Bona Fide Groups are closely related to the Network perspective. Bona Fide Groups acknowledges that both the environment and the group processes are inexorably bound to one another, both are needed for a full understanding. The social network perspective encompasses theories, models and applications that are expressed in terms of relational concepts or processes defined by linkages among units. Both of these look at the group as a whole and not an individual.
             Network models look at structure (social, economic, political) as lasting patterns of relations. Also they look at the linkages of relational ties between actors to see how the transfer of resources is being accomplished. A network looks at how people influence each other and how the ideas flow. They just don't look at the elements, but how they are put together. The actors and their actions are seen as interdependent rather than independent. Networks also look at how dyads, triads and cliques work. A dyad is a link between two actors, triad, a link between three. A clique is a group within a larger group. Networks look at the strengths of the group and the varying degrees of cliques within a network. This is called measurements of centrality. There are two kinds of centrality: degree centrality and between ness centrality. The use for measuring an actor's centrality is very important. You can see if they are doing more work than someone else or doing what they should be doing. This is just a way to determine who is more valuable in the group. It is also important to know the strength of the ties between the actors. The most of our information gained is from our strong ties, members of our own clique. However our most important information is from those people outside our clique. Understanding these structures can help small groups function more efficiently.
             Bona Fide Groups is closely related to Networks in that they look at how group members make sense collecti...