Disadvantages of working in groups

Despite the potential benefits of group learning, group learning models are rare in contemporary universities. The key reasons for this are that

1. complex group dynamics can introduce disadvantages that outweigh the advantages and
2. teachers and students lack the skills necessary to collaborate in learning.

Acknowledging the potential problems with groups can help a learning team identify strategies for reducing negative influences. Common problems with groups include the following:

• Poorly formed and poorly managed groups can be less productive and more difficult than individuals.
• Coordinating groups can take more time, energy, and resources than coordinating individuals.
• Groups tend to reach decisions more slowly than individuals do.
• Groups can diminish the ability of individuals to make ethical decisions. This means that a group can pressure individuals to do unethical or illegal activities that an individual may not do alone.
• People problems can threaten performance and satisfaction. For example, individual group members can be stubborn, lazy, unprepared, non-participative, or domineering. Likewise, negative conflict among members can threaten group viability.
• Group members and group leaders may lack the knowledge and skills to collaborate successfully for mutual success.