Virtual Online Communities as Powerful Secondary Groups in Multiple Social Contexts

Abstract

Online and offline discussion groups can be quite different with regard to the composition and personality characteristics of their members, the goals of the group and the context in which they exist. Multiple dynamics likely affect and influence the structure and performance of any given group.  Most of these dynamics can potentially affect the group, regardless of the domain, virtual or face-to-face, and generate similar result.   There are qualities of online communication settings and qualities of face-to-face settings that can uniquely influence the dynamics of a group in those respective settings. This study explores the functioning of virtual online groups and examines potentially influential factors for the workings of groups of various types.

Keywords: Virtual groups, Group Dynamics, Online communication, New Media