The second episode of Community (“Spanish 101”) exemplifies Gerard M. Blair’s model of group development and group dynamics. It perfectly illustrates how members of a group assume certain roles, as well as how group dynamics in a large group (as seen in the beginning of the episode with the whole study group) differs from a sub-group (notably Jeff and Pierce).
As the Spanish study group was waiting for Jeff’s arrival, it was immediately evident that members of the group have already assumed roles. Britta acted as the “Standard Setter”— by suggesting that the group should begin their session without Jeff (implying that tardiness is intolerable), she effectively reinforces the group’s standards. Shirley, on the other hand, expresses that the
