Eight students in Pune have run a college dance team together for three years. They speak of the team as 'us', stand by one another after a poor show, and none of them has ever thought of joining another team.
Consider the following statements about this team:
(A) Its members are likely to think, feel and act as a social unit, and less like isolated individuals.
(B) Compared with members of a low cohesive group, its members have a smaller desire to remain in the group.
(C) It would be easy for an outsider to gain membership of this team.
(D) If this togetherness became extreme, it could lead to groupthink, which may not be in the team's interest.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Only two
(A) Its members are likely to think, feel and act as a social unit, and less like isolated individuals. — Correct. The team shows cohesiveness, the 'we feeling' or sense of belongingness among members. As a group becomes more cohesive, members act as a social unit rather than as isolated individuals.
(B) Compared with members of a low cohesive group, its members have a smaller desire to remain in the group. — Incorrect. The direction is reversed. Members of a highly cohesive group have a greater desire to remain in it than members of a low cohesive group.
(C) It would be easy for an outsider to gain membership of this team. — Incorrect. A highly cohesive group is hard to enter. It is difficult to gain membership of such a group, just as it is difficult to leave it.
(D) If this togetherness became extreme, it could lead to groupthink, which may not be in the team's interest. — Correct. Extreme cohesiveness is not always good for a group. Groupthink is a consequence of extreme cohesiveness, so too much togetherness can work against the team.
NCERT (2026-27): “Stages of Group Formation … |