Answer to Question 1
The size of a group is one of its most important features. Interactions are more personal and intense in a small groupa collectivity small enough for all members to be acquainted with one another and to interact simultaneously. Sociologist Georg Simmel suggested that small groups have distinctive interaction patterns that do not exist in larger groups. According to Simmel, in a dyada group composed of two members the active participation of both members is crucial for the group's survival. If one member withdraws from interaction or quits, the group ceases to exist. Dyads provide members with a more intense bond and a sense of unity not found in most large groups. When a third person is added to a dyad, a triad, a group composed of three members is formed. The nature of the relationship and interaction patterns changes with the addition of the third person. In a triad, even if one member ignores another or declines to participate, the group can still function. In addition, two members may unite to create a coalition that can subject the third member to group pressure to conform. If two members form a coalition, the other member may be seen as an outsider or intruder. As the size of a group increases beyond three people, members tend to specialize in different tasks, and everyday communication patterns change.
For instance, in groups of more than six or seven people, it becomes increasingly difficult for everyone to take part in the same conversations; therefore, several conversations will probably take place simultaneously.
Members are also likely to take sides on issues and form a number of coalitions. In groups of more than ten or twelve people, it becomes virtually impossible for all members to participate in a single conversation unless one person serves as moderator and guides the discussion.
Answer to Question 2
a
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