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SubjectFree lesson

Positive group behaviour I

ClassNotes Team 3 MIN READUPDATED 18 JUL 2026

Social Studies J.S.S 3 Third Term

WEEK 1

Positive group behaviour I

Performance Objectives

Students should be able to:

     1. Identify the types of group behaviour.

     2. Distinguish between the types of group behaviour.

Content

Meaning of group behaviour

Group behaviour is a  situation where people interact in large or small groups. Group behaviour refers to when two or more persons who have similar goals come together in a group and behave the same way. It can also be referred to as collective action.

Types of group behaviour

Group behaviour can be positive (constructive) or negative (destructive) in orientation. We shall examine the basic characteristics of each type of group behaviour to understand this better.

Characteristics of types of group behaviour

1. Mass action: This refers to the action of a large number of people at a particular time. Mass action can be positive or negative. If the participants have a good motive and express their feelings in a peaceful manner, it is positive. A group of people moving in the same direction with the intention to commit a crime is called “mob”. A mob is violent in nature. Mob action is negative mass action.

2. Communal labour or service: This is a group behaviour in which members of a community come together or cooperate perform tasks that will develop their community and improve the welfare of the members. In Nigeria, it dates back to the pre-colonial era when members of a community came to assist one another and joined hands to achieve a common goal/project like provision of electricity, the building of schools, health centre, town halls, provision of pipe-borne water or bore-holes, forming a vigilante group etc. By characteristic, communal labour is positive group behaviour. A group of youths in a city cooperating in communal labour

3. Protest/March: Protest means making the public expression of disapproval of particular government policy by means of a well-planned peaceful demonstration or through violent demonstration by a group of people. The protest involves activities like mass street movement, carrying placards, banners and loudspeakers to express their opinions and displeasure towards given government policy. Labour unions usually resort to protest when they feel government policies will not favour their members or the masses.

4. Participating in a fight: This type of group behaviour is violent and downright destructive in nature. This includes youth violence, street violence or retaliatory attacks by rival youths or cult groups in a community. It may also take the form of youths coming together to fight in defence of their community or perceived individual or group right.

5. Acting patriotically: A patriotic act is an act that demonstrates strong love for one’s nation. When a group of citizens come together to pursue or promote a course that will be of immense benefit to their country without violating the law, it is called acting patriotically. Examples are a group of legal experts giving free or low-cost legal aids to poor citizens, uniting to support the government in the battle against terrorism, encouraging Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in local industries and develop Nigerian economy, giving scholarship to geniuses or poor citizens. Acting patriotically is positive group behaviour.