When talking about entropy and small groups it is important that the group keeps on focus and keeps pushing to achieve their overall goal. In order to not lose focus, the group must keep a steady input of information and thoughts but it can’t go overboard with chaos. When too much is put in, they lose track of what it was they were talking about and other start to try to overpower one and other. From too much over stimulation the group can turn from positive inputted group to an over processing negative group that stops listening to one and others ideas. There is an importance of balance between what comes in and what is said. Also you can’t have over control by one or more people of the group, yet not all be at a bottom basic level. To keep a mutual understanding that you are all in this group together can help achieve maximum outcome.
Equifinality is simple and a concept I like to use in my own life. There isn’t just one way of doing things in most of life. As long as you get to an answer and do so by working together it works all the same way. No one really cares sometimes how you got what you did or where you got to, but the simple fact that you did it and came to a conclusion or destination is what matters most. In small groups every has a different background and by bringing together what each person in the group has experience in can help guide the group to a conclusion by using a different way from another group. Every group is going to have their strength and weaknesses but that’s what will make the outcome and the journey to the outcome unique.
Great post! I agree that balance is key to small group communication. It actually applies to both concepts - First, with entropy, as you mentoned in the equifinality section, everyone brings in their own ideas and their own experiences. I think this applies to entropy as well because when there is too much input and too many different ideas, the group does not move forward. That is why order is important, but of course too much order and too much restriction will stifle creativity and maximum outcome (as you mentioned).
ReplyDeleteI also agree that equifinality can be a great thing. There is more than one way to the finish line. Think outside the box - etc. The outcome and the journey is definitely made unique that way, but it is also important to remember to work as a group and to use some of the techniques that may help you. For instance, if I want to lose weight, I can crash diet or I can change my lifestyle. Both will help me lose weight but which one will benefit me more in the long run?
Good job on your post for question 2. I agree with many things you say especially the part where you stated that "the group must keep a steady input of information and thoughts but it can’t go overboard with chaos." because people can only input so much information at a time, and if people receive much more information than they can take they begin to get frustrated and lose focus on the necessary task. Which is why group members need to stick only to the main points that revolve with the assignment because if they go off topic the whole group goes off the topic.
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