Group Communication
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Transcript Group Communication
Group Communication
Small Group Communication
What Is A Group?
A collection of people
with a common goal,
or, a common thread
of interest
Can also be referred
to as “teams”
Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An Effective Group
Clear Purpose
The vision, mission, goal, or task of the group are defined
by the group.
Climate
The group climate is informal, comfortable, and relaxed
There are no obvious tensions or signs of boredom
Participation
There is much discussion, and everyone is encouraged to
participate.
Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An Effective Group
Listening
Members use effective listening techniques such as
questioning, paraphrasing, and summarizing so that
everyone’s point of view is considered.
Healthy Conflict
Conflict between group members is a normal and sometimes
necessary component of group work.
Group members should not try to avoid, smooth over, or
suppress conflict.
Rather opposing views should be analyzed and considered
when coming to a group decision.
Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An Effective Group
Open Communication
Members are free to express their views and ideas about the
group’s tasks and processes
Members have few hidden agendas
Clear Roles and Assignments
There are clear expectations about group member’s roles
Clear assignments are made, accepted, and carried out.
Work is fairly distributed among team members.
External Resources
The team utilizes key outside relationships with important
individuals and groups within their larger organization
Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An
Effective Group
Functional Diversity
The group is composed of
members who vary in their
related knowledge, skills, and
abilities.
Self Assessment
The group takes time to examine
how well it is functioning and
ways to improve its
effectiveness.
Small Group Communication
ADVANTAGESOF
OFSMALL-GROUP
SMALL-GROUPDECISION-MAKING
DECISION-MAKING
ADVANTAGES
Different views from
different people
Increases individual
motivation
It’s easier to identify
mistakes
Team Decisions are
better received by
others
Group Work is more
pleasant and fulfilling
for most members
Small Group Communication
DISADVANTAGES OF SMALL-GROUP DECISION-MAKING
Members can get slack
Personal agendas may
conflict with group
goals
Aggressive members
can dominate
Members could be
uncompromising
GroupThink can
override common
sense
Takes longer to
reach a decision
Small Group Communication
Member “roles”
task-oriented
maintenance
self-serving
Small Group Communication
Task roles
Initiator/Expeditor
“Contributor”
This person often suggests new
ideas, goals, solutions, or
approaches.
Often times these individuals are the
most creative or energetic.
Information Giving/Seeking “Collaborator”
These people provide a foundation for discussion
by the information they both provide and seek
throughout the process of a group discussion.
Small Group Communication
Task roles
Critic/Analyzer “Challenger”
These individuals look at the good
and bad points that are brought
up and often look at how the whole
picture fits together.
Can be seen by others as Debbie Downers
or the Devil’s Advocate of the group, but their
roles are still very vital to arriving at a final
solution as long as the groups success is
ultimately the critics goal.
Small Group Communication
Maintenance roles
The Encourager
“Communicator”
Praises and/or comments
on contributions to and
achievements of the group. The
encourager finds it very important to maintain
a positive environment in a group
communication setting.
Small Group Communication
Maintenance roles
The Harmonizer/Compromiser
This person helps resolve
or settle arguments or arrive
at compromises that
get the group closer to their
goal.
The Regulator
This individual reminds the participants of
the agenda or the topic at hand and gives
others in the group a chance to speak.
Note: Not every group communication setting has all of these roles.
Small Group Communication
Self-Serving Roles
Blocking
Aggression
Recognition seeking
Withdrawing
Dominating
Joking
Self-confessing
Help seeking
Small Group Communication
Leadership Styles
Autocratic
“My way or the highway”
Laissez-Faire
“You’re on your own”
Democratic
“What Does Everyone
Think?”
Human Knot