Group size

Size does matter — at least as far as groups are concerned. In very small groups, the addition or loss of one member can of course make a radical difference to the group process. Larger groups need to be managed in quite different ways from smaller ones. So let's tackle this systematically: "Formal" features refer to necessary properties of the group, and are functions of the number of people: "Process" features are more empirically determined, and assume more importance as the size gets greater.

But what is a "group"? For present purposes, let us stipulate that it is:

a collection of people
in each others' presence (I am leaving aside virtual groups and sociologically defined reference groups here: this site is mainly about face-to-face teaching, after all)
who are aware of each other (some of my students make the sound point that a lot of the theory breaks down in the case of people with severe or profound learning disabilities. Note, too, that beyond "awareness", the manner of awareness can also make an important difference, as in the case of sensory impairments: eye-contact is not available as a "cueing" device, for example, for visually-impaired people—and the process of communication can be radically changed if the medium is visual, as with sign language)
and who interact with each other (the collection of people on a bus, or in a doctor's waiting room, may simply be regarded as a collection of individuals — or a set of small, dyadic or triadic, groups — for most purposes and under normal circumstances)

1	Can you have a group of one? Not formally, but in process terms the question raises a number of issues which are worth thinking about: You can have a sub-group of one: and the sub-group (that one individual) takes his identity as much from his context within the group as from his individual personality You can have one person who represents a group, either formally or informally, perhaps in her own eyes, perhaps more in the eyes of other people (as when someone is stereotyped, or "tarred with the same brush"), or is wearing a uniform or badge of an organisation. You can have one person remaining from a group which has fragmented, left "holding the baby" as it were. All these scenarios suggests that the group has emergent properties which go beyond the individuals who comprise it.
2	Formally: potential for unanimity or equal disagreement. Each person potentially has 50% of the "air-time". Very vulnerable to loss and addition. Process: the mating group, with potential for very strong feelings. The irreducible minimum for emergence of any group properties. Power becomes an issue. Polarisation and projection are possible.
3	Formally: potential for unanimity or majority-minority splits or fragmentation. Each person potentially has 33% of the "air-time". Very vulnerable to loss and addition. Process: now the group is getting more interesting.
4	Formally: potential for unanimity, equal splits or three-versus-one splits. Each member could have 25% of air-time. Slightly less vulnerable. Process: Variety makes complete fragmentation less likely. This is probably the optimum size for small syndicate or "buzz" groups: there is sufficient variety in the group to reap the benefits of group working, but it is not large enough for anyone to hide. Sub-groupings of any substantial duration are possible, but not very likely.
5-6	Formally: less change this time, except that with five members you can only have equal splits if someone is not counted or abstains. The possibility of four- or five-versus-one splits makes group pressure more potent. Air-time now down to 20%, which is low, considering the process issues of participation levels. Process: Can be used for exercises as above, but roles may be more discrete and are slightly more likely to get "fixed". Either bring in a formal — if lightweight — structure, such as suggesting a chairperson, or use when the group is to act as a team with predetermined roles.
7-8	The preferred size for therapy groups. In process terms, the group is physically larger, although still comfortable in a circle. Eye-contact is still possible with everyone, but not without turning your head. Greater distance makes for slightly more formal speech. Some members may be inhibited by groups of this size and larger. Group development processes are more pronounced and take longer, so if you need to use groups of this size for exercises: Make sure that they stay together for a substantial period (hours rather than minutes) Provide an appropriate working structure. Sub-grouping gets more likely, and the group pressure potential is now quite high.
12	The next qualitative shift comes with the upper limit of the "small group". Beyond twelve, the avoidance of sub-groupings is only possible with quite active structuring. Assuming the group is in a circle, the arc of the circle is now so flat that you can't pick up non-verbal cues from your neighbour without turning. The opposite side of the circle will now be about three metres away: this affects non-verbal cues, and calls for a louder than usual voice and hence a more formal register. The average air-time is down to 8%. People may not notice if you do not contribute. There are now so many people in the group that if some roles are necessary, they will be apportioned at the rate of one or fewer per member: stereotyping is more likely. This is a reasonable size for a participative class, however. It is divisible by 2, 3, 4 and 6, offering useful combinations, and the role of the teacher as chairperson is sufficient to address its normal problems.
18	Allowing for resource constraints, the next best size for a class. All the potential problems of 12 are amplified, but still quite manageable, and you have almost the same factoring possibilities for small group working, although you will have to settle for two fours and two fives for syndicates: even so, there aren't too many groups to take reporting-back. However, there is a strange phenomenon I have noticed over many years: it is almost impossible to set up a short course with exactly 18 members attending. Either someone drops out if you recruit exactly the right number, or if you recruit over to be on the safe side, they all turn up. 17 and 19 are both prime numbers, and really foul up any pair-based work!
30	Let's get real. Class sizes in compulsory education are at this level or greater in the state sector, and in higher education it is not unknown to have so-called "seminar" or even "tutorial" groups of this size. That calls for another page.

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This is an archived copy of Atherton J S (2013) Learning and Teaching [On-line: UK] Original material by James Atherton: last up-dated overall 10 February 2013

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