Sequences and Cycles in Social Interaction

Studies of group interaction identify several behavioral regularities. Actors reciprocate others'behavior, influence one another, and allocate rewards to reflect emergent hierarchies. Patterns vary based on internal group dynamics and on attributes such as gender, race, or task skill. An issue...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Small group research 1997-08, Vol.28 (3), p.333-356
Main Author: Shelly, Robert K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cycles
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Group Dynamics
Intergroup Relations
Interpersonal Relations
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Sequences
Small Groups
Social Interaction
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social psychology
Task Oriented Groups
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Summary:Studies of group interaction identify several behavioral regularities. Actors reciprocate others'behavior, influence one another, and allocate rewards to reflect emergent hierarchies. Patterns vary based on internal group dynamics and on attributes such as gender, race, or task skill. An issue that has received little attention-the dynamic embedded in these emergent interaction patterns-is the focus of this article. The analysis employs fundamental interaction sequences which include patterns of questioning, answering, and rewarding. Understanding sequences increases understanding of emergent interaction patterns reflected in cycles of interchange patterns. Data from 70 task groups were coded to reveal sequences of interaction. Questions asked correlated with answers given and rewards received. Reciprocity between actors in initiating and receiving answers, as well as initiating and receiving positive and negative rewards, is also common. Thesefindings help link studies of interaction processes and of social structures.
ISSN:1046-4964
1552-8278
DOI:10.1177/1046496497283001