SMALL TEAM AND GROUP PAPER

Small Team and Group Paper

Small Team and Group Paper

Humans need interaction with one another; however, whether a person joins a group is largely dependent on number of variables such as 'personal traits, social motives and gender'. There are distinct traits and qualities in individuals who seek out membership in groups and those who avoid it.

My sister and I are like chalk and cheese; our personalities are at either ends of the continuum. While my sister is quiet, soft spoken and thrives on her time alone, myself on the other hand love the company of others and I feel energized when I am surrounded by groups of people. Over the years, I have engaged in number of 'groups' such as youth groups, orchestra, art groups, volleyball and basketball teams and I have a wide network of acquaintances and friends, whereas in contrast my sister keeps to herself and joins groups only when she is forced to. My sisters prefer to do things on her own and come across as withdrawn and shy (Tuckman, 1965).

Psychologists describe the personalities of my sister and me as 'introversion- extraversion.' While my sister is described as an introvert holding 'bashful, withdrawn, quiet, reclusive, and shy,' qualities keeping a limited contact with people, myself conversely, feeds off the energy groups provide to fulfill my outgoing, sociable and extrovert nature. It is understood that extraverts, more so than introverts are likely to engage in group- like situations and environments because extraverts find group interaction interesting and 'stimulating' therefore in conclusion, extraverts are more likely to join group than of someone with introvert tendencies (Engleberg and Wynn, 2003).

Other personal qualities may also push an individual towards or away from joining groups. Individual holding high levels of social anxiety and shyness qualities are going to be inclined towards avoiding joining groups, feeling uncomfortable and awkward when interacting with people they are not well acquainted with. It is suggested that when people with social anxiety and shyness do join group, they are well recognizable due to their 'lack of participation, silence, downcast eyes and low speaking voice' (Tuckman, 1965).

Another factor that may contribute to why an individual would join a group may be due to interpersonal needs. In contrast to personality theorists, motivational theorists argue that individuals have social needs such as the need for affiliation, intimacy and power that needs to be satisfied. Thus motivating individuals to seek out certain groups to fulfill those particular desires. The basic need for affiliation, intimacy, and power is included Fundamental Interpersonal Orientation theory (FIRO) corresponding them with inclusion, affection and control. Each of the dimensions is evident in two ways in the way group interacts as Schutz argues- 'the way we treat other people and how we want others to treat us'. In summary, Schutz believed that individuals joining groups offered a way to satisfy the basic needs of inclusion, affection and control.

'In general, then, the greater the intensity of these needs in any given individual, the more likely that ...