs as a person makes the transition from being an outsider to being an insider in the organization

cohesiveness The extent to which members are loyal and committed to the group; the degree of mutual attractiveness within the group

informal leader A person who engages in leadership activities but whose right to do so has not been formally recognized by the organization or group

conflict A disagreement between two or more individuals or groups