Analysis of Group Cohesion: Discussion of Connotation and Construction of Scale

Abstract

This study explores the factors that influence the cohesion of military groups and develops a scale for measuring the current state of group cohesion in the military. The importance of military unity has always been a significant factor in victory in war, and group cohesion plays a pivotal role in the success or failure of military operations. The research is divided into two phases: the first phase includes a literature review, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions to gather information about the connotations of military group cohesion. The interviews revealed that the elements of military group cohesion encompass five dimensions: cooperation, communication, leadership, commitment, and the external environment. In the second phase, based on data obtained from the interviews, a military group cohesion questionnaire was developed, and 214 personnel from grassroots units were tested to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. The results indicate that better performance correlates with higher group cohesion. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for relevant units when formulating policies.