Project Information
Project Title
"Organic Growth Of Groups: When And How Do Bystanders Become An "In-group""
Institute
University of Groningen - Social Psychology
PhD Student
Aafke van Mourik-Broekman
Supervisor(s)
Prof.dr. T. Postmes (University of Groningen)
Prof.dr. E.H. Gordijn (University of Groningen)
Period
16 October 2013 - 16 October 2017
Funding
NWO - Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research
Summary
This research investigates group growth, in particular the transition from small to large groups. We focus on processes in small groups that enable such transition. Small groups are formed “organically” around interactions and interdependencies. We aim to show that bystanders can get psychologically involved in this, even without participating actively. Through emotional “contagion” and empathy, organic bonds can extend to bystanders. Psychologically, bystanders thus become part of an in-group. This process may, at a fundamental level, underpin a broad range of group growth phenomena and alter our understanding of large group formation.
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