The group as a self-active system: outline of a theory of group action

Human social systems, and groups actively strive towards the achievement of external and internal goals. This 'group action9 consists of simultaneous integrated processes on various individual and social levels. Suggests four groups of constructs, which refer to task structure, group structure, information processing and execution. In an ongoing group action, the task structure is projected on the group structure; according to the resulting pattern, the group processes its action related information and executes the act. The latter two processes proceed on an individual and on a group level. There are cognition, emotion and volition on the individual, and communication on the group level of information processing; execution proceeds in individual action and in cooperation. A specific part of the theory concerns analogies between individual cognition and intragroup communication. (Original abstract--Amended)