Discuss Georg Simmel's analysis of group size.

Simmel contends that the size of a given group directly correlates to the types of interactions that take place within the same group. For example, a group of two people (a dyad), points to our most intimate and close relationships (such as marriage). In this type of group, both members are required to make things work, otherwise the group would not exist. From this perspective, we can see that the dyad is not as stable...

Simmel contends that the size of a given group directly correlates to the types of interactions that take place within the same group. For example, a group of two people (a dyad), points to our most intimate and close relationships (such as marriage). In this type of group, both members are required to make things work, otherwise the group would not exist. From this perspective, we can see that the dyad is not as stable as a triad (a group of three) because the success of the group depends on only two people. In a group of three people, each individual can carry varying degrees of responsibility. This has an upside in that the group is more well-rounded, and thus the success of the group is not contingent upon a relationship between two people, but rather all of the group members share this responsibility. However, I am not suggesting that marriage would be more successful in a triadic context, but such an example shows that as a group increases in size, its stability increases because the group does not dissolve if one person decides to leave.

Along the same lines, as a group increases, intimacy decreases, but the stability of the group is strengthened. This is evident within the context of the military, where groups can exist even if a member decides to leave. To this end, Simmel's analysis drives home the point that smaller groups tend to foster more intimacy (and possibly less stability given the fact that much is at stake), whereas in larger groups, intimacy decreases while group dynamics are (for the most part ) more stable. 

Note:  I have referenced an online version of Simmel's work where one can fully explore these ideas (the material which focuses on group analysis starts on page 124).