Chp 18: Small Group Communication
Chp 18: Small Group Communication
BOOK: pgs. 271-287
PDF: pgs. 281-297
A small group consists of how many people? 3 or more people
What is the magic number of people to work well together in a small group?
5 stages of group development (which stage is where most of the work is done?); Challenges of working groups: group think, group hate, social loafing, domination, irresponsibility)
Benefits of working in groups
Positive traits for working in groups (dialogue in groups at end of chapter)
Tuckman’s (1965) 5-Stage Model of Group Development: a five-stage theory of group development proposed by Bruce Tuckman consisting of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning; Tuckman suggests not all groups will move through each stage depending on their tasks or goals
Forming
Team acquaints and establishes ground rules.
Formalities are preserved and members are treated as strangers.
Storming
Members start to communicate their feelings but still view themselves as individuals rather than part of the team.
They resist control by group leaders and show hostility.
Norming
People feel part of the team and realize that they can achieve work if they accept other viewpoints.
Performing (where most of the work is done)
The team works in an open and trusting atmosphere where flexibility is the key and hierarchy is of little importance.
Adjourning
The team conducts an assessment of the year and implements a plan for transitioning roles and recognizing members’ contributions.
Groupthink - Avoid this
Grouphate - when people have strong negative feelings about the prospect of working in a group
Social loafing and a reduction in effort
Nonparticipation
Domination
Irresponsible members
Fantasies - creative interpretations of shared events that help define a group’s identity
Symbolic convergence - occurs when groups create a unique meaning for a term, experience, or event in the group’s life that serves to further strengthen the bond between group members
Task roles - related to accomplishing work together as a group
Maintenance roles - related to the development and maintenance of the relationships within the group
Groupthink - the willful seeking of unanimity despite individuals who harbor doubts
Social loafing - “a reduction in motivation and effort when individuals work collectively compared to when they work individually”
Efficiency
Opportunity to learn from others - get ideas from one another
Pool of a variety of resources
Exposure to diverse people
Allow for non-task talk (phatic communication to get to know one another)
Paraphrase contributions to ensure understanding
Exercise in turn-taking
Take good notes
Be flexible
Engage in constructive conflict
Focus on the goal (not what others are or are not doing)
Chp 18: Small Group Communication
BOOK: pgs. 271-287
PDF: pgs. 281-297
A small group consists of how many people? 3 or more people
What is the magic number of people to work well together in a small group?
5 stages of group development (which stage is where most of the work is done?); Challenges of working groups: group think, group hate, social loafing, domination, irresponsibility)
Benefits of working in groups
Positive traits for working in groups (dialogue in groups at end of chapter)
Tuckman’s (1965) 5-Stage Model of Group Development: a five-stage theory of group development proposed by Bruce Tuckman consisting of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning; Tuckman suggests not all groups will move through each stage depending on their tasks or goals
Forming
Team acquaints and establishes ground rules.
Formalities are preserved and members are treated as strangers.
Storming
Members start to communicate their feelings but still view themselves as individuals rather than part of the team.
They resist control by group leaders and show hostility.
Norming
People feel part of the team and realize that they can achieve work if they accept other viewpoints.
Performing (where most of the work is done)
The team works in an open and trusting atmosphere where flexibility is the key and hierarchy is of little importance.
Adjourning
The team conducts an assessment of the year and implements a plan for transitioning roles and recognizing members’ contributions.
Groupthink - Avoid this
Grouphate - when people have strong negative feelings about the prospect of working in a group
Social loafing and a reduction in effort
Nonparticipation
Domination
Irresponsible members
Fantasies - creative interpretations of shared events that help define a group’s identity
Symbolic convergence - occurs when groups create a unique meaning for a term, experience, or event in the group’s life that serves to further strengthen the bond between group members
Task roles - related to accomplishing work together as a group
Maintenance roles - related to the development and maintenance of the relationships within the group
Groupthink - the willful seeking of unanimity despite individuals who harbor doubts
Social loafing - “a reduction in motivation and effort when individuals work collectively compared to when they work individually”
Efficiency
Opportunity to learn from others - get ideas from one another
Pool of a variety of resources
Exposure to diverse people
Allow for non-task talk (phatic communication to get to know one another)
Paraphrase contributions to ensure understanding
Exercise in turn-taking
Take good notes
