The developmental process of minor group activities that lead the community changes : A research review

The present article reviewed and integrated basic concepts and viewpoints to comprehend the developmental process of minor group activities. The minor group activities are considered as a key element in current literature on resident movements and community redevelopment projects with residents' participation. They energize and facilitate changes in the local society in a long time span. The integrative viewpoint was constructed by the following two lines of arguments of theoretical premises: 1) What is the condition to achieve the minor group activity and to develop it; 2) What is the concept of collectivity for local society in which the minor group takes actions. The four social psychological theories were reviewed to understand the nature of the targeted changes and contents of minor group activities. The new integrative concept of the community was proposed to explain the collectivity for local society in which the minor group activities participate and function as the field of changes.