Patterns of interaction

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Interactions that take place within a group tend to follow a particular pattern. Types of patterns of interaction: All-channel network Chain network Wheel network

All- channel network

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Takes place if group members stay together and shared every piece of information with one another. Group members must be face-to-face

A chain network

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When interaction and communication moves sequentially from one member to another Good for simple messages Tend to break down with more complex messages

Wheel network

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All communication within the group goes through one person who is at the center of the groups operation

Communication networks

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Within a group, people are positive ("attracted" or moving towards) one another, or negative ("repulsed" or move away from) others (as in magnetic or chemical attractions and repulsions, e.g. oil and water) via a flow of feeling. This flow of feeling relates to behaviour.

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The flow may be mutual and reciprocated, or non-mutual and therefore, conflicted. It is these flows of feeling, the socioemotional, or psycho-social connections between people, that form informal networks of relationships.

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Sociometry is a science which enables us to explore and display the informal relationships between people.

A method of indicating the feelings of acceptance or rejection among group members The word sociometry comes from a latin word socius meaning social and metrum meaning measure
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Why Sociometry

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When relationship dynamics are hindering people producing business results When you want to move your organisation(s) from isolated silos to collaborative networks When you want to strengthen teams working in demanding situations When you need ways to surface and sort out issues of group conflict, trust and identity When you want to understand and address the "soft" and unspoken aspects of everyday group life When you need to develop appropriate behaviours for your ideal work culture When its time to integrate thinking, feeling and action in business relationships When you want to release the informal leadership abilities within your organisation
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How much interpersonal trust exists within a small group of members We will use the symbols + to indicate High Trust, O to indicate Moderate Trust, and to indicate Distrust/Conflict.

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This matrix already tells us a great deal about the group dynamics. With a little analysis the matrix becomes something like an x-ray or CAT scan of the groups interpersonal relationships. Columns showing a large percentage of +s can identify the informal leader(s) of the group. Columns showing -s can identify those people the group may be close to rejecting. Rows showing all Os or all +s may highlight people who fear self-disclosure or people who are undifferentiated in social relationships
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Another important pattern to look for is what are called mutual's. A mutual occurs when I rate you at the same level you rate me. Positive mutual's show bonding in a group Negative mutual's show areas of conflict

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Sociograms It is a way of taking a snapshot of the structure of the interpersonal relationship in the group. It can help you identify potential leaders as well as the marginalized members of the group.
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Use colors to identify mutual's The numbers in the bottom row indicates the total number of times a particular person has appeared on others list. Make three concentric circles and put the person with the maximum number of appearances at the center.

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Arrange others with increasing distance based upon the number of appearances. You may decide the limits for each circle. Eg: Innermost circle 8-9 Middle Circle- 6-7 Outermost -2-5 Connect people with mutual selection
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