order to facilitate communication, Robert gave only a work number, where the rest of us gave both home and work in order to be more accessible. Since Robert had faced the decision of whether to terminate life support with regard to his mother, he was considered an asset by the rest of us with regard to the euthanasia project.
All group share some points of commonality, and have differences, as well. In a work situation, the commonality is likely to arise from a shared understanding of the project under consideration, similar skills, or a desire to achieve a common objective. Participation in a group situation in a business environment is voluntary to the point that individuals move into the group through voluntary employment with the organization. Movement into and out of groups in business can be limited, or there may be a large degree of mobility.
In this group situation, the points of commonality began with the fact that each of us sought both credit and a good grade from the class. Another point of commonality is that each of us were students and presumably shared skills with regard to research projects, although our group experience was limited. This was, for example, the first formal group in which Carol participated.
The differences in the group came from their ages, their backgrounds and their life experiences; in other words, similar differences that would be encountered in almost any group. Where participation in many groups is voluntary, participation in this group was required in order to complete the course requirements. There was some resentment among the group members in the way that the groups were formed because the students did not have any say into which group they were placed. This resentment was especially keen for Jeannine and myself, who also competed for the group leader role.
Although initially resentful of the way in which the groups were formed, I tried to accept the situation and to estab...