New technologies transform research specialties and potentiate new fields. Sociometers--wearable electronic sensors collecting quantitative, dynamic data about embodied social interactions at hyperfine scales--represent such a possibility for small group research. This article introduces this new method and its distinctive qualities and…

Presents problems associated with process analysis with a specific focus on definitional and methodological concerns. Discusses the need for a comprehensive system that will help researchers to separate and comprehend the individual parts of a group and their relationship to the whole group. (Author/LLL)

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a comparative morphology of groups which would be applicable to the whole of social scientific research. The key to the morphological classes suggested is not a focus on the group system itself but on its relationship with the next higher system--the group system's environment. The information exchange…

This study examines how group size affects power structure. Elementary conditions under which human interaction generally occurs constrain power to equalize as the length of the interaction sequence increases and to polarize as the size of the group increases. (Author/DE)

Based upon research conducted aboard a ship, this article substantiates the hypothesis that whether or not homosexuality is excused will depend upon the compatibility of such tolerance with the prevailing terms being used to rationalize the experience of differential power. (Author/JC)

Using 144 high school physics classes as units of analysis, class means on a battery of 57 variables were factored in three different factor sets. Each set included three main factors which could be identified roughly as achievement, affect, and group structure. Results gave further credibility to Bales' work. (Author/KR)

This review examines published research on small-group development done in the last ten years that would constitute an empirical test of Tuckman's hypothesis that groups go through the stages of "forming,""storming,""norming," and "performing." A fifth stage, "adjourning," was added to the…

This laboratory experiment tested a flat organization structure with few levels of administration, against a tall structure to determine their effects on group performance. (LN)

Argues that processes of evaluating and assigning membership of categories within given collectives may be identified as operating across diverse social contexts. The maintenance of social identity boundaries is dependent on "knowing" the status of one's own category membership and accomplishing this membership through the interactional work of…

The four papers presented here include a study of group communication process among college students, a developmental analysis of social interaction, an analysis of environmental impact on interaction, and a methodological discussion of ways of studying interaction. These papers are followed by series of three discussion papers. (PS)

The concept of group dialectics is considered within a temporal framework. Long-term groups are considered in terms of such temporal concepts as continuity, change, goal direction, attachment and groups in process. A conceptualization of small group dynamics based on time factors is presented. (BD)

A study was made of small workgroups, each of which was assigned to complete an empirical investigation. These workgroups were observed by students. The framework for the observations was Tuckman's (1965) proposed model of group development. The goal was to test the fit of Tuckman's model to the actual development of the workgroups observed in the…

Reviews basic sociometric tools and their analysis, provides information on computer programs to analyze sociometric data, and briefly examines considerations in conducting sociometric investigations. Looks at the social atom (significant others), constructing sociometry questions, and offers an analysis of individual status and interactional…

Examines the transition from a single conversation to two conversations in a group larger than three by focusing on three distinctive properties of the schisming-inducing turn (SIT): (1) the changes in recipiency structure; (2) the sequence-structural properties of the SIT and its uptake; and (3) the topical properties of the SIT. (61 references)…

This paper analyzes development of group structure in terms of the stimulus-sampling perspective. Learning is the continual sampling of possibilities, with those reinforced possibilities increasing in probability of occurance. This contingency learning approach is tested experimentally. (NG)