Influence of Intragroup Dynamics and Intergroup Relations on Authenticity in Organizational and Social Contexts: A Review of Conceptual Framework and Research Evidence

Abstract

Despite their shared focus on influence of groups on individual, research bridging intragroup dynamics and intergroup relations as predictors of authentic and inauthentic (self-alienated) experience, behavior and interaction of individuals in organizational and social contexts is surprisingly rare. The goal of the present article is to highlight how understanding the reciprocal dynamic relationship between intragroup processes and intergroup relations offers valuable new insights into both topics and suggests new, productive avenues for psychological theory, research and practice development -particularly for understanding and improving the intragroup and intergroup relations in groups, organizations and society affecting authentic psychosocial functioning. The article discusses the complementary role of intergroup and intragroup dynamics, reviewing how intergroup relations can affect intragroup dynamics which, in turn, affects the authenticity of individual experiences, behaviors and relations with others. The paper considers the implications, theoretical and practical, of the proposed reciprocal relationships between intragroup and intergroup processes as factors influencing authentic psychosocial functioning of individuals in organizational and social settings. Authentic Psychosocial Functioning of the IndividualArtists, clergy, philosophers, psychologists and psychotherapists have long sought to define who one "really" is in his/her psychosocial functioning as an individual nested in social groups, organizations, communities and society.According to Baumeister (1987), concern over distinguishing between private concealment of one's self from that which was observable in others emerged as an area of interest around the XVI-th century. Ensuing themes depicting "true" versus "false" selves of people provided a varied range of possibilities for characterizing one's real self. Determining whether one's self was in fact true or false ranged from numerous considerations of evaluative referents that included, but were not limited to, one's faith, piety, heart, or virtue (

South African managers in public service: On being authentic

“…Mateeva and Dimitrov (2013, p. 205) confirm the temporal and intuitive nature of the authentic experience: “Rather, authenticity may be conceptualised as an on-going psychodynamic process whereby one's potentials, characteristics, emotions, values, motivation, and so forth are discovered and explored, accepted, imbued with meaning or purpose and expressed and actualised.”…”

“…Humanistic psychological perspectives have long emphasized self-congruent behaviour as key to being authentic (Lenton, Bruder, Slabu, & Sedikides, 2012 ; Rogers, 1961 ), and it remains core to more recent authenticity trait theories (see Wood et al, 2008 ). Whereas Rogers emphasizes congruence between the private self-concept and immediate interpersonal experiences, psychological perspectives on authenticity differ on what constitutes the real self (Mateeva & Dimitrov, 2013 ). Erickson ( 1995 ) refers to upholding self-values, and Maslow ( 1968 ) equates the true self to actualizing one's true potential and higher order psychological needs (Goldman & Kernis, 2002 ; Mateeva & Dimitrov, 2013 ).…”

“…Whereas Rogers emphasizes congruence between the private self-concept and immediate interpersonal experiences, psychological perspectives on authenticity differ on what constitutes the real self (Mateeva & Dimitrov, 2013 ). Erickson ( 1995 ) refers to upholding self-values, and Maslow ( 1968 ) equates the true self to actualizing one's true potential and higher order psychological needs (Goldman & Kernis, 2002 ; Mateeva & Dimitrov, 2013 ). Self-determination theorists relate authenticity to behavioural congruence with the intrinsic basic psychological needs of competency, autonomy, and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2000 ; Ménard & Brunet, 2011 ), and Wood et al ( 2008 ) set actual physiological states, emotions, and deep-level cognitions as self-congruence criteria.…”

“…Mateeva and Dimitrov ( 2013 ) highlight the significant roles of self-knowledge and self-reflective capacity in being authentic. The process of self-appraisal that we propose may be similar to such critical self-reflection through which one is able to be authentic by being conscious of the self, others, relationships, and context (cf.…”

“…Overall, self-appraisal seems to consistently and intuitively occur, and as the process continues throughout the work–life span, one's identity is affirmed, and we propose that the experience of being authentic evolves and may become more stable through time. Mateeva and Dimitrov ( 2013 , p. 205) confirm the temporal and intuitive nature of the authentic experience: “Rather, authenticity may be conceptualised as an on-going psychodynamic process whereby one's potentials, characteristics, emotions, values, motivation, and so forth are discovered and explored, accepted, imbued with meaning or purpose and expressed and actualised.”…”