Group Dynamics

When three or more people convene to form a group of any kind for any purpose, each of its members undergo a transformation, which may be minor or major. Groups change us. It is as though upon entering the doorway of any group, we slip into a mask and costume especially crafted for the character we have learned to play in return for our membership. Then, upon leaving, we shed that covering, as though the show is over and we can go home. We may rehearse an entire cast of such personalities, each one adapted to the role we play in a range of groups that characterise our social and professional landscape. Yet we are not fully in control of these roles, nor do we entirely determine how we think, feel, and act as a group member. Rather, the interpersonal dynamics of a group exert ineffable yet invincible influence, compelling us to set our own self aside as we adopt a modified persona, sometimes seeming to momentarily become someone else entirely. And while this can make the group experience delightful for some members, it can unleash torment upon others. Furthermore, while we may join some collectives at our own discretion, often we have no choice but to withstand membership of groups we cannot avoid, including those we call ‘family’, and ‘work. Therefore, understanding group dynamics, and the way people experience and express themselves as members, is an imperative requisite for fostering positive collectives that protect individuals from the harm groups can inflict. The Groups Dynamics Project aims to investigate and articulate these dynamics.