CLASS NOTES

CHAPTER 2: Groups as Structured Opened Systems

I. The Jamaican Winter Olympic Bobsled Team case study

a. Is there interdependence in this group?

II. What Is A Theory?

a. Theory defined:

b. Summary

III. Overview of General Systems Theory

a. Humans can be studied like every other system

i. System’s parts are related to each other, even while changing continuously

ii. Must study ways in which the parts operate together via communication

1. The role of communication in small group theory

iii. Many individual elements affect the operation of a group:

1. The reason for group’s formation or existence

2. Personalities of the group members

3. Information available

4. Type of leadership

5. How the group handles conflict

6. How successful the group has been

IV. Small Group as a System

a. System defined:

V. Concepts Vital to Understanding Systems

a. Inputs defined:

i. Examples from bobsled team:

b. Throughput processes defined:

i. Examples from bobsled team:

c. Outputs defined:

i. Examples from bobsled team:

d. Environment defined:

i. Bona fide group perspective defined:

ii. Examples from bobsled team:

VI. Characteristics of Systems

a. Closed system:

b. Open system:

c. Interdependence:

d. Feedback:

e. Multiple causes:

i. Why does one team make it to the Super Bowl and another team doesn’t? Which factors led to success or failure?

f. Multiple paths:

i. What is the process of getting from Merced College to the Merced Mall?

g. Nonsummativity:

i. Process loss (Lakers 2004 team):

ii. Assembly affect (“Leftovers” little league team):

VII. Organizations as Systems of Groups