Characteristics Of Positive Group Behaviour
1. They exist to promote the common good of the masses and not to take over the running of the
government.
2. The source of their income remains levies, donations, and dues. They can get financial support
from members of the society who appreciate their activities.
3. They are well-organized. Their leadership is carefully tested, selected and approved.
4. They accept membership only from those who possess the requisite criteria.
5. They have body of knowledgeable experts who can relate with people from all walks of life –
religion, military, civilian, economy, traditional institutions, etc.
Ways Through Which Constructive Group Behaviours Can Be Carried Out In Society
1. Lobbying
This is the approach used by the organized bodies to explain in details, the merits and demerits of
a particular issue which they project. Through lobbying, they persuade those that matter in the
society to accept their proposals for their own good and that of the society.
2. Strikes, Lock-outs And Boycotts
Organized groups like NBA, TUC, NUT, ASUU, NLC, etc, use strikes, lockouts and boycotts to
press home demands. In attempts to avoid the great damage that may result from long strikes, the
governments or owners of an organization may agree to the terms of agitation.
3. Publicity Campaigns
Social groups such as CAN, NUT, ASUU, NLC, etc, organize extensive campaigns through
meetings, rallies, house-to-house visits, posters, hand-bills stickers, conferences, flyers, etc, to
reach the people and attract their support or sympathy in order to get their intentions achieved.
4. Use Of Mass Media
Positive groups use advertisements and sponsored programmes on the radio, television and
newspapers to convince the entire public about their products, intentions, etc, and urge them to
accept.
5. Petitions
Positive groups write open petitions to the appropriate quarters or persons to inform them of what
is wrong and suggest constructive remedies to them.
6. Peaceful Demonstrations
Positive groups use peaceful demonstrations to press-home their demands, rights, and other
intentions. They can march out in the streets, carrying placards stating their demands, and calling
for support from the public.
Benefits Of Positive Group Behaviours
There are so many benefits in positive group behaviours. They among others include:
1. Companionship
This is the pleasant feeling that is shared in friendly relationship. Positive group behaviours
encourage this in companionship. This pleasant feeling include love, or affection. The family,
social clubs, sports competitions, etc, have much of these pleasant feelings. Through
companionship, good social behaviours are taught and learnt. Members learn social obligations,
rights, laws, duties and other forms of acceptable conducts. They also learn how to tolerate, how
to resolve conflicts through counselling and reprimands.
2. Survival And Security
Several skills are provided by positive groups for the survival of their members and others. They
encourage their members and others to acquire quality skills that can fetch them better incomes.
They provide first-hand information for further training through part-time studies, evening
programmes, sandwich and seminars/workshops.
Organized groups like NUT, NUJ, NBA, NLC, etc, etc., intervene anytime their members are
attacked by individuals, groups or government. There is security in the employment offered to
their members. They make them to know the rules and regulations, rights, and privileges that
could engage them to secure their jobs. Job security promotes positive behaviour in human
relationship.
3. Affiliation And Status
Positive behaviours from groups and organizations develop dignified connections. Attachment to
civil society, religious organizations, political parties give organizational connections that are
rewarding to the individual with them. Important status or positions also come from positive
groups. This is because social groups recruit members based on well-defined criteria. People who
qualify to become members enjoy social status which has obligations and rewards. Organized
groups help to secure good positions for their members in politics, church at national and
international levels.
4. There Are Power And Control From Positive Group Behaviour
Positive group behaviours have the ability of enforcing decisions and compelling obedience from
other people.
Basically, the exercise of power is always seen in the hands of those endowed with the ability of
handling the human and material resources to reward and punish the people as they deem fit.
5. Positive Group Behaviours Develop Achievable Goals In Their Members
As members struggle to attain these goals, they acquire strengths that spur them into more action
and achievement. Successful completion of tasks or projects, is a plus in the individual and his
society.