Properties of Groups
Malcolm Knowles (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2005), an important pioneer in our understanding of adult learning and what he calls “andragogy,” provides an insightful overview of the properties of groups that drive group behavior and affect group performance. He defines a group as having the following qualities and properties:
Definable Membership—Two or more people identify themselves by name or type.
Group Consciousness—Members think of themselves as a group, have a “collective perception of unity”—a conscious identification with one another.
Sense of Shared Purpose—Members have the same goals or ideals.
Interdependence—Members need the help of one another to accomplish the purposes for which ...
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