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Social Cohesion

Definition

"Nature and quality of the emotional bonds of friendship, liking, caring, and closeness among group members, which reflects a general preference for spending time with those with whom one shares an emotional bond." (MacCoun, 1996, p. 157)

  • MacCoun, R. (1996). Sexual Orientation and Military Cohesion: A Critical Review of the evidence. In Out In Force: Sexual Orientation and the Military. University of Chicago Press. 

Key References 

  • Barrick, M. R., Stewart, G. L., Neubert, M. J., & Mount, M. K. (1998). Relating member ability and personality to work-team processes and team effectiveness. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83(3), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.83.3.377
    • Addressed the importance of social cohesion on team outcomes due to its relationship with multiple team process factors (team conflict, viability, communication, etc.).
  • Friedkin, N. E. (2004). Social Cohesion. Annual Review of Sociology, 30(1), 409–425. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.30.012703.110625 
    • Review of construct definitions of social cohesion construct definition on the group and individual level and suggests expansion of research surrounding social networks.
  • Carron, A. V., Colman, M. M., Wheeler, J., & Stevens, D. (2002). Cohesion and Performance in Sport: A Meta Analysis. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 24(2), 168-188. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.24.2.168 
    • Meta-analysis of studies using the GEQ to measure task, social, and nondescript cohesion in sports. Results suggested the cohesion-performance relationship has a cyclical nature such that cohesion (task and social) influences performance and performance in turn influences future cohesion.

Key Measurements

  • Carron, A. V., Widmeyer, W. N., & Brawley, L. R. (1985). The development of an instrument to assess cohesion in sport teams: the Group Environment Questionnaire. Journal of Sport Psychology, 7(3), 244–266. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsp.7.3.244
    • Carron et al 1985 Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ): primarily adapted for team use, 18 item survey.

Recent Articles 

  • Schiefer, D., & van der Noll, J. (2016). The Essentials of Social Cohesion: A literature review. Social Indicators Research, 132(2), 579–603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-016-1314-5. 
    • Reviews literature on recent approaches to social cohseion.
    • Defines three dimensions of social cohesion: social relations, identification with geographical unit, and orientation towards common good.
  • Chuang, Y.C., Chuang, K.Y., & Yang, T.H. (2013). Social Cohesion Matters in health. International Journal for Equity in Health, 12(1), 87. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-12-87 
    • Examines the concept of social cohesion in individual health care.
  • Novy, A., Swiatek, D. C., & Moulaert, F. (2012). Social Cohesion: A conceptual and political elucidation. Urban Studies, 49(9), 1873–1889. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098012444878 
    • Clarifies the concept of social cohesion in the context of socioeconomic development.