Re: How do people decide which groups to join?

Posted by Mitchell on January 21, 2003, at 8:34:11

In reply to Re: How do people decide which groups to join?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2003, at 23:26:47

> But let me ask you, how do you think people decide which groups to join?
>
> Bob

I suspect much of the choice is guided by unconscious motivations. If a person grew up in an environment rich in conflict, a group where conflict exists side by side with caring conversation might be very familiar.
If so, then one might see a correlation between the spread of conflict (administrative involvement could be a measure of conflict) and increase in numbers. The more difficult question would be whether increased population led to increased conflict, or whether the conflict attracted and reinforced the commitment of group members.
This analysis isn't intended to demean anyone's motivations. I think we return to these environments hoping to recapitulate some troublesome experience. Maybe we are hoping something that led to conflict in our memory will work out better if we try it again elsewhere.
> > > > The groups are then systematically compared in terms of activity level (overall, by topic, and by user), types of communication (questions vs. information vs. opinions vs. suggestions)...
>
For me, efficacy is a more interesting question than why people join. I wonder how readability correlates with efficacy. I also wonder how readability correlates with conflict and with administrative policies.
It might also be worth an investigators time to review tools used for literary analysis. The taxonomy you suggest (questions vs. information vs. opinions vs. suggestions) might be all one could get their pencil around in one effort. But eventually, tools used in language and literature departments might contribute to a deeper understanding of how people use electronic publishing tools. Useful measures might include a count of first, second or third person voice, passive or active voice, and perhaps some regional correlation - some regions have different language patterns that might correspond with readability.

Thread

Dr B have you been talking about us? OddipusRex 1/19/03
Re: yes Dr. Bob 1/20/03
Re: yes Mitchell 1/20/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? Dr. Bob 1/20/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? » Dr. Bob M. Lee 1/21/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? Mitchell 1/21/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? » M. Lee Dr. Bob 1/21/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? Dr. Bob 1/21/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? Mitchell 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? shar 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? M. Lee 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? OddipusRex 1/22/03
Deciding to join PB » Dr. Bob IsoM 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? » Mitchell Dr. Bob 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? Dr. Bob 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? » OddipusRex Dr. Bob 1/22/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? M. Lee 1/23/03
Re: How do people decide which groups to join? M. Lee 1/24/03
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Re: paid advertising Dr. Bob 2/14/03

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