Question

Describe social psychologist Muzafer Sherif’s five elements of a social group as they apply to either a sports team (chose a specific sport) OR a musical band. Please number each of the elements and describe how these are enacted by either your sports team or your musical group.

Answer 1

Muzafer Sherif is credited for his contribution to the field of sociology by highlighting importance of groups dynamics according to Sherif a group is a unit consisting of more than one individual interacting with one another. One of the critical feature of a group is that an each member of the group have to work towards a pre-determined goal.

The five elements of a social group as they apply to a musical band are described below. A band or a musical band is a name given to a group of people whose common goal is to produce music, such groups consist of talented musicians from all around.Thereby based on Sherif's interpretation of the elements of a social group this musician band :

1) Will come together "as they all have a sense and determination to pursue one common goal", i.e.to produce good music and perform at concerts hence each and everyone in the group will be motivated towards one goal.

2)A common vote may/ may not appoint a leader for the group however with or without the leader the "division of labor" i.e. work or tasks will be delegated to each member of the group as per their skills. Example : the one good at piano will be given the task to create music over the piano, the one with good hold over vocals will be given the task to memorize and sing and so on. The key here is to have each member perform and showcase their best skills and strengths as these strengths together pooled will determine bands success.

3)The third stage that the band goes through is having "established status relationships"that is having given each member a status in a group and respecting the same.

4)Once the status relationships are established "the group norms and values are formulated"for an optimal day to day group functioning where in band would have standardized norms of pre-determined timings for jamming sessions ; number of sets each team member has to work upon each day ; contribution of ideas from each band member.

5)Finally once the band reaches onto accepting a common set of norms a "common set of punishments" and discrimination will be decided applicable to each member for violating the laws and norms. However in both the cases the decisions are made on common grounds, through a common vote.