An Inside to Group Interactions.

By: Yuliya Cheban

*Three or more people who interact and are interdependent in the sense that their needs and goals cause them to influence each other.

(Akert, Aronson, Wilson,, 237)

*Refers to the dynamics of the team and the way individuals in the group act towards one another.

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Group_Interaction

Looked for interactions between genders and groups while waiting for customer service. When: October 29, 2014

Where: Apple Store @ Sherman Oaks Fashion Square.

How long: 1 hour and 40 minutes.

WHAT DID I EXPECT?

• Men alone.

• Teenagers in large groups.

• Strangers not conversing.

• Women in pairs.

Total # observed: 178 people in 1 hour and 40 minutes @ the Apple Store.

• Males: 84.

• Females: 94.

66% of women came in with 1 or more friend(s).

41% of males were alone.

37% of people spoke with strangers.

10% of teenagers were in groups.

What I Expected:

More females would be in pairs.

More males would be alone.

Teenagers in large groups.

Strangers not conversing.

What I found:

66% of women came in with 1 or more friend(s).

41% of males were alone.

37% of people spoke with strangers.

10% of teenagers were in groups.

My predication was correct with women being in groups and strangers not being interested in conversing with each other.

My predication was incorrect as more males were also in pairs and there were not a significant amount of teenagers in groups.

*A kind of thinking in which maintaining group cohesiveness and solidarity is more important than considering the facts in a realistic manner. (Akert, Aronson, Wilson, 250)

The situation: Lack of techs at the Genius Bar + overwhelmed customers.

2 pairs of people. 1) Male and Female 2) Female and Female.

While waiting to be helped @ the Genius Bar, these two pairs of people became very friendly and all spoke of the negative experience they were having.

There was a clear line and both parties were next in line.

They seemed to have all wound themselves up to be furious with the service and decided to all leave.

Later I saw both parties return (at different times) to seek out the service they originally came in for – the lines were ever longer, but they both patiently waited.

Understanding:

These 4 people created a cohesive bond that caused them to make an irrational decision –leaving the store. Once they left the store and the bond was broken, there was no room for “groupthink”, which lead to rational thinking.

*Based on the text and my research, groupthink is a very evident concept.

I had financial support, time, and a large staff of people to help me carry out this study?

Ability to hire and pay researchers!!!

More time = more subjects = greater chance of receiving correct results.

I would position researchers at different corners of the store.

Would be able to reach more subjects.

Be able to receive different perspectives.