Types of Group

Social Interaction

Social Interaction in GroupsIn group settings, people do the following:

• Take on roles within the group• Take on the norms of the group

The following are the five basic types of socialinteraction which form the basis of group

life……

Example:Your behavior in your churchyouth group is different thenyour behavior on your baseball

team

CooperationDefinition: individuals combine their

efforts to reach a goal

Additional Info:• Individuals make best use of resources to accomplish the

task• Without some cooperation, social life could not exist

ConflictDefinition: social interaction where

defeating your opponent is goal

Additional Info:• Individuals who work against one another• Gain greater reward or more satisfaction• Positive can bring about Social Change

Social ExchangeDefinition: doing something in expectation of

getting a reward (something back) in return

Additional Info:• Basis is “reciprocity” (do for others as they have done for you)• Focus of relationship is “the reward” rather than the

relationship

CoercionDefinition: individuals or group are

forced to give in to the will of others

Additional Info:• Goal is domination (opposite of social exchange)• Expressed through social pressure (ridicule, rejection,

threats)

ConformityDefinition: adapting individual behavior

to fit the behavior of those in the group

Additional Info:• Goal is to adapt our behavior to those around us• Social life would NOT exist without conformity

What is Groupthink?Groupthink: conforms to group beliefs due to

group pressure rather than going against the group

Additional Info:• Fear of rejection from others in group (or the group itself)• Pressure toward uniformity• Discourages members from expressing concerns about group decisions