Interdependence is fundamental to the formation of a small group. Define the term and identify and describe the three factors that must be included for interdependence to be present

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Sample student response:

Interdependence—each member is connected or interacting with the others in some significant way and all members depend on each other for assistance, support, cooperation, success, and survival.

The following factors must be present for interdependence to occur:

Collective Identity—a shared sense of the individual belonging to the group and being responsible for the group goal.

Synergy—the process of taking individual members and mixing their strengths together to form something stronger, better, and more effective.

Cohesion—the state of joining and working together as a unit, coupled with the wish to remain part of the unit.