One concept I thought interesting was the “Sensitivity to initial conditions” section. Similar to real life, first impressions are also important in small groups. If someone is twenty minutes late to the first group meeting, the other group members would be suspicious of that particular person. When he/she is tardy to future meetings, their group mates will wonder if they are really dedicated in helping the group. They will begin to have doubts on the individual’s efforts to be punctual. Not only is being on time is crucial, but providing suggestions are significant as well.
If someone in the group is just sitting there doing nothing, he/she is not making a good contribution. The other group members might think that they are disinterested in helping the group move forward. They will consider this particular person as unproductive in the group process. It is better to carefully record notes and ask questions if something is unclear. For some people, it takes time for them to get into the small group discussion. By writing notes, it helps the person think clearly and bring up new ideas. This demonstrates to other group members that he or she uses any means to participate. Most importantly, they will recognize this person as a hard worker.
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Ari Gold,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job in demonstrating how important first impressions are through your example. It’s important to display dedication and trustworthiness when working in groups by giving the other team members respect. The point you make regarding contribution is significant because by writing notes to generate creativity, it will help the group become aware of your attempt to participate in being a team member. I also concur that “providing suggestions are significant as well” as you state because it shows your effort in contributing to your group. Harris feels that “first impressions create a baseline on which subsequent interactions are built,” (p.36) which is congruent to your opinion on the importance of first impressions.
Finan Hagos
I completely agree that sensitivity of first impressions is extremely important a small group setting. "First impressions last a lifetime" is a great saying that illustrates the point you made here really well. I think many people judge others by what is to come or what is to be expected of them when it comes to small groups because everyone's performance affects one another. That's why first impressions are so important to small groups, because it's kind of like a snapshot of the future for individuals in the group. It wouldn't make sense to be part of a group that seems like it would be unsuccessful based on the initial impression you gathered from it. I think the idea of irreversibility (which Jrod talked about on his blog) is an idea that feeds off of this one pretty well. Once you say or do something, its really hard to reverse the initial impression or affect it had on someone else, even after an apology, future encounters, etc.
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