Group status and intragroup processes in small groups of students

The study investigates group status and group processes between students wo rking in small groups in the classroom. 40 lessons of ten teachers were obs erved and videotaped. It can be shown that there is a different status and leadership behaviour between the members of the groups but very interesting . there is no "free rider" effect. Status differences are not a constant ph enomenon on over different lessons and they are not important for good resu lts at the end of group work but sensitive for the leadership practiced in group work. Between the group processes and the results there are specific relationships. Implications for managing group work are discussed.