The purpose of this paper is to review the group cohesion literature. The presented review first covers those findings that have been relatively well-established and then examines current research trends in the field.
Group Cohesion: The Established Findings
The great bulk of the literature on group cohesion or cohesiveness has been based on what Mudrack (1989) has termed "traditional definitions." These definitions, Mudrack states, center around the concept of a bond, a feeling of solidarity, harmony, and/or commitment on the part of group members. In other words, the cohesive group has a sense of connectedness, a feeling of unity that transcends individualistic differences or motives, and there is a force of attraction between the group and its members.
Studies utilizing one or more of these traditional definitions of group cohesion have been associated with several replicable observances. Specifically, it has been observed that interaction among members is smoother, occurs more frequently, and is more pleasant in cohesive groups (Back, 1951: Lott & Lott, 1961; Shaw & Shaw, 1962). Also, conflicts among members are resolved more easily (Shaw, 1981).
Another well-established finding in the group cohesion literature is that when group members like one another, cohesiveness is high; indeed, Crano and Messe (1982) pointed out that based on the consistency of the foregoing finding, researchers have often measured cohesiveness by assessing the amount of mutual liking among group members.
It has also been observed that people's motivation to remain in a group is influenced by the instrumental goals of the group (Brawley, 1990). In other words, we often participate in groups as a means to an end--e.g., as a way to earn a salary, to play a sport we enjoy, or to work for a worthy cause. Our attraction to a group thus depends on the match between our own needs and goals, and the activities and goals of the group.
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