Group cohesion is indicated by the strength of the bonds that link members to the group as a whole. It generally goes hand-in-hand with a shared attitude towards problems and is based upon the mutual motivation of the crew towards the job. Individual acceptance of standards and roles depends upon how tightly or loosely knit are the links between the members of the group. A high cohesion produces high team spirit.

Cohesion within a group is a major advantage in times of difficulty – but with too much, groupthink can be promoted which can have negative results. Groupthink is a common but not obligatory result of high cohesion