Conducive psychological situation in group environment cannot always take place as expected. In such situation, members of the group have the perception that work environment is dynamic, quiet, comfortable, peaceful, trustworthy and warm while there is active interaction among the members, particularly on decision making. A research that examined group situation and leadership showed the different criteria between effective group leaders.
According to Moordiningsih, S.Psi., M.Si., lecturer of Faculty of Psychology, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, the differences depend on the cultural context of that community, meaning collective or individualistic culture. In a collective culture, a good leader is an individual who can encourage positive interaction between members. He can also create cooperative and cohesive group situation. On the contrary, in individualistic culture, a good leader is an individual who can focus on the target achievement of the group while respecting the achievement of the members rather than the group dynamics.
“The cooperative, cohesive, dynamic and conducive psychological situation will affect the group’s performance, particularly in a collective culture,†said Moordiningsih at UGM, Thursday (29/10). The statement was delivered during the open examination for her doctoral programme in the Faculty of Psychology, UGM. The lady born in Sukoharjo on 15 December 1974 defended her dissertation entitled “The Effects of Group Psychological Situation on Decision Making†with the promoter Sugiyanto, Ph.D and co-promoters Prof. Dr. Faturochman and Prof. Th. Dicky Hastjarjo, Ph.D.
She said that the non-conducive group psychological situation can become a source of real problems and can influence the performance of the group. The example is the conflicts at macro-level that often occur in Parliament, such as those back in 2005 when they discussed the increase in fuel prices.
“A conflict between MPs once occurred. They forgot who they are, starting to call names, push the body of a colleague, point a finger at each other, or yell at their opponents and say harsh words,†said Moordiningsih.
The wife of Ir. Nanung Nur Zula, M.T. said that apart from politics, the non-conducive situation also affects the panel of judges in decision making and law enactment. Her research showed that one of the factors affecting the verdict is external; these are social pressures exerted on the judges by officials, bribery, graft and threats.
In education, the most distressing case is student demonstrations that often lead to acts of destruction damaging learning facilities, group fighting and physical attacks. “These showed the less conducive psychological situation or academic atmosphere to support student learning,†added the mother of two children who earned cum laude distinction in the examination.
Therefore, she continued, greater attention needs to be given to the performance of higher learning, especially if we look at the data issued by the Higher Learning Directorate General, showing that of all 2,684 Indonesian universities, only 50 or 1.86% have good performance and credibility nationally; they are also interested in working with international institutions.
Â