Small Group Communication Chapters 1-6, 11

group

three or more members who identify themselves as a group and who can identify the interdependent activity or goal of the group

group size

the number of members in the group; the minimum numbers of members is three; the maximum number depends primarily on the complexity of the task or activity

dyadic interaction

interaction between two people (a dyad); interpersonal interaction

coalition formation

phenomenon that occurs when one member takes sides with another against another member of the group; creates an imbalance of power; can only occur with at least three group members

social loafing

the idea that individual efforts decrease as the size of the group increases; a detachment from the group that occurs when group members feel as if they are not needed to produce the group's outcome or as if their individual efforts are not recognized by other members

social loafers

group members who don't perform to their maximum level of potential distribution; the group context allows them to contribute minimally but still reap the same benefits as other group members

interdependence

phenomenon whereby both group and individual outcomes are influenced by what other individuals in the group do; group members must rely upon and cooperate with one another to complete the group activity

superordinate

a task or goal so difficult, time-consuming, and burdensome that is beyond the capacity of one person

group identity

the result when members identify themselves with other group members and the group goal

grouping

people identified as a group when they have little or no expectation that interaction will occur with one another

group goal

an agreed-upon task or activity that the group is to complete or accomplish

group structure

the patterns of behavior that group members come to rely on; develops with or emerges from group rules and norms

norm

an expectation about behavior; an informal rule adopted by a group to regulate group members' behavior

group roles

interactive positions within a group; the micro components of a group's structure

bona fide group perspective

a theoretical frame that illuminates the relationship of the group to its context or environment by recognizing a group's permeable and fluid boundaries and the time and space characteristics of its interactions

connectivity

the degree to which several groups share overlapping tasks or goals

embeddedness

the degree to which the group is central to its larger organizational structure

task dimensoin

a group''s interaction that focuses on its task, activity, or goal

relational dimension

group interaction that provides social and emotional support, as well as a mechanism for developing and maintaining role identities within a group

concrete

a word that is specific and clear

abstract

a type of word that paints a broad generalization

nonverbal communication

meaning derived from the way words are said or the use of behaviors to complement or substitute for verbal messages; occurs in many forms--vocalics, kinesics, proxemics, haptics, chronemics, and haptics

vocalics

a form of nonverbal communication; meaning is derived from how the voice is used; includes inflection, tone, accent, rate, pitch, volume, number of vocal interrupters, and quality of voice

kinesis

the use of facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures, or body posture

proxemics

the use of space

haptics

the use of touch

chronemics

the use of time

artifacts

objects

selective listening

a frame for listening to others based on a unique perspective or specialized knowledge, which can make it difficult to understand other group members who have different perspectives or set of knowledge

active listening

a style of listening and feedback in which a receiver paraphrases what the speaker has said and asks questions to confirm what was said

task communication

verbal and nonverbal messages instrumental to accomplishing group task and activities or perform group objectives; a message with the purpose of directing activities of the group

relational communication

affective and expressive verbal and nonverbal messages that create the social reality of a group; a message with the purpose of creating connections and social influence

synergy

the result when the performance of a group goes beyond the capabilities of group members as individuals; communication among group members allows synergy to occur

collective efficacy

a group member's belief that his or her group can be effective; developed by sharing ideas about group task and activities with other group members

group potency

group members' collective belief that their group can be effective; based on beliefs about task capabilities of the group and group member relationship

agenda

a list of activities or topics to be considered at a group meeting; should also include starting and stopping times, the location of the meeting, the attendees, and the overall goal of the meeting, as well as the specific goal of each agenda item and any preparations that group members should make

minutes

a record of what the group did or accomplished at a meeting; should reflect who attended the meeting, what content was discussed, what was decided, who agreed to take on what responsibilities, and what the group plans to do next; usually taken by the group's secretary

group charter

a group document that describes the goals or mission of the group

code of conduct

a group document that describes the behaviors appropriate for the group

communication network

the interaction pattern or flow of messages between and among group members; creates structure for the group based on patterns of who talks to whom

decentralized network

communication network that allows each group member to talk to every other group member

communication overload

communication that is too extensive or complex and that comes from too many sources; causes stress and confusion among group members

centralized network

communication network that imposes restrictions on who can talk to whom and for which one or two group members control these restrictions

communication underload

communication that is infrequent and simple; causes group members to feel disconnected from the group

faultlines

demographic characteristics or other attributes salient for a particular group and its task; members are likely to communicate with similar others, which can divide a group into subgroups

coherence

attribute of group interaction when members' utterances are connected in an orderly and meaningful way

functional coherence

attribute of group interaction when members' interactions help them accomplish its purpose or task in an orderly and meaningful way

topical coherence

attribute of interaction when members' interactions are focused on one topic

formal roles

roles expected in most groups; easily labeled (leader or chair, vice-chair, secretary or recorder, program planner)

