Untitled Flashcard Set
Chapter 1: Understanding Groups
Q: What are the two main types of groups?
A: Task groups and relational groups
Q: What is a task group?
A: A group formed to complete a specific goal or accomplish work.
Q: What is a relational group?
A: A group formed primarily for the purpose of social or emotional support.
Q: What is the communication perspective of understanding groups?
A: It sees communication as the core process that shapes how groups form, make decisions, and solve problems.
Q: What are individual goals in group communication?
A: Personal objectives that members want to achieve while being part of the group.
Q: What are group goals?
A: Shared objectives that the group collectively works toward.
Q: How can individual and group goals conflict?
A: When personal interests undermine group cohesion or task completion.
Chapter 2: Characteristics of Groups
Q: What are the five characteristics of groups?
A: Interdependence, interaction, shared goals, structure, and cohesiveness.
Q: How does interdependence influence group behavior?
A: Members rely on each other, which fosters collaboration but can also increase conflict if trust is low.
Q: How does interaction affect group performance?
A: Frequent, effective interaction promotes understanding and productivity.
Q: How do shared goals influence group motivation?
A: They unify the group and provide direction.
Q: What role does structure play in group dynamics?
A: It organizes roles, rules, and responsibilities for effective functioning.
Q: How does cohesiveness affect group success?
A: High cohesiveness often improves satisfaction and commitment, but too much can lead to groupthink.
Chapter 3: Group Context & Culture
Q: What is the Bona Fide Group Perspective?
A: A view that emphasizes the real-world context in which groups operate, including boundaries and interdependence with the environment.
Q: What is a heterogeneous group?
A: A group with members who differ in culture, experience, values, etc.
Q: What is a homogeneous group?
A: A group with members who are similar in background, beliefs, or demographics.
Q: What is embeddedness?
A: The degree to which a group is situated within a larger organizational or social context.
Q: What is connectivity in group communication?
A: The extent to which group members interact with people outside the group.
Q: What is concurrency in groups?
A: Multiple group processes (like planning, decision-making, and conflict resolution) happening simultaneously.
Q: What are temporal dimensions of groups?
A: The influence of time on group development, interaction, and task completion. Additionally, temporal dimensions can encompass the timing of group meetings, the duration of projects, and the pacing of individual contributions within the group's overall timeline.