A Quantitative Analysis of Intragroup Relationships

Abstract

Although the nature of relationships within groups has been widely discussed by sociologists and social psychologists, the numbers and forms of the relationships which inhere within the group framework have received little attention. This paper is an analysis of the quantitative aspects of intragroup relationships. Specific formulas are presented for the determination of the various possible combinatory subgroupings. The question is then raised as to whether the dynamics of group behavior might be better understood through a derived ratio of actual to potential relationships (A.R./P.R.). Fields of inquiry are set up in which the A.R./P.R. hypothesis can be tested.