Chapter 1: Small Groups as the Heart of Society

Grouphate

Hating or dreading participation in groups

Group

Three or more individuals who have a common purpose, interact with each other, influence each other, and are independent

Small Group

A group of at least three people that is small enough for individual members to perceive one another as individuals during interaction

Communication

The transactional process in which people simultaneously create, interpret, and negotiate shared meaning through their interaction

Small Group Communication

The verbal and nonverbal interaction among members of a small group

Primary Groups

Groups formed to meet primary needs for inclusion and openness

Secondary Groups

Groups formed to meet secondary needs for control and problem solving

Support Groups

Groups formed for members to help each other understand, address, and cope with personal issues or problems

Learning Groups

Secondary groups whose members meet to understand and learn about a particular topic

Organizational Groups

Groups created by organizations, usually to solve organizational problems

Committee

A type of secondary group that performs a specific service for an organization

Self-Managed Work Teams

Also called autonomous work groups; groups of peers who manage their own work schedules and procedures

Lone Wolf

A member who prefers to work alone because he sees others as less capable and effective

Ethics

Standards and rules for appropriate group member and leader behavior

Paticipant-Observer (Perspective)

A group member who participates but also observes the group and adopts as necessary