Group+Observations


 * Seeing (and describing) Groups! **

Find an aggregate of individuals in some public place (where people have no reasonable expectation of privacy). Observe the grouping of people for at least 20 minutes, and be sure to take notes using your Ipad. Also, if possible, photograph the group.

Answer the following questions to your portion of the Observe a Group Project area (click here to the[| "Observe a Natural Group"] project page).

1. Provide the who, what, when, where, and how for your group. Who was in the group? What was the group doing? What were the characteristics of the people in the group? Where did you find your group? How were the people arranged in the physical environment?

2. What were the characteristics of the group (rather than the people in the group)?

a. Interaction: How were the members interacting with each other? (Note both task and relationship interaction).

b. Interdependence: Did group members depend on each other? Did they influence one another?

c. Structure: Could you discern the group's status, attraction, and communication patterns? Was a leader present?

d. Goals: What was the group's purpose?

e. Cohesion: How unified was the group?

3. Was the aggregate you observed a "group? Was it unified and synchronized or was it a loose conglomeration?

4. Critique your study of the group, from a measurement standpoint. How could you have increased the scientific accuracy and value of your observations?

5. Did anything about the group puzzle or surprise you? Did your observation raise questions that could be answered through research?

//Good luck!//