Page 27 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

10 Chapter 1

were secondary groups with a specific performance objective to be attained, and
members had to coordinate their efforts in order to achieve that objective.
As you may have discerned by this point, there are no pure primary or secondary
groups. Although groups are classified as primary or secondary according to their
major function, primary groups also engage in work, and secondary groups also
provide openness and belonging to their members. In fact, Anderson and Martin
demonstrated that secondary group members are motivated by a number of factors
that are more primary than secondary, including desires for pleasure and to escape.
Such factors strongly influence secondary group members’ communication behav-
iors, their feelings of loneliness, and their satisfaction with the group. Research is
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clear: working on a task must be supported with good social skills helping members
feel included, appreciated, and even loved. 31
In addition to the two major classifications just described, there are many other
ways to categorize groups. The four categories described next exhibit both primary
and secondary characteristics in varying degrees, with the fourth more purely
secondary than the first three.
Activity Group
A group formed Activity Groups
primarily for members
to participate in an Activity groups enable members to participate in an activity, both for the sake of doing
activity such as the activity and for the affiliation provided by doing the activity with others. The fol-
bridge, bowling, lowing are examples: book clubs, bridge and poker clubs, recreational vehicle clubs,
hunting, and so forth. hunting and bird-watching groups, video gaming clubs, and numerous other interest
groups. Members of such groups solve problems and make choices—when and where
to meet, how to pay for their activities, how group membership is determined—but
Personal Growth enjoyment of the activity and fellowship with others whose interests are similar are
Group the main purposes.
A group of people
who come together
to develop personal Personal Growth Groups
insights, overcome Therapy and support groups are called personal growth groups. They are composed of
personality problems, people who come together to develop personal insights, help themselves and others
and grow personally with personal problems, and grow as individuals from the feedback and support of
through feedback others. Goal interdependence is low because no purely group goal is sought; rather,
and support of members meet their individual needs for personal learning, awareness, and support in
others.
the context of the group. Following the 2016 mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, a
clinical psychologist started a grief support group for her church.
Learning Group
A group discussing Educational Groups
for the purpose of Small groups occur in educational contexts for a variety of purposes. Common
learning about and learning groups, often called study groups, form so that members can understand a
understanding a
subject more subject better by pooling their knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs. These tend to be
completely. voluntary and coordinated by interested students. Others, including cohorts, coopera-
tive learning groups, and collaborative learning groups, are used by educators and

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