Differential Effects of Group Cohesiveness Types: A Clarifying Overview

Group cohesiveness is one of the processes focused upon by the extensive research in the investigation of characteristics of the small group. However, the research literature generally deals with socio-emotional cohesiveness, namely, that based on personal attraction between the individuals. Nevertheless, there are also studies which question this single-structure (one structural) type approach to cohesiveness.The present article presents a differentiation between two types of cohesiveness according to the factors of its formation and preservation - cohesiveness on a socio-emotional basis and cohesiveness on an instrumental basis.In addition, a further contribution has been made in this regard through discussion of possible distinct implications associated with each type of cohesiveness in three major areas of small group research: (1) Interpersonal communication; (2) processes of social influence; (3) group performance.