Chapter 9: Group Communication

1. Chapter 9: Group Communication COM 4480: Communication Theory April 2, 2007

2. Small Group Communication • Groupthink

3. Small Group Communication • Groupthink • “A mode of thinking that people engage in… • …when they are ________________________ • ___________________ • …and when the members’ _________________ override their motivation to _________________ ______________________________________”

4. Small Group Communication • Groupthink • What causes groupthink? • Structural Factors • Situational Factors

5. Small Group Communication • Groupthink • Symptoms of Groupthink • Sense of ________________________ • Sense of ________________________ • Collective _______________________ • ______________________ • ______________________ • Illusion of ______________ • Pressure to _____________ • _______________________

6. Small Group Communication • Groupthink • How to avoid Groupthink • Leadership • Group Structure • Outside Input

7. Small Group Communication • Groupthink • Strengths • High _____________________ • Limitations

9. Small Group Communication • Symbolic Convergence Theory • Ernest Bormann • Fantasy • “The creative and imaginativeinterpretation of events that fulfills a psychological or rhetorical need.” • Fantasies “Chain Out” • Marked by… • Fantasy Theme

10. Small Group Communication • Symbolic Convergence Theory • What do these fantasy themes do? • By sharing common fantasies, a collection of individuals is transformed into ____________________. • Through this _____________________, we build a sense of __________________________________________. • When many groups share these fantasy themes, they have a rhetorical vision.

11. Small Group Communication • Symbolic Convergence Theory • Strengths • Moves communication beyond information transmission. Communication is the vehicle through which people turn into groups. • Weaknesses