CLASS NOTES

CHAPTER 1: Small Groups As The Heart of Society

I. Case Study: The Best Friends Animal Society

A. What is the purpose of this group, in your opinion?

B. Consider a group that you have in your life which meets the same purpose

(perhaps not the activity, but the purpose). Name one.

II. Groups In Your Life

A. The role of family of origin as a group

B. The role of groups in organizations

C. Groups as Problem Solvers

D. Participating in Groups

III. Groups vs. Individuals as Problem Solvers

A. Some problems are effective when solved by groups

1. Complexity

2. Many possible solutions

3. Enhance Critical Thinking

4. Acceptance is critical

5. Sufficient time

B. When a group is not a good choice

1. A problem has a best solution

2. Changing conditions

3. Problems within group

4. grouphate defined:

IV. Groups, Small Groups, and Small Group Theory

A. Group defined:

B. Small group defined:

C. Communication defined:

D. Small group communication defined:

E. How is group work affected by technology?

V. Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose

A. Will C. Schutz’s 3 major forces to motivate human interaction:

1. Inclusion—

2. Affection—

3. Control—

B. Primary groups defined:

C. Secondary groups defined:

1. Support groups

2. Learning groups

3. Organizational groups

a. Committees

b. Quality Control Circles

c. Self-managed work teams

D. Is any human group a pure primary or pure secondary group?

VI. Being an Ethical Group Member

A. Ethics defined:

1. Ethical standards

a.

b.

c.

d.

VII. Participant-Observer Perspective

A. Participant-observer defined:

1. Give one example where you could be a participant-observer in this classroom environment?