Consider This 1.1

Do group members have to interact face-to-face to be a "real" group? Molly, Gloria’s stepdaughter, communicates frequently with her group of high school friends via email and instant messaging, even though group members are scattered in colleges from coast to coast. Molly would argue that this virtual group is just as "real" as when the women saw each other daily in high school, although there are some differences.

What differences do you see between face-to-face (FTF) and computer-mediated (CM) groups? What limitations might FTF groups have over CM groups, and vice versa? Do you think virtual groups are as satisfying as FTF groups? What difference might it make if the virtual group members know each other in FTF context as opposed to knowing each other just online?

Consider This 1.2

Were the Bremen Town Musicians, described in the opening story, more primary or secondary? Why do you think so? What factors seem more primary? What factors seem more secondary? To what extent did the group change over time? What primary and secondary groups do you belong to?

Consider This 1.3

From the types of groups just described, what kind of group would you call the Founders Park group mentioned earlier? Which of the descriptions provided seem to fit that group best?