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Last updated February 24, 2000

Explanation of Theory:  The loathsome group experience described by most people.

Theorists:   S. M. Sorensen

Date:  1981

Primary Article:Sorensen, S. M. (1981). Group-hate: A negative reaction to group work. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the
 International Communication Association, Minneapolis, MN
 

Individual Interpretations:  A lot of times when people are place in work groups (especially in school) there is usually that one person who does not want to have anything to do with the group.  MOst of the time this person hates groups because of a previous group experience.  This is where the theory of group hate comes from.
 

Metatheoretical Assumptions:

Ontological Assumptions: Individuals have the choice to hate groups or to like groups.  This decision is based on previous experiences within groups.  Each individual acts with free will.
 

Epistemological Assumptions: Group hate is scientific because it is based upon one truth.  That truth is, when individuals have a bad group experience then they are more likely to dislike working with groups in the future.
 

Axiological Assumptions: Values Conscience.
 

Critique:  Explanatory power: Group hate helps explain the human phenomena of groups and individuals distrust of groups and work
 teams.

 Predictive Power: Group hate lacks predictive power. It states that individuals will dislike groups based on past experiences
but it fails to examine the characteristics which bring individuals to distrust groups.

Parsimony: Groups hate is simply stated and very straight forward yet it helps researchers understand the behavior of individuals towards groups.

 Testability: The behaviors, which lead to group hate, could be observed and researched in a lab environment.

 Internal Consistency:

 Heuristic Provocativness: Future research can be generated from the theory of Group Hate. Specific characteristics and elements that an individual has or has experienced can be determined.

Organizing Power:
 

Ideas and Implications: The theory of Group Hate offers an explanation into the human phenomenon of individual dislike for working in-groups. Group Hate does offer an explanation of why group members continue to dislike groups, much like Janis’ Group Think, Group Hate offers explanation after the fact.
 

Example: When an individual has a previous bad group experience this experience makes this individual prejudice to groups and group work.
 
 

Relevant Research:
 
 

Location in Eight (8) Primary Communication Theory Textbooks:

     Anderson, R., & Ross, V. (1998). Questions of communication: A practical introduction to theory (2nd ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press.  N/A

     Cragan, J. F., & Shields, D.C. (1998). Understanding communication theory: The communicative forces for human action. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. N/A

     Griffin, E. (2000). A first look at communication theory (4th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. N/A

     Griffin, E. (1997). A first look at communication theory (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. N/A

      Infante, D. A., Rancer, A. S., & Womack, D. F. (1997). Building communication theory (3rd ed.). Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. N/A

      Littlejohn, S. W. (1999). Theories of human communication (6th ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. N/A

      West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2000). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and application. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield. N/A

       Wood, J. T. (1997). Communication theories in action: An introduction. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. N/A