group process
Definition
Group process refers to the dynamic evolution of behavior change in social groups driven by social influence among individual members. These processes involve both assimilative social influence, where individuals modify their behavior to become more similar to their peers, and repulsive social influence, where individuals modify their behavior to differ from their peers. Group processes can be modeled using dynamical systems methods, such as Boolean network approaches, which estimate temporal relations between group members' behaviors and infer the direction and strength of social influence operating within the group. The outcomes of group processes include the emergence of roles, group structures, and group norms, and they can be managed through network-based interventions designed to direct groups toward desired behavioral states.
Sources: Yang et al. (2024)
Related Terms
Applications
Group Process and Social Influence
Social influence is the primary mechanism driving group processes, operating through both assimilative pathways, where individuals conform to peers' behavior, and repulsive pathways, where individuals adopt behaviors opposite to their peers. The temporal relations between group members' behaviors at consecutive time points allow researchers to infer whether social influence is assimilative or repulsive and to model how these influences change over time.
Sources: Yang et al. (2024)
Group Process and Network-based Interventions
Group processes can be managed through network-based interventions that apply control theory principles to direct groups toward desired behavioral outcomes without manipulating social ties. By identifying group-specific network control strategies derived from Boolean network models, practitioners can develop targeted interventions to promote desired behaviors among group members.
Sources: Yang et al. (2024)
