Analyzing Kanter's Four Types Of Groups

4A Kanter discusses four different types of groups, these groups include Uniform groups, skewed groups, tilted groups, and balanced groups. In a uniform group, there is only one type of person, even though people may be slightly different individuals, they are typically the same. In skewed groups, there are large numbers of one group and smaller numbers of another group. The larger numbered group is called the dominants, the smaller numbered group are called tokens. Tokens can often be treated as if they represent their entire group, if the token were to be black, then one would assume that all black people behaved in that way, while dominants control the group as a whole. Tilted groups have more equal numbers but still more dominants than tokens. In this type of group, the tokens are more likely to have people they can confide in which often gives them more power to advance with in the dominant group. Balanced groups have almost the same amount of all types. In this type of group, structure and personal influences play more of a factor in advancement.

4B
The first is that the token gets attention. Because they are different than the dominants, they are more visible in the group as a whole. This would be like looking at them with a magnifying glass and seeing all of their personal traits as larger than they are. The second perceptual tendency is contrast or exaggerating the differences. By exaggerating the differences, it makes it easier for dominants to keep tokens separate in their mind, likely causing them to have less control over what happens in the group. Assimilation is the third perceptual tendency. This perception often brings about generalizations or stereotypes concerning the token group. It is then easier to distort the perception or thinking of the token