One concept from Chapter 3, I found useful and interesting, that has not already been discussed is “Cohesion” which is referred to as “group cohesion” in the text. It describes how it is a result how well group members interact amongst each other and this also refers to the attraction the individual has to a group. For example, the group I am in, I was attracted to it before the first semester of my freshman year when I started at San Jose State. I had been apart of something similar just not as “legit” in high school, and was hoping our school here had something similar. Turns out, it was even way better than what I was expecting and our group has grown over the past three years I have been here. What I also found interesting and true on cohesion was the influence on cohesion which can consist of how many people are in the group, the background of the similarity of the group members, the satisfaction of the group members in the tasks they are engaged in.
I also found this concept helpful because it reminds me of why I joined the group I am in, in the first place and why I keep returning every semester (it is a semester thing) and it is rewarding for me to be a part of it each semester and I have met wonderful people from it each and every semester I have been it in while being in college. We all usually find a group we want to be a part in whether it’s a campus group such as a sorority or fraternity, an athletic team, a club, or even at work. There is something that attracts or had attracted us to it and once we find our “niche”, cohesion plays a role in that process as well and I think it is a great source to know, use, and be more aware of.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience on cohesion. I do think that the more similarities group members share, the more cohesive the group. It is great that you feel more attracted to the group you are a part of now than in high school. From my personal experience, sometimes transitioning from something like high school to college can make existing friendships stronger or you go your separate ways. I think that sometimes interests change and people might find one group more in-tune with them than the old one. There is also distance. If you go to a new school, most of the year you will not have your old friends, so finding new ones who are in the same situation or context as you might make the bond stronger. I agree that once you find your niche, cohesion plays a role in the process. Thanks for sharing little miss daisy!
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