leader

a formal role; a group member who plans for and facilitates meetings, encourages and motivates group members, and acts as a group's link to its external environmental

secretary/recorder

a formal role; a group member who takes notes to capture what happened in the group's interactions

critical advisor

a role in a group exemplified by suggested disadvantages to alternatives posed, revealing hidden assumptions, and questioning the validity or reliability of information used as evidence; helps the group see errors in its logic and thinking; devil's advocate; constructively criticizes ideas brought before the group

informal roles

roles that emerge naturally through group member interactions

task roles

informal roles that help the group more forward with its task or goal

group maintenance roles

informal group roles that help define a group's relationships and develop a group's climate

individual roles

informal roles that are typically counterproductive for the group by focusing attention away from the group and its goal

norm

an expectation about behavior; an informal rule adopted by a group to regulate group members' behaviors

planning taks

the procedural skill of helping group members identify what needs to be done in what sequence to move from discussion to decision making

decision-making tasks

the most common of group activities; the objective of the group's interaction is to reach conclusions through the sharing of information and the use of group members' collective reasoning

task difficulty

a task characteristic; the degree to which a task requires significant effort, knowledge, or skill

solution multiplicity

a task characteristic; the number of alternatives available for solving the problem

intrinsic interest

a task characteristic; the motivating potential of the task; based on group members' motivation to perform well and their attraction to the group, task, and other members

population famillarity

a task characteristic; the degree of member familiarity with the task and other group members

acceptance level

criterion for evaluating a decision; the decision must be not only technically correct but usable by others

area of freedom

the degree of authority or responsibility a group has in completing its task or activities

social complexity

a task characteristic; the degree to which group members are ego-involved; group members agree on how to proceed and on what should be accomplished

pace

the tempo or rate activity of group interaction

false consensus

a belief among group members that they all agree when they do not; agreeing to a decision only in order to be done with the task

cultural distance

the degree to which group members differ on dimensions of language, social status, religion, politics, economic conditions, and basic assumptions about reality

inclusion

the need to establish and maintain satisfactory relations with others

affection

the need to establish psychologically close relationships with others

communication competence

the ability and willingness to participate responsibly in a communication transaction exemplified by maximizing shared meaning with other group members and communicating with both appropriateness and effectiveness

effectiveness

a criterion of communication competence that is achieved when the goal of the interaction is satisfied

appropriateness

a criterion of communication competence that is achieved when communication does not violate behavioral expectations, weaken relationships among communicators, or threaten any members' self-esteem

communication apprehension

the fear or anxiety associated with either actual or anticipated communication with othe rpeople

grouphate

negative feelings that cause people to dislike working with others in group settings

communicator style

the impression one leaves with others after communicating; includes the following dimensions: dominant, dramatic, animated, relax, attentive, open, friendly, contentious, and precise

dominant

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by taking charge and controlling interaction; confident, forceful, active, and self-assured

dramatic

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by some individuals talking more often and more loudly than other group members; uses exaggeration, emphasis, joking, story telling

animated

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by expressive nonverbal behaviors and easy-to-read emotional states

relaxed

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by little anxiety; calm, collected, and confident

attentive

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by letting others know they are being listened to; empathetic

open

a dimension of communicator style; frank, approachable, and willing to disclose information about oneself

friendly

a dimension of communicator style; positive recognition of others through behaviors that encourages and validates; effective, sociable, and tactful

contentious

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by argumentativeness and the desire to be debate points

precise

a dimension of communicator style exemplified by a concern for accurate and clear communication of ideas

heterogenous group

a group whose members present distinct and different demographic characteristics

homogenous group

a group whose members are similar with regard to their demographic characteristics

individualistic

a type of culture that values individual recognition more than group or team recognition

collectivistic

a type of culture in which group work or teamwork is valued over individual accomplishment

dependence

a relationship created with or accepted from other group members that puts the individual in a subordinate position

communication climate

the atmosphere that results from group members' use of verbal and nonverbal communication and listening skills; can be defensive or supportive

defensive climate

a communication climate based on negative or threatening group interaction

supportive climate

a communication climate based on positive group interaction

evaluation

a dimension of a defensive communication climate in which a group member uses language to criticize other group members

description

a dimension of a supportive communication climate that occurs when a group member responds to the idea instead of evaluating the group member who offered the idea

controlling behavior

a dimension of defensive communication climate in which the sender assumes to know what is best for others

problem orientation

a dimension of a supportive communication climate that strives for answers and solutions to benefit all group members and satisfy the group's objective

strategy

a dimension of a defensive communication climate in which the sender manipulates others by placing him- or herself about the group or its task

spontaneity

a dimension of a supportive communication climate exemplified by a group member who is open and honest with other group members