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EDU 5046: CLASSROOM INTERACTION

Lecture 7: Group Structure

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, students are able to:

1.  explain the meaning of group structure,

2.  explain the concept of sosiometry,

3.  create and interpret sociograms, and

4.  discuss the importance of sosiometry in classroom interaction.

GROUP STRUCTURE

Sociometry in the Classroom

Meaning: The basic “network” of friendship patterns and sub-group organization.

A group’s main feature is it contains social stratification. Every member of the group has certain

status and involved in various pattern of interaction.

Individual status (high/low) in a group determines the extend of the group’s influence. 

A big group most probably has several sub-groups.

FORMATION OF CLIQUES & CLEAVAGES

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CLEAVAGE SELECTION CRITERIA

Gender

Age

Personality

Body size

Physical appearance

Material capabilities

Competence in sports

Social class

Ethnicity

Names

SOCIOMETRY IN THE CLASSROOM:

The term ‘sociometry’ was derived from: Cocius (social) and Metrum (measure).

Sociometry: A quantitative method for measuring the degree of relatedness among people

(focus: interpersonal choices).

Also known as Sociography: “A methodology for tracking the energy vectors of interpersonal

relationships in a group. It shows the patterns of how individuals associate with each other when

acting as a group toward a specified end of goal”. 

Sociometry was developed by Jacob L. Moreno (1889-1974) in the 1930’s to study interpersonal

choices.

Moreno’s rationale is based on the belief that people make choices in interpersonal

relationships.

Moreno defined sociometry as “the mathematical study of psychological properties of

populations, the experimental technique of and the results obtained by application of

quantitative methods” 

The sociometry test is an observation to determine the direction of the relationships in a group.

Sociometric representation refers to various graphical data presentation of relationships.

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SOCIOGRAM

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SOCIOGRAM

Sociogram is a chart that represents the interaction of members of a group or a map of

relationship generated from a sociometry test.

Purpose: To explore the group structure (the basic network of friendship pattern and the

organization of sub-groups)

Sociogram provides information regarding the interactions between an individual and his/her

group as a whole.

Value of Sociogram to Teachers:

  To gain insight to groups’ behaviours 

To plan constructive changes onto individuals and groups through the knowledge of

interpersonal relationships

To act wisely on group management (e.g. to create effect groups)

To identify psychological characteristics/skills (e.g.: leadership) and behavioural problems, etc.

(Read:

  “how people read sociograms: A questionnaire study” 

  “Sociometry in the classroom” 

  “understanding sociograms”

(http://www.durlandconsulting.com/images/pdfs/Understanding_maps_11_03a.pdf  

  “ Exploring sociometric models and sociograms

(http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/pdhpe/assets/pdf/tlsupp_

004.pdf  ))

FORMATION OF SOCIOGRAM

Data to measure individual’s social status can be obtained from the members using two

methods: nomination or rating

 

Nomination  Example:

1.  Positive nomination question: Who are the 3 closest friends of yours?

2.  Negative nomination question: Who are the 3 friends of yours that you dislike

most?

(Negative nomination questions are used to detect “interpersonal resistance” )

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  Rating

  Use of symbols to represent the attitude rating towards peers

  Example : + high trust

0 moderate trust- distrust / conflict

  Ann rates : Bob +

Claire -

Don 0

Edna +

Fred 0

‘SOCIOMATRIX’ FORMATION FROM RATING

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Interpretation of the Sociomatrix

  More + : leader (Bob & Edna: informal leader)

- : rejected

0 : less self-exposure & less assertive

  Mutuals:

  Positive mutuals – there are bonds in the group (Don & Bob)

  Negative mutuals – there’s conflict, intervention is

  Recommended (Ann & Claire)

INTERPRETATION & TERMINOLOGY OF SOCIOGRAM

2 categories : Individual Phenomena & Group Phenomena

1.  Individual Phenomena

  Star

  Positively chosen by many, hub of attraction

  There are positive star and negative star

 

Isolates  Individuals that do not get any positive nomination but may have got negative

nomination

  Isolated kids in the classroom context

  Ghost

  Receive no nomination at all.

  Either receive no recognition or considered non existence

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2.  Group Phenomena

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SUMMARY

Teachers often ignore relationship issues in the classroom because they believe that these issues

will dissolve on their own, but unfortunately, the reality is otherwise.

Discussing the relationship issues directly may not lead to solutions, but it can bring about

positive effects towards the classroom climate; making it healthier, and help increase students’

satisfaction (through participation in the classroom), motivation, academic achievement, self-

concept, and reduce discipline problems as well.