THE INFLUENCE OF THE GROUP AND ITS COHESIVENESS ON PERCEPTIONS OF GROUP GOAL-RELATED VARIABLES

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the influence of the group on variables related to group goals. First, group goal clarity, commitment, behavioral influence, and group cohesion were hypothesized to predict satisfaction with group goals. Second, the amount of perceived participative goal setting was hypothesized to relate to the above variables and cohesion. Third, the proposed relationships were hypothesized to change in form over time. It was found that aspects of group cohesion and group goal influence were the most reliable predictors of group goal satisfaction for both practice and competition. Results support the notion that participation in goal setting is strongly related to other member perceptions describing ''groupness.'' As suggested by Moreland and Levine (1988), these results emphasize that group properties of teams are not static but vary in their influence, most likely as a function of the changing processes associated with group development and socialization.