Chapter 2: Groups as Systems

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=409687" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="31800640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>The Message</b></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Tahoma" ><B> </b></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Tahoma" ><B> </b></FONT><B>|   </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Message"><U><B>The Message Home Page</b></U></A><B> </b><B> |  </b><A HREF="small_group_communication_by_lynn_meade.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Small Group Home Page"><U><B>Small Group Home Page</b></U></A><B>  </b><B> |  </b><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U><B>Contact Me</b></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> A Communication Website by Lynn Meade</div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Though you cannot go back</b></div> <div> <B>and make a brand new start my friend.</b></div> <div> <B>Anyone can start from now</b></div> <div> <B>and make a brand new end.</b></div> <div> <B>John Maxwell</b></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Chapter 2: Groups as Systems</b></div> <div> <IMG SRC="2c4785a0.gif" border=0 width="120" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Objective:  See group as interconnected, to understand the need to work with change. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Systems Theory</U></b></div> <div> General systems theory was developed by a biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy, as a way to explain complex living organism.  Because living organisms are constantly changing, they are   difficult to study.  Only processes and relationships display any consistency.  Katz and Kahn apply systems theory to small groups.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Elements in a groups life processes can be put in three categories</U></b></div> <div> <B>Inputs</b>:all the people, information, energy, resource designed to facilitate group problem solving. </div> <div> <B>Throughput processes: </b>Activities within the group that goes about its work.  How roles, rules, and leadership develop; how members handle conflict; how members evaluate the information they receive; interaction, mutual influence</div> <div> <B>Outputs:</b> The results, the product of the group's throughput processes. Tangible outcomes are things such as decisions, reports, building items. Intangible items are things such as feelings, personal growth, relationships, change in self, conflict strategy, etc. </div> <div> <B>Environment:</b> Consists of everything outside the group that affects the group. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Characteristics of Systems</b></div> <div> <B>Open and Closed systems- </b></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Closed system has little or no interaction with the environmern</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Open systems had a great deal of interaction with the environment. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Interdependence </b>the degrees to which each element of a system influences and is influenced by the other elements. Do the group members rely on one another to achiever the shared goal?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Feedback- </b>the part of the system's output that is returned to the system as input</div> <bR> <div> <B>Multiple causes,</b> multiple paths-Many factors combine to form a single outcome. Often we try to blame failures or contribute successes to one person . There are multiple paths within a system to achieve the goal. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Nonsummativity-</b>A system is not the sum of its parts. A group is an entity of its own and takes on a life of its own and so performs better or worse than anyone may expect.  Groups have on days and off days. </div> <bR> <div> Groups can have a positive assembly effect-- positive<B> synergy </b>where the output is superior to the individual efforts of members</div> <bR> <div> Groups can have process loss--<B>negative synergy</b>-- groups of intelligent people can make poor decisions. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Taken from Communicating in Groups:  Applications and skills by Galanes, Adams and Brilhart</I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> System</b></FONT> is a set of interconnected parts working together</div> <div>  to form a whole in the context of a changing environment.</div> <div>  It is meaningless to look at a single part without looking at the interconnectedness </div> <div> of the whole. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>THE SYSTEMS THEORY OF FAMILY</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="2c6a4840.gif" border=0 width="164" height="132" ALT="Metafile Companion Picture (32-bit)" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></b></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">System's theory has been used to look at family as a system</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Systems theory says that a family is " a dynamic whole composes of constantly shifting interrelationships but still bounded and rule-governed. "</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> The whole family is greater than the sum of its parts</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  A change in one member affects the whole family</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Behavior is more revealing than words</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Family members conform to rules.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Interconnectedness of Parts</U></b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ripple Effect</b>- In a system, one part can have significant impact on the whole. A chain reaction often spreads across an entire system.  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A seemingly small part of a huge system can generate an enormous ripple effect. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Even very small systems can experience the ripple effect</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The ripple effect an individual has on a group does not have to be a negative experience. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2e25f3d0.jpg" border=0 width="95" height="61" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Synergy</b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  (syn=together + ergon + work)</FONT></div> <div> Synergy occurs when group performance form group action of members exceeds expectations based on perceived abilities and skills of individual members. </div> <div> Synergy is produced only when group members work in an interconnected way. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Negative Synergy</b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > occurs when group members working together produce a worse result than expected based on perceived individual skills and abilities of members. </FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="307b5790.gif" border=0 width="181" height="121" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>Adaptability to Change</U></b></div> <div> <B>Who Moved My Cheese?</b></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="36060950.jpg" border=0 width="96" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </b><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Read pg 37-76</b></FONT></div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="6" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="409" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#0000CC" BORDERCOLORDARK="#003399" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFF99 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 956 ><NOBR><div> <B>The Handwriting on the Wall</b></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="35f44b60.gif" border=0 width="324" height="182" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></b></div> <div> <B>Change Happens</b></div> <div> <B>They keep moving the cheese</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Anticipate Change</b></div> <div> <B>Get Ready for the Cheese to Move</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Monitor Change</b></div> <div> <B>Smell the Cheese Often So You Know</b></div> <div> <B>When It is Getting Old</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Adapt to Change Quickly</b></div> <div> <B>The Quicker You Let Go of Old Cheese</b></div> <div> <B>The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Change</b></div> <div> <B>Move With The Cheese</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Enjoy Change</b></div> <div> <B>Savor The Adventure and </b></div> <div> <B>Enjoy the Taste of New Cheese</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Be Ready To Change Quickly </b></div> <div> <B>And Enjoy it Again and Again</b></div> <div> <B>They Keep Moving the Cheese</b></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></b></div> <div> <B>Lesson from Within the Maze</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If you do not change you can become extinct</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What would you do if you weren't afraid?</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Smell the cheese often so you know when its getting old</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheee</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When you move beyond your fear, you feel free. </b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Imagining myself enjoying new cheese even before I find it, leads me to it. </b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It is safer to search in the maze than remain in a cheeseless situation</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Old beliefs do not lead you to new cheese</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When you see that you can find and enjoy new cheese, you change course</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Noticing small changes early helps you adapt to the bigger changes that are to come</b></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Move With The Cheese and Enjoy It!</b></div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> People change when they</div> <div> hurt enough to have change</div> <div> learn enough to want change</div> <div> receive enough they are able to change</div> <div> John Maxwell</div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>The Boiled Frog theory of non decision </U></b></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0b987550.gif" border=0 width="135" height="85" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> by Tichyand Sherman (1993) compares a group to frogs in water. They note that if you put frogs in water and gradually turn up the heat they don't jump out because they don't notice the gradual change in temperature. Many organizations have "croaked" because they did not see gradual changes in the environment --auto, steel, construction, electronics. They did not change so they died. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Adaptability </b>is the modification of the structure and/or function of the system in response to changing conditions. </div> <div> <B>Openness to change</b></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Openness is continuous interaction with the outside environment</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">All living systems are open to some degree</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">No group can be completely isolated </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">As systems open to the outside, new input inevitably disturbs the system and produces change</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Have you changed lately, if you want to become a change agent, you also must  change. John Maxwell </div> <div> <B>Openness and Boundaries</b></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Degree, rate, and desirability are three general factors that influence a group's ability or willingness to adapt successfully to change. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Boundaries regulate the degree of openness and consequent exposure to change in a system.  Boundary control determines the amount of access a group has to input and influence outsiders </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Boundaries leak.  There is always some interchange with the environment that leaks through the boundaries</div> <div> <B>Methods of Boundary Control</b></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Groups establish boundaries</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Physical Boundaries</b>: Locked doors, walls, inconvenient location, partitions</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Psychological Barriers:</b> Make an individual feel that they don not belong to the group</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Linguistic Barriers</b>: Private vocabulary</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Rules: </b> Establish who can become a group member and they also define appropriate behaviors in specified social settings.</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Roles:</b> A pattern of behavior exhibited by a member of a group.  All roles have expectations attached to them. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Groups set boundaries by establishing <B>networks </b>or patterns of information flow and personal contact. . Networks control the access and flow of information within the group and may isolate the group from outside influences. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> People's minds are changed through observation and not arguement</div> <div> -Will Rogers</div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> ? <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > How could a work team invite an outsider (often called isolates) to be part of the team and make them feel welcome?</FONT></div> <div> When have you felt like an outsider?</div> <div> How is the work of an outsider affected?</div> <div> Did you know that network studies show isolates?</div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Closer Look: Bound and Gagged: Cult Boundary Control</U></b></div> <div> A <B>cult</b> is a group that forms around a person who claims he or she has a special mission or knowledge, which will be shared with those who turn over most of their decision making to that self-appointed leader."</div> <div> <B> Characteristics of cults:</b></div> <div> 1.  Cults have strong, charismatic leaders who exercise control in an authoritarian power structure.</div> <div> 2.  Cults have a shared belief system whose adherents accept that they alone are gifted with the revealed truth</div> <div> 3.  Cults insist on regimented behavior of followers, strict obedience to authority figures, and unquestioning acceptance of the groups norms and beliefs.</div> <div>  4.  Cults create rigid boundary control. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">They create physical isolation as a boundary control</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">They control information as boundary control</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">They use group argot (group speak/jargon) incomprehensible to outsiders</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">They erect psychological barriers. (Chosen ones, we versus us mentality)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">They control boundaries by rigid rules</div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Boundaries and Group Effectiveness</b></div> <div> A group must close off when both the quantity and the quality and type of input place undue stress on the group and prevent it from accomplishing its task. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2caea960.gif" border=0 width="234" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>Influence of Size</U></b></div> <div> As groups increase in numerical size, complexity increases. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Qualitative Complexity</b></div> <div> Brostrom (1970) observes that as the size of the group increases arithmetically, the possible number of interactions between group members increases geometrically (Exponentially)</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="330" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <B>Number in Group</b></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <B>Interactions Possible</b></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 2</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 9</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 28</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 75</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 186</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 441</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="148"><div> 8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="163"><div> 1056</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Complexity and Group Transactions</b></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Larger groups typically have more non-participants than smaller groups</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Smaller groups inhibit overt disagreement and signs of dissatisfaction more than larger groups do</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Example: Twelve Angry Men</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Splinter groups and faction are more likely to emerge in larger groups</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Small groups can exert more pressure for members to conform</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Groups size effects levels of cooperation</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When looking at groups form 12 to 30, the smaller groups were more cooperative and collaborative.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Larger groups were more likely to form cliques, small narrowly focused subgroups that create a competitive atmosphere</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Group members tended to be less satisfied with groups of ten or more. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The overall group climate deteriorates when groups become large. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Consensus (unanimous agreement) becomes difficult and majority vote is often used to make final decisions when groups are large.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The perfect size is the smallest size capable of performing the task effectively.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Many researchers point to the ideal size of  5</div> <bR> <div> <B>Groups versus Organizations</b></div> <div> With increasing group size comes greater formality</div> <div> The flow of information changes as groups become organizations</div> <div> Little negative information from below reaches the top of the corporate hierarchy or if it does it is delayed. </div> <div> Information distortion is a bigger problem in organizations than in smaller groups. </div> <bR> <div> Closer Look: The Beatles as a System</div> <div> <IMG SRC="09822240.gif" border=0 width="546" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Definition of a Small Group</U></b></div> <div> A group is a human communication system composed of three or more individuals, interacting for achievement of some common purpose, who influence and are influenced by one another. </div> <div> A simple collection of individuals is called an <B>aggregation</b>.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>