Group Induction

Description

When a new person joins a group, there is often a distinct process through which they pass as they are integrated in to become a fully-fledged team member.

There are formal and informal processes of induction. The formal induction occurs where the person is sat down and told who does what, how things are done, what their role is and so on. There may also be a solemn ritual that is designed as a transition point, for example where a person is baptized in water or a kneeling knight is dubbed with a sword.

Most groups also have an informal process whereby the group norms are taught to new people, for example when the new person talks about a taboo subject, then the topic is ignored. They may also be taken aside later and given a gentle (or not so gentle) scolding.

The new person may have to prove themself worthy via some ritual act, for example where a street gang subjects a new member to a beating (to prove their hardiness) or requires them to commit a criminal act.

Discussion

When a new person joins a group it can be like a virus entering a body. Existing group members worry about their place in the social order and there can be a kind of 'shakedown' as the new person battles for their social position (and thereby pushes some others down the social order).

The person also will need to represent the group to external people and they may be hidden away until the group deems that they are fully inducted. For a group member to interface incorrectly with out-group people is to corrupt the image of the group, which, as it is tied up with the personal identity of group members is of particular concern.

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Group Induction

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