The Changing Epistemological Assumptions of Group Theory

Recent world events have brought the need to better understand how to work and live in a heterogeneous world into relief. The origins of group dynamics and development theory are reviewed, arguing that although traditional group theory has proven useful in homogeneous groups, applying these theories to the heterogeneous groups common to organizations today counters efforts to honor and promote multiculturalism. The ways in which traditional theory, due to its epistemological origins in organicism, tacitly undermines efforts to promote the inclusion of multiple voices in groups is described. The authors demonstrate how a paradigmatic shift from organicism to contextualism provides a framework for generating more useful theories and practices of group dynamics and development that include heterogeneity and pluralism and acknowledge the role of power and privilege. Principles for a contextualist theory of group dynamics and process are developed, stressing the pragmatic values of utility and action.