Download 1 Power Point Group Comm Intro

Communicating in
Small Groups
What is a Group?
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A small group is:
At least 3, but not more than 15 people,
 Who interact and communicate with one
another;
 Who share a common purpose or goal;
 Who have group norms and values;
 Who feel a sense of belonging; and
 Who exert influence on each other.
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Why do people join groups?
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Synergy
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Support and Commitment
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The idea that two heads are better than one
People are more willing to take on larger
commitments with a group
Interpersonal Needs
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Affection – relationships
Inclusion – establish identity with others
Control – exercise leadership and prove abilities
Group Dynamics
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Rules
Specific guidelines related to specific
issues; often written down formally
 Example – HHS dress code states that
pants should not sag below the waist
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Norms
Standards that govern behavior; rarely
written down, just understood
 Example – Most teachers at GHS allow
students to get away sagging pants
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Group Dynamics
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Roles
Consistent ways you communicate with
others in a group
 Types
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 Task
 Social
 Individual
/ Self-Centered
Role Types in Groups
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Task
A
set of behaviors that helps the group
accomplish the work, solve a problem or
address an issue

Social
A
set of behaviors that helps establish and
maintain positive, cooperative relationships
among members
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Individual / Self-Centered
A
set of behaviors that meet the needs of an
individual while harming the task or social
dimension of the group
Group Types
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Structure
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Formal (A committee at work; a jury)
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Structured
Clear rules
Official roles and duties (president, chairperson)
Official name / title
Usually designed to last a specific length of time
Informal (your group of friends)
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Flexible
Fewer formal rules and roles, but sometimes more norms
Less structured
Smaller in size
Often satisfy interpersonal needs
Group Types (cont.)

Function

Task
 Purpose

is to accomplish a specific task
Social
 Purpose
is to satisfy need for relationships and
friendships

Combination
both functions – sometimes they exist for
the relationships, but sometimes the group
needs to accomplish a task
 Serve
Balance is the Key
Structure
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Manage the task
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Is achieved through
organization,
enforcement of rules
and norms
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One person may
dominate at times
Interaction

Manage relationships
and reactions to the
task
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There is considerable
give and take
discussion

There is much talk
and participation
from group members
Group Cohesiveness
The degree of attraction that members
of a group feel toward one another and
the group.
 High group cohesiveness is essential for
group success.
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The longer the length of the group, the
more important cohesiveness is to the
survival of the group
Characteristics of Cohesive Groups
Emphasize “we” rather than “I”
 Reinforce good attendance
 Establish group traditions
 Set clear goals
 Encourage participation
 Celebrate accomplishing goals
 Stress teamwork and collaboration over
individual accomplishment
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Communicating in Groups
Communication Network – a pattern
that describes or identifies the flow of
communication within a group (who talks
to whom and how much)
 Types of Communication Networks

Chain
 Wheel
 Open
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Chain Network
A network in which members pass messages
from one person to another “up or down” the
chain, but there is no communication among
member’s except for talking to the person next
to you
Wheel Network
A network in which there is a single person
through whom all messages are sent.
Open Network
A network where everyone has an equal
opportunity to communicate with everyone
else in the group. The ideal network!
Problem Solving in Groups
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Identify and Define the Problem
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Develop Criteria for a Potential Solution
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Brainstorming
Nominal group technique
Select the Best Solution
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Identify needs
Set Limits
Generate Possible Solutions
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Set scope!
Consensus – a solution all members can be satisfied with
NO Groupthink
Implement the Solution
Groupthink
A tendency in groups to become more
focused on reaching a solution than
exploring the issues at hand
 How to avoid Groupthink

 Encourage
critical thinking
 Don’t agree with someone just because of
status
 Consider third-party evaluation
 Assign a devil’s advocate
 Consider pros and cons of solutions
Stages in Group Communication
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Forming – coming together for a purpose
Norming – establishing and discovering
group norms (happens throughout)
Storming – brainstorming about problem
Conforming – coming to consensus about
problem; also conforming to established group
norms and rules
Performing – presenting finished process