Group Size, Member Dissatisfaction, and Group Radicalism

Abstract

The study explores the thesis that group size, as it influences interaction patterns and attitudes of members within the immediate group situation, will affect the orientations toward societal change which become adopted by members. Twenty large (15-member) and twenty small (5-member) groups were compared. The groups were instructed to discuss and reach consensus on a set of conservatism-radicalism items. The findings supported hypotheses concerning: (1) a positive correlation between group size and member dissatisfaction; (2) a positive correlation between member dissatisfaction and group radicalism; and (3) a positive correlation between size and group radicalism. In addition, differences in these trends were observed as a function of sex composition of the groups.