The Functional Perspective as a Lens for Understanding Groups

The functional perspective is a normative approach to describing and predicting group performance that focuses on the functions of inputs and/or processes. The aim of theory and research from this perspective is to understand why some groups are successful and others are not. This article investigat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Small group research 2004-02, Vol.35 (1), p.17-43
Main Authors: Wittenbaum, Gwen M., Hollingshead, Andrea B., Paulus, Paul B., Hirokawa, Randy Y., Ancona, Deborah G., Peterson, Randall S., Jehn, Karen A., Yoon, Kay
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Functional explanations
Functions
Group dynamics
Group performance
Theory
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Summary:The functional perspective is a normative approach to describing and predicting group performance that focuses on the functions of inputs and/or processes. The aim of theory and research from this perspective is to understand why some groups are successful and others are not. This article investigates theory and, to a lesser extent, research of small groups based on the functional perspective. The authors present the underlying theoretical assumptions and review theories that fit into the functional perspective from several representative areas of research. They conclude by outlining notable strengths and weaknesses associated with viewing groups from this perspective and propose some directions for future theory development.
ISSN:1046-4964
1552-8278
DOI:10.1177/1046496403259459