Transcript Chapter 1: The Small Groups in Everyone’s

CHAPTER TWO:
Group Systems
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
© 2013 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.
WHAT’S A “SYSTEM”?
2-2
A set of elements that
function as a whole
because of
interdependent
relationships
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
2
GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY
2-3
Living organisms
Systems of body work together
Groups: individuals interact
to become a social system
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
3
ELEMENTS OF SYSTEMS
2-4
INPUTS
All the elements of a system that
are present at the outset (or, the
initial raw materials of the system)
 Attitudes
 Abilities/experiences
 Outside information/items
 Purpose
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
4
ELEMENTS OF SYSTEMS
2-5
THROUGHPUTS
Influences on the system that result
from actual activities within the group
as it functions
Activities
 Roles, rules, leadership
 Conflict
 Evaluating
 Verbal and nonverbal behaviors
*ALL OUR THROUGHOUTS ARE AFFECTED
BY ONE ANOTHER!

Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
5
ELEMENTS OF SYSTEMS
2-6
OUTPUTS
The tangible and intangible
products or achievements of the
group that emerge from the
throughput process
 Results
 Final paper/presentation
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
6
ELEMENTS OF SYSTEMS
2-7
ENVIRONMENT
Systems are embedded in multiple
surroundings or contexts
 Example: room characteristics
 The environment affects communication
within the group
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
7
ELEMENTS OF SYSTEMS
2-8
VIRTUAL GROUPS
Members do not communicate in
the same place and time
 Tasks more multi-dimensional
 Who to contact for more information?
 Few formal power positions
 Decision-making usually guided by “parent”
organizations
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
8
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS
2-9
OPEN SYSTEM
Free exchange of information;
inputs and outputs flow back &
forth between the system and its
environment
 Much Interaction with environment
 Example: Companies use inputs such as
labor, funds, equipment, and materials to
produce goods or to provide services
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
9
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS
2-10
CLOSED SYSTEM
Limited flow of information
between themselves and their
environment
 Little Interaction
 Example: a clock is a relatively self-
contained, self-maintaining unit that has
little interacts or exchange with its
environment
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
10
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS
2-11
INTERDEPENDENCE
The elements of a system are
interdependent, because all elements
mutually influence one another
FEEDBACK
The return of system outputs as
system inputs, which allows the
system to change and monitor its
movements toward goals
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
11
MULTIPLE CAUSES & PATHS
2-12
 Equifinality: start different, end same
 Multifinality: start same, end different
 Multiple causes: no single system input
determined system outputs; outcomes are
the result of many factors
 Multiple paths: objectives can be
reached in a variety of ways
 Nonsummativity: A system’s ability to
take on an identity separate from its
individual elements
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice 14th Edition
Gloria J. Galanes & Katherine Adams
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