What effect does team cohesion have on group performance?

Team cohesion plays a critical role in enhancing group performance, primarily through fostering collaboration among team members. When a team is cohesive, members share strong interpersonal relationships, trust, and a sense of belonging, which encourages them to work together more effectively. This collaborative environment can lead to improved communication, as team members are more likely to share their ideas and perspectives freely.

Additionally, cohesive teams often have a clear understanding of their common goals, which aligns individual efforts toward achieving those objectives. As a result, motivation is heightened within the group, leading to increased commitment to tasks, improved problem-solving, and overall higher levels of productivity.

In contrast, options that suggest increased turnover rates or negative impacts on communication underestimate the positive effects of cohesion. A cohesive team is generally more stable, with lower turnover, and benefits from enhanced communication skills. The idea that cohesion has no significant effect on group dynamics overlooks the fundamental ways in which strong relationships among team members can drive performance outcomes. Thus, the correct answer highlights the connection between team cohesion and improved performance through collaboration.