Reflection Paper On Group Interaction

As an assignment for sociology class, I had the opportunity to keep in mind to play the role as an observer -to understand the dynamics behind social interaction- when I attended my family-friend’s twelfth birthday party (Nina). To keep my observation under radar, I decided to tell everyone I encountered that my voice was silent due to my common cold, which I did have that day. The interactions and systems of behaviors are what make up group dynamics in a social setting, such as those I analyzed at a birthday party, all fell into place. The characterizations of the many sub groups within the party became notable on what set them apart by the following: religious beliefs, work groups, school groups, age groups, and etc. while the mother is

Then, the grouping of more specific because I noticed the fathers grouped together and shared a beer on the patio. I overheard them discussing the sports news for over an hour, which I assumed the more they shared a common the higher level of interest the conversation is for the both of them then allowing their groupthink bond to form stronger and more likely to attempt to relate. As more parents with children arrived (primary small groups) , they divided by their age group and gender. I noticed the moms were all sitting on the table, some with their babies in their lap. The women were divided in sub groups, some that stayed to talk longer and the ones that slowly drifted in other areas of the party. More men begin grouping outside, and in my opinion I believe the alcohol brought the social likeness to interact, I noticed more social interaction occurred with the people near the bar. But consumption of alcohol at the party would be considered a norm, once the host brought out the cans allowing the drinking to occur. As the party continued, some of the guests norms were revealed as they said their goodbye’s early when I heard about their early morning shifts from those which were apart of the work-group. I learned they believed in maintaining a schedule, they valued their job title, and held standards for themselves- which meant leaving a party early. The people that conversed in the work group, many of them left around the same hour of time. Perhaps the groupthink was in effect when one left the