1. Hirokawa and Gouran claim that small groups are like living systems. Do you
see parallels between the four functional requisites of task groups and the body’s
need for respiration, circulation, digestion, and elimination?
2. Given that the functional theory focuses on decision-making and problem-solving
groups, why is its silence on relationship issues a problem?
3. Think of a time when you’ve been part of a task group that strayed from the
goal path. What counteractive statement could you have made that might have
brought it back on track?
4. Are you part of a bona fide small group? What institutional and historical issues
would need to be discussed in order to reach a quality decision you could
embrace and implement?
