Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

209673

Interaction in small groups

Janice R. KellyMegan K. McCartyNicole E. Iannone

pp. 413-438

Abstract

This chapter reviews both current and classic research on small group interaction. The chapter begins with a brief review of the primary methods used to study small groups. This is followed by a discussion of research on power, status, and leadership, reviewing research on role differentiation, the development of status structures, and theories of leadership. A discussion of inclusion and exclusion processes in groups follows, including research on cohesiveness and social identity versus ostracism, social rejection, and schisms in groups, as well as a discussion of majority and minority influence. The final content section reviews motivation and coordination processes in groups, including social facilitation and social loafing, transactive memory systems, and information exchange. In concluding statements, we note that research on small groups has moved beyond the previous disciplinary boundaries of social psychology to fields such as organizational behavior, education, and industrial engineering, and this move has added topics of interest to the more traditional social psychological and sociological explorations of status and power.

Publication details

Published in:

Ward Amanda (2013) Handbook of social psychology. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 413-438

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6772-0_14

Full citation:

Kelly Janice R., McCarty Megan K., Iannone Nicole E. (2013) „Interaction in small groups“, In: A. Ward (ed.), Handbook of social psychology, Dordrecht, Springer, 413–438.