Textbook Problem

GROUP LEARNING

Organization Culture in the Classroom and Beyond

Step 1. Write down on the table below the norms that you believe to operating in the following places: (1) in most of your courses, (2) in formal social groups such as fraternities and sororities and (3) in student clubs or school-sponsored organizations. Use your personal experience in each place and consider the norms. Some norms are implicit, so you may have to think carefully to identify them. Other norms may be explicit. Make sure you list norms but not practices. The difference is that when a norm is broken, there is some negative reaction, or even punishment, while violating a practice carries no negative result.

Step 2. After you have developed your lists, divide into groups of four to six students to discuss norms. Each student should share with the group the norms identified for each of the assigned places. Make a list of norms for each place and brainstorm any additional norms that you and fellow group members can think of.

Step 3. Try to group the norms by common themes, and give each group of norms a title. Decide as a group which norms are most important for regulating student behavior in each location. Use the table below.

Step 4. As a group, analyze the source or origin of each of the more important norms. Does the norm originate in the environment, from a leader, or elsewhere? Can you find any examples of norms that are expressed but not followed, which means that do not "walk the talk" of the norms?

Step 5. What did you learn about cultural norms that exist in organizations and social groups? How is it helpful to make explicit those aspects of organizational culture that are typically implicit? Who should be responsible for setting norms in your courses or in student social groups and organizations?