Small groups can sometimes feel like large groups and vice versa.
Tiberius points out that each type of teaching situation has its own set of constraints and advantages, some of which are affected by our social and cultural expectations. For example, our behavior in a lecture is similar to our behavior at cultural events, such as the theater, where we are not expected to communicate beyond the occasional display of applause or laughter. A member of the audience is not expected to stop the show and engage the actors in a discussion, or turn around and start talking to the rest of the audience. Likewise our behavior in a small class has similarities to other small social groups in our culture. We are expected to take turns, to not interrupt, and to show the speaker that we are paying attention through our facial expressions and verbal responses.