Group dynamics is the scientific study of groups and the processes within them. It is an interdisciplinary field that draws from psychology, sociology, political science, and other areas. Some key topics studied include group formation, structure, influence, performance, conflict, and leadership. Researchers make assumptions such as groups being more than the sum of their parts, and groups shaping society. Groups have common characteristics like interaction, interdependence, goals, cohesion, and structure. The level of analysis can be individual, group, or multilevel.