Success and Residential Affiliation as Determinants of Team Cohesiveness

Abstract

Abstract The influence of success and residential affiliation on the postseason cohesiveness of college intramural basketball teams was determined. In addition, whether or not an initial difference existed in the cohesiveness among basketball teams organized from three different residential organizations was investigated. Over 1,200 male college students, members of 144 basketball teams, completed a pre- and post-season questionnaire which assessed nine different aspects of cohesiveness. Three residential organizations and three levels of success were the independent variables. The preseason cohesiveness levels were analyzed by univariate and a multivariate one-way analysis of variance. Covarying out the preseason differences between the teams, the postseason data were analyzed by both a univariate and multivariate two factor (3 × 3) analysis of covariance. Results indicated that fraternity teams were initially more cohesive than teams from either men's residence halls or men's independent associations. Postseason cohesiveness did not significantly differ among the three groups when initial cohesiveness was covaried out. The results of the univariate and multivariate analyses of covariance revealed that success increased postseason cohesiveness, as compared with moderate success or lack of success. No significant interaction between residential affiliation and success was found.