The extent to which a group will abide by and enforce its norms depends on its degree of cohesiveness. Group cohesiveness is the attractiveness and closeness group members have for one another and for the group. The more cohesive the group, the more its members stick together as a team.

The more desirable group membership is, the more willing the members are to behave according to the team’s norms. For example, if some team members drink too much and/or take drugs, the team may develop a norm of taking drugs. This peer pressure often wins out. To be accepted by the team, members will behave in ways they really don’t agree with.

Many research studies have compared cohesive and noncohesive teams and concluded that cohesive teams tend to have a higher level of success at achieving their objectives, with greater job satisfaction. Unfortunately, sometime the objectives and norms are personal negative that hold back team and organizational performance.

Strive to develop cohesive groups that accept positive norms. The use of participation helps the group develop cohesiveness while it builds agreement and commitment toward its objective(s) (goal orientation). While some intragroup competition may be helpful, focus primarily on intergroup competition.