Group Interaction in the Workplace

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses group interaction in the workplace. The paper explains that symbolic interaction theory can be utilized to describe the development of the group and its functioning as a cohesive unit to complete the tasks assigned. The paper points out that according to symbolic interaction theorists the human condition requires group living and group dynamics. The paper then looks at how the interactions we have in these groups is determined by some overt, but many subtle role expectations that can be based on gender, appearance, communication style, race or even understanding of the members of the group of what a certain known individual would perceptually be good at.

From the Paper:

"The roles that were assigned were to some degree voluntary, and yet there was also a leaning on the part of the group leader to designate roles based on her prior knowledge of the individual student, if she had worked with them before and if she had not based on their own admission of desire or perception, therefore to some degree symbolic interaction took place even in role assignments. As the self is the determining member in a voluntary group it is also interesting to note that many people report feeling inclinations to fill certain roles not necessarily based upon what their skills are but on what they have done in the past or more importantly what they have been guided to in the past by symbolic interaction."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bonner, H. (1959). Group Dynamics Principles and Applications. New York: Ronald Press.
• Goodenow, C. (1992). Strengthening the Links between Educational Psychology and the Study of Social Contexts. Educational Psychologist, 27(2), 177-196.
• Mathis, R. D., & Tanner, Z. (1999). An Exercise to Introduce Students to Group Leadership. Teaching of Psychology, 26(4), 288-290.
• Moment, D., & Zaleznik, A. (1963). Role Development and Interpersonal Competence: An Experimental Study of Role Performances in Problem-Solving Groups. Boston: Harvard University.
• Sapp, S. G., Harrod, W. J., & Zhao, L. (1996). Leadership Emergence in Task Groups with Egalitarian Gender-Role Expectations. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 34(1-2), 65.

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