Introduction To Human Communication (Chapter 10)

brainstorming

-an idea-generating process in which group members offer whatever ideas they wish before any are debated.

nominal group technique (NGT)

-an idea-generating process in which group members generate their initial ideas silently and independently and then combine them and consider them as a group.

ideawriting

-an idea generating process in which members independently list their own ideas and then systematically evaluate one another's ideas before they are considered by the group

unanimous consensus

-uncontested support for a decision -- sometimes the only option in a group's decision-making process

stalemate

-an outcome where members opinions are so sharply divided that consensus is impossible to achieve.

false consensus

-an outcome where some members of a group say they support the unanimous decision even though they do not.

majority rule

-a decision-making process that follows the will of the majority.

minority rule

-a decision-making process in which a small number of members makes a decision on behalf of the group.

expert opinion

-recommendations of individuals who have expertise in a particular area that are sometimes the basis of a group's decision-making process.

authority rule

-a decision-making process in which the leader of the group makes the decisions.

traits

-defining characteristics of a person that are often relatively enduring and not easily changeable.

physical traits

-the body's physical attributes

psychosocial traits

-characteristics of one's personality and ways of relating to others.

extroversion

-a personality trait shared by people who are friendly, assertive, and outgoing with others.

introversion

-a personality trait shared by people who are shy, reserved and aloof.

communication apprehension

-anxiety or dear about communicating with others.

democratic style

-a leadership style in which every member of a group has the right to participate in decision making.

autocratic style

-a leadership style in which leaders see themselves as having both the authority and the responsibility to take action on a group's behalf.

laissez-faire style

-a leadership style in which leaders offer minimal supervision.

power

-a ability to influence or control people or events.

reward power

-a form of power based on the leader's ability to reward another for doing what the leader says.

coercive power

-a form of power that comes from the ability to punish.

referent power

-a form of power that derives from attraction to the leader.

legitimate power

-a form of power in which leaders status or position gives them the right to make requests with which others must comply.

expert power

-a form of power that stems from having expertise in a particular area.

informational power

-a form of power that stems from the ability to control access to information.

competing style

-a style for managing conflict that represents a high concern for the self but a low concern for the other party.

avoiding style

-a style for managing conflict that represents a low concern for both the self and the other party.

accommodating style

-a style for managing conflict that represents a high concern for the other party but a low concern for the self.

compromising style

-a style for managing conflict that represents a moderate concern for everyone's needs and desires.

collaborating style

-a style for managing conflict that represents a high concern for the self and for the other.

groupthink

-a situation in which group members seek unanimous agreement despite their individual doubts.