Small Group Communication

1. Small Group Communication

2. Why Should You Learn About Small Groups? • To meet needs • Groups are everywhere • To learn a highly valued skill • To become an effective group member • To participate in the democratic process

3. What is Small-Group Communication? The interaction between three to nine people who are working together to achieve an interdependent goal

4. The Types and Functions of Small Groups • Task-oriented groups – completing tasks • Secondary groups • Relationship-oriented groups – inclusion/affection • Primary groups • Assigned groups – appointed hierarchy • Emergent groups – environmental conditions

5. What is Leadership? A process of using communication to influence the behaviors and attitudes of others to meet group goals

6. The Role of Leadership in Small Groups • Types of Small Group Leaders • Designated leaders - appointed • Emergent leaders - environmental

7. The Role of Leadership in Small Groups • Power and Group Leadership • Distributive power - leader • Integrative power - interdependence • Designated power - relational • Sources of Power • Reward • Punishment – withhold needs • Coercion – hostile tactics • Referent - loyalty • Expert power - knowledge

8. Theoretical Approaches to Group Leadership • Style Approaches • Democratic leaders • Laissez-faire leaders • Autocratic leaders • Contingency Approaches • Different contingencies (situations) require different leadership styles

9. Theoretical Approaches to Group Leadership • Communication Competencies Approach • What do effective leaders do? • The Distributed Leadership Approach • Each member is expected to help the group move forward

10. Establishing Culture in Small Groups • Group Norms • Informal rules for interaction • Role Structure • Formal (positional) and informal (behavioral) roles • Behavioral functions • Task functions • Maintenance functions • Self-centered functions

11. Establishing Culture in Small Groups • Group Cohesiveness • Trust, supportiveness, cohesiveness • Groupthink • Diversity and Cognitive Paradigms • Observable diversity (physical characteristics) • Implicit diversity (worldview)

12. Problem Solving and Decision Making • Characteristics of Group Problem Solving • Multiple perspectives • Takes longer • Well suited for conjunctive tasks (all members have some info, no one has all) • More effective when the process is systematic and organized

13. Problem Solving and Decision Making • Effective Group Problem Solving • Wording the discussion question • Is it a question of fact, value, or policy? • Is it stated clearly? • Is it measurable? • Does it focus on the problem? • Discussing criteria for judging solutions • Absolute criteria (must be met) • Important criteria (should be met)

14. Problem Solving and Decision Making • Identifying alternatives • Brainstorming • Evaluating alternatives

15. The Functions of Groups in a New Era • Making decisions • Effecting change • Negotiating conflict • Fostering creativity • Maintaining ties to stakeholders

16. Technology and GroupCommunication Processes • Group Decision Support System (GDSS) • Brainstorming • Evaluation of alternatives • Anonymous • Efficient

17. How Should You Communicate in Small Groups? • Relate your statements to preceding remarks • Use conventional word arrangements • Speak concisely • State one point at a time

18. Being an Ethical Group Member • Be trustworthy and supportive • Be honest and truthful • Be thorough and unbiased when evaluating information • Behave with integrity • Manage group conflict ethically

19. Questions? • Comments from TAs • Head to recitation.