This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (10) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Wheelan, S. A. Articles by Abraham, M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Concept of Intergroup Mirroring: Reality or Illusion?

Temple University; 6607 Greene Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119.

Marcia Abraham

Temple University

The purpose of this research was to investigate the viability of intergroup mirroring as a theoretical construct. Mirroring is said to occur when two or more groups operating within the same social system act in similar ways. The Institutional Event of a Group Relations Conference was the focus of study. The staff group and two member groups were audiotaped. Each group met five times and each session was 1¹/2 hours in length. A content analysis method was used to determine the conversational themes in each group. Seven major themes were identified in this manner. The findings suggested that mirroring occurred among the groups in both the total amount of minutes and the percentage of actual group time spent in discussion of the various themes. Mirroring was also noted during simultaneously occurring sessions but infrequently. In addition, the groups became more aligned over time with regard to developmental processes and their responses to focal issues. Intergroup mirroring was evident in the overall discussion content of the groups and was more prevalent in later sessions. The findings of this exploratory study suggested that intergroup mirroring appears to be the result of interaction over time, multiple conversations, and the continuous exchange of information as opposed to leader influence or the responses of leaders to critical incidents. Intergroup mirroring may describe not only the result (alignment) but also the process by which alignment occurs. Intergroup mirroring appears to be the regulatory process by which variations in intragroup dynamics and intergroup attributions become increasingly aligned in order to support both the viability of individual groups and the system as a whole.

Key Words: intergroup mirroring • organizational culture • group dynamics • developmental processes

Human Relations, Vol. 46, No. 7, 803-825 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/001872679304600702


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. A. Wheelan Group Size, Group Development, and Group Productivity Small Group Research, April 1, 2009; 40(2): 247 - 262. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. A. Wheelan, B. Davidson, and F. Tilin Group Development Across Time: Reality or Illusion? Small Group Research, April 1, 2003; 34(2): 223 - 245. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. A. Wheelan and A. R. Lisk Cohort Group Effectiveness and the Educational Achievement of Adult Undergraduate Students Small Group Research, December 1, 2000; 31(6): 724 - 738. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. A. Wheelan and F. Tilin The Relationship between Faculty Group Development and School Productivity Small Group Research, February 1, 1999; 30(1): 59 - 81. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Buzaglo and S. A. Wheelan Facilitating Work Team Effectiveness: Case Studies from Central America Small Group Research, February 1, 1999; 30(1): 108 - 129. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. A. Wheelan and F. Johnston The Role of Informal Member Leaders in a System Containing Formal Leaders Small Group Research, February 1, 1996; 27(1): 33 - 55. [Abstract]

				S. A. Wheelan and J. M. Hochberger Validation Studies of the Group Development Questionnaire Small Group Research, February 1, 1996; 27(1): 143 - 170. [Abstract]