Small Group Communication Chapter 4 Flashcards

Functions of Group Norms (Feldman, 1984)

1. Norms facilitate group survival
2. Norms simplify expected behaviors
3. Norms help avoid embarrassing situations
4. Norms help identify the group & express its central values to others

Characteristics of Group Norms (Hackman, 1996)

1. Norms summarize & simplify group influence processes
2. Norms apply only to behavior, not to private thoughts and feelings
3. Norms are generally developed only for behaviors that are viewed as important by most group members
4. Norms usually develop gradually, but the process can be quickened if members wish
5. All norms do not apply to all members

Group Norms

Expectations of the group members, established by the group, and can be conscious & formal or unconscious & informal.

General Norms

Direct behavior of the group as a whole.

Role-specific Norms

Concern individual members with particular roles, such as the designated leader.

Group Socialization

The social influence and change process during which both newcomers and established members adjust to one another

Technical Knowledge

- Skills and information needed to complete a task
- Passed along through orientation, training, manuals, and documents
- Content is straightforward
- Relates to group rules

Social Knowledge

- Focuses on behavioral norms that guide interaction
- Conveyed through informal means or passively learned by new members through observation
- Relates to group norms

Relationship between group stability and need for socialization

Stable membership is achieved when group members feel stable and safe. This is achieved through socialization and bonding time

Conformity Pressure

Pressure on group members to go along with everyone else

External Conformity Pressures

Forces outside the individual group members
- Group policies
- Rewards or punishments

Internal Conformity Pressures

Forces/behaviors from within an individual
- Reaction to disagreements
- Aggressive personality

Role of personality in conformity pressures

A group member's personality will make their willingness to conform vary
- Stubborn personality = less likely to conform
- Easygoing personality = more likely to conform

Role of emotion in conformity pressures

A group member's desire to fit in can drive them to conform easier. People who do not care need more pressure

Role of communication in conformity pressures

Influences a member's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors with other group members

Norm Violations

A member going against pre-established norms that cause the group to communicate to correct the problem and get back on task

Gilbert was assigned to do his part of the project by the group leader. He failed to do his part when the group had already established how people would complete tasks designated to them. What quality about group norms is Gilbert showing?

Norm Violations

Sammy is feeing like an outsider in her group. She feels as if people do not appreciate her for who she is and is wanting to better fit her group's norms to try and change this. What role of conformity pressures is seen here?

Role of emotion in conformity pressure

Quandarious is undergoing orientation at his new job. The orientation tells him that everyone is always welcoming and that the work environment is free and open. He is later told by a coworker to not walk into his boss's office without informing his secretary first, otherwise he will get mad. Is this an example of technical knowledge or social knowledge?

Social Knowledge

Balinda Is being told by her college advisor that she will need to go to her student portal to access her classes that she is registering for. She is then told the steps on how to do that. Is this an example of technical or social knowledge?

Technical Knowledge

Dylan is a group leader and is trying to establish norms for the group that will effect every member. Is this an example of role- specific norms, general norms, or norm violations?

General norms

Pablo believes that different roles should have different expectations in order to keep the group stable. He thinks that by giving the leader and the recorder the same values, that the leader will become controlling as his power is unchecked. What quality of group norms is Pablo trying to implement?

Role-specific norms