Final answer:
Participants in an untreated group would normally continue with their normal activities, acting as a baseline in a control group setting. However, in a social context, they may form interest groups to demand fair treatment or engage in collective action to address perceived injustices.
Step-by-step explanation:
When participants in an untreated group find out another group is receiving special treatment, typically they would continue with their normal activities. This is what would be expected in a control group scenario, commonly used in research studies like randomized experiments. The control group receives an inactive treatment but is managed exactly as the other groups. They act as a baseline for comparison with the treated groups.
However, in a broader social context, if people sense unfairness or discrimination, it may prompt different reactions. Individuals might demand equal treatment, form their own interest groups to seek special treatment, or engage in collective action. Interest groups offer avenues for individuals to unify and draw attention to their causes, effectively voicing their concerns on matters such as minimum wage, discrimination, or government actions. Overcoming collective action problems is essential for these groups to be productive and achieve their objectives.