ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some basic ideas regarding group assembly, continuation, and impact. Research on group formation describes how individuals come to be associated with one another. But a mere assemblage of people is not automatically defined as a "group." Regardless of how the group was assembled, all groups develop sets of behavioral rules. These rules address such things as acceptable behavior within the group, rules of procedure, and roles. Another aspect of group rewards is association with people who are socially desirable; that is, they possess characteristics that society as a whole values. Communication between group members is essential. Without it, coordination of activities and integration of information is extremely difficult, sometimes impossible. A formal communication network is one that describes how group members are "supposed" to interact with one another. Group membership exerts a strong influence over much of our daily lives. It affects how we interact with others and how we think about ourselves.
