W2 - Discussion Question # 2

Entropy and equifinality impact small groups in different ways. Entropy includes stagnation, chaos, and disorganization which can ultimately cause a small group to go off course and prolong reaching the goal. In addition, participants of the small group may become frustrated which can cause negative feelings amongst small group members. However, I think that it would be easier to find a way to work through chaos and disorganization because in some ways it means that everyone (or least most group members) is contributing; whereas, if the small group were to be stagnant, it would be harder to motivate group members to participate. I think equifinality can be a byproduct of entropy in that while there may be chaos and disorganization at one point, as long as the goal is reached, the task is completed. Our text describes equifinality as “the fact that living systems can take different routes to their destination” (pg. 34). While equifinality can probably be just as frustrating because it may seem like the group is not reaching their goal, it is not the case. Everyone is different and works in different ways, so it is impossible to expect that everyone think the same way in reaching a particular goal. Whether it takes a long time, or a few trials to reach the goal, all that matters in the end is that the goal has been reached.