AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Group dynamics: Task and social.
Within group dynamics, cohesion is commonly separated into task cohesion and social cohesion.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 9
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Within group dynamics, cohesion is commonly separated into task cohesion and social cohesion. Task cohesion is the degree to which group members work together towards shared performance goals, such as a hockey team executing the same pressing system or a relay squad agreeing split times. Social cohesion is the degree to which members like each other and enjoy being together, shown through friendships and positive relationships within the squad. The two types can vary independently: a highly social team may lack task focus, while a task-focused team may have weaker personal bonds. Coaches can develop task cohesion through shared goals, clear roles and reviewing performance, and social cohesion through team-building, shared experiences and good communication.
What earns the marks
- Defines task cohesion as unity around shared performance goals and coordinated effort.
- Defines social cohesion as the quality of interpersonal relationships and mutual liking within the group.
- Explains that task and social cohesion are separate dimensions that can vary independently.
- Applies both types to sporting examples, such as a hockey team's pressing system (task) and squad friendships (social).
- Describes strategies that develop each type, including shared goals and clear roles for task cohesion, and team-building for social cohesion.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the two types by labelling friendship as task cohesion.
Put it right: Friendship reflects social cohesion, while task cohesion concerns shared performance goals.
Assuming one type always causes the other.
Put it right: Task and social cohesion can vary independently, so a socially close team may still lack task focus.
Thinking only one type matters for performance.
Put it right: Both contribute to group dynamics, though task cohesion is more directly linked to coordinated performance.
Exam tips
- Match each option to the precise definition of task or social cohesion before choosing.
- Use a quick sporting example for each type to check whether the option fits.
- Reject options that merge the two types or claim one automatically produces the other.
Try the lesson
The start of the Group dynamics: Task and social. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A rowing eight has a clear shared aim of winning the national schools' final, and the crew also meet regularly for meals and social events. Which term describes the shared aim of winning the final?
Listen
Within group dynamics, cohesion is commonly separated into task cohesion and social cohesion. Task cohesion is the degree to which group members work together towards shared performance goals, such as a hockey team executing the same pressing system or a relay squad agreeing split times. Social cohesion is the degree to which members like each other and enjoy being together, shown through friendships and positive relationships within the squad. The two types can vary independently: a highly social team may lack task focus, while a task-focused team may have weaker personal bonds. Coaches can develop task cohesion through shared goals, clear roles and reviewing performance, and social cohesion through team-building, shared experiences and good communication. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Defines task cohesion as unity around shared performance goals and coordinated effort. Defines social cohesion as the quality of interpersonal relationships and mutual liking within the group. Explains that task and social cohesion are separate dimensions that can vary independently. Applies both types to sporting examples, such as a hockey team's pressing system (task) and squad friendships (social). A common slip: Confusing the two types by labelling friendship as task cohesion. Instead, friendship reflects social cohesion, while task cohesion concerns shared performance goals. Exam tip: Match each option to the precise definition of task or social cohesion before choosing.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Task cohesion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Social cohesion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Team building
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Task cohesion
- The degree to which group members work together towards shared performance goals.
- Social cohesion
- The degree to which members like each other and enjoy being together, shown through friendships and positive relationships within the squad.
- Team building
- A strategy through which coaches can develop social cohesion, along with shared experiences and good communication.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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