Group Processes

Gardner (1980) proposed an activity that can be used to demonstrate several of the principles related to group processes and decision making described in the text. After randomly dividing the class into groups of five or six students each, instruct the groups to take a few minutes and select a leader. Next, distribute the problem scenario described by Gardner (reproduced in Handout 15-2) and go over the basic problem and instructions with the groups. After the groups have had sufficient time to arrive at their solution, lead the class in a discussion focusing on characteristics of group processes and decision making by having them analyze how their groups arrived at a decision. As part of your discussion, group members should explore: how they selected a group leader (e.g., Was the leader task-oriented or relationship-oriented?), how difficult it was to make a decision, whether everyone agreed with the final decision or whether there were conformity pressures added, whether there was any evidence of group polarization or Groupthink, and how they arrived at their final decision (e.g., Did a few individuals dominate the discussion? Were concessions made?).

Gardner, R. M. (1980). Exercises for general psychology. Minneapolis, MN: Burgess Publishing.

Reprinted from Hill, W. G. (1995). Instructor's resource manual for Psychology by S. F. Davis and J. J. Palladino. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.