#2 Entropy and equifinality

Entropy and equifinality impact small groups in a way that makes all groups unique. It shows us that there is more than one way to reach a specific goal, and that different groups experience different levels of barriers and roadblocks to that goal. Not all groups will have the same level of entropy or chaos to deal with. For example, if a basketball coach is highly critical of his team and punishes them with every little mistake in order to maintain a high level of control, his or her players can respond to it by becoming disorganized because they think every move they make will be a mistake. On the other hand if a coach lacks enthusiasm and attention to detail, players will not feel the need to listen to him or her and the group will lack direction. These two factors make sure that groups find the best environment for them to operate in so that the group can achieve the most success.

#1 Systems and interdependance

The idea that groups are living systems that function off of one another is easiest for me to see when I try to view groups as clocks. A clock works by all of its parts functioning together in order to achieve the goal of telling the most accurate time. When one gear or cog is not functioning properly, it affects all the gears attached to it. Small groups work in the same way because if one or more people do not communicate well within a group, then it affects the groups overall success. Basketball is a great example because it is a good model of a small group needing to achieve the common goal of winning. If one player cannot defend against his or her opponent and that opponent continually scores against them, then that negatively affects the group as a whole. In turn, the team (group) will no longer rely on that person as a trustworthy defender and they must compensate for this. Its as if a gear is not functioning properly, and it causes all the other parts around it to work even harder to achieve their common goal.