W1 - what is a group

Question 1

Criteria for a group

Answer 1

• Two or more persons
• Formal social structure
• Interaction
• Common fate
• Common goals
• Interdependence
• Shared identity

Question 2

Aggregate

Answer 2

• NOT a group
• people that exist in together in the same place and time but do not share a sense of identity
• relatively large cluster of individuals sharing similar behaviour
• ex. a group of people waiting for their orders at a takeaway restaurant, or commuters catching a train

Question 3

Categories

Answer 3

• people who share similar characteristics but are otherwise not tied to each other
• ex. people who live on the gold coast are gold coasters, or people who play games are gamers, or generational groups - boomers/millennials

Question 4

Group criteria - two or more persons

Answer 4

Groups can range in size from two members to thousands. Most groups, however, tend to consist of around two to seven members

Question 5

Group criteria - formal social structure

Answer 5

Groups are organised in such a way that different members fill different roles and hold different status within the group. In therapy groups, for example, there is a group facilitator, whose role is distinct from other members of the group. And in organisational settings, group roles are formalised with clearly defined role hierarchies

Question 6

Group criteria - interaction

Answer 6

People belonging to a group interact with one another on a frequent basis. These may be in the service of a shared task, or they may be of a personal nature, such as group members who support or criticise one another

Question 7

Group criteria - common fate

Answer 7

Kurt Lewin (1948), who first coined the term ‘group dynamics’, stated, “it is not similarity or dissimilarity of individuals that constitutes a group, but interdependence of fate.” A group can thus form when people realise they are ‘in the same boat.’

Question 8

Group criteria - common goals

Answer 8

Group members tend to be united by a shared goal. Members of a study group, for example, share the goal of passing a particular assignment or course. Players on a sporting team share a goal to win. And participants of a therapy group may be united by a shared need to develop coping skills

Question 9

Group criteria - interdependence

Answer 9

Group members are dependent on one another, in that the outcomes and experiences of one group member are to some extent determined by other members of the group. For example, the success of a senior manager in an organisation can depend on the quality of work produced by his or her staff

Question 10

Group criteria - shared identity

Answer 10

Group members share a sense of belonging to the same group, so that members define themselves as a group and are recognised by others as a group

Question 11

Primary groups

Answer 11

• Face-to-face interaction
• Interactions are not specialised
• Bonds are relatively permanent
• Small
• Intimate
- generally around family and close friends
- play most critical role in our lives, serving emotional needs
- face-to-face interactions over a long period of time

Question 12

Formal v Informal groups

Answer 12

• *look up image

Question 13

Secondary groups

Answer 13

• less critical, not serving emotional needs and commitments
• short term or temporary
• work place or school settings
• specialised -> focused on specific goal or task

Question 14

Task v Experience based groups

Answer 14

Task
• Task-based groups
• Content groups
- achievement of specific goals

Experience
• Experience-based groups
• Process oriented groups
- focus on group members and their growth