Understanding Small Group Interactions: A Comprehensive Guide

As I discuss background factors relating to small group interactions, we first have to ask, “What constitutes a small group”? In my experience and interpretation of what constitutes a small croup is that at minimum, you need three people and no more than 12 people. Within a small group the ability to get to know each other’s ethnicity, backgrounds, beliefs and morals are made easier. Small groups tend to be more focused on goal accomplishment or task completion. There are the six relevant background factors relating to small group interaction. According to Tubbs (2012), “One of the premises of systems theory is that all these factors are interrelated, so that a change in one part of the system creates in other parts of the system” (p.

Your exposure to other ethnic groups, education and cultural awareness are all important characteristics on your participation in the group. Limited exposure these factors could led to stereotyping and dismissing someone’s contribution to the group effort. Personality is one of the six behaviors that can affect the overall interactions of a group.
Personality behavior is the feelings and behavior that make a person unique. A person’s behavior is how we describe and assess people around us on a daily basis. Best known theories in psychology are usually devoted to the subject of person’s personality.
In Sigmund Freud 's topographical model of personality, the ego is the aspect of personality that deals with reality. While doing this, the ego also has to cope with the conflicting demands of the id and the superego. The id seeks to fulfill all wants, needs, and impulses while the superego tries to get the ego to act in an idealistic and moral manner. According to Freud, anxiety is an unpleasant inner state that people seek to

With age, you get experience, wisdom and a calmness which could assist the group in decision making in a manner. From a negative standpoint, with age comes a stubbornness, no compromise and the appearance of “knowing it all”. Age could also be a detriment as younger group members may feel an older member has lost touch with today’s issues. Health wise, in aged members could be a problem if health issues prevent members from meeting and participating in group sessions. Lastly, another behavior that could affect the overall interactions of a group is attitudes and