THE EFFECT OF GROUP SIZE AND PERFORMANCE ON TEAM COHESION

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to establish whether group size effects team cohesion, with the secondary aim to check whether cohesion was affected by performance. To investigate the two aims stated, participants (n=42) were recruited from university netball, hockey, and basketball teams, completing the group environment questionnaire over five consecutive weeks. To measure the effect of performance on cohesion, player ratings were collected the after the game for the same five consecutive weeks, then GEQ’s were handed out at the next training session. Results were analysed using SPSS (statistical package for the social sciences). A MANOVA was conducted to find the differences in cohesion for sport, and the effect of time on cohesion. Differences in sport was found to be significant, Wilk’s lambda = .025, F(8,72) = 2.377, p < .03, along with the effect of time on cohesion, Wilk’s lambda = .055, F(16,24) = 2.045, p < 0.06. A correlational analysis found that overall, performance did not affect cohesion. In conclusion, sport type did have an effect on cohesion; however this was not due to group size, warranting further research. The main practical implication from the study suggests that to stop cohesion decreasing over time, attraction to group should be focused on, and when trying to increase cohesion between teams, group integration needs to be focused on. Future research should concentrate on the differences found in the results from a within subject design and a between subjects design. This will show whether group size only affects cohesion within sports.