Final answer:
As groups grow larger, individual members may feel that the shared rewards are less significant, leading to decreased cohesiveness. Smaller groups tend to have stronger cohesiveness due to better enforcement, peer pressure, and individual contribution visibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The larger the group, the less likely it will be cohesive, as b. the level of shared rewards becomes smaller for each member.
When discussing the cohesiveness of groups, it's important to consider the dynamics and challenges that arise as the size of the group increases. Smaller groups tend to have stronger internal cohesiveness due to the ease of monitoring and enforcement, the stronger presence of peer pressure, and the lower possibility of individuals engaging in social loafing or free-riding. However, as groups expand in size, these mechanisms become less effective; individuals may feel their personal contribution is less significant or less recognized, which can lead to less motivation to contribute actively to the group's goals. This is partly due to the collective action problems, where individuals have less incentive to participate cooperatively, and more difficulty in coordinating their efforts towards a common goal.
Therefore, as the answer indicates, the reward or benefit that each member perceives they gain from being part of a large group diminishes, leading to potential division and lack of cohesion. Larger groups can gather more attention and exert more pressure towards achieving goals, but they also face increased challenges in preventing issues like the tragedy of the commons or collective action problems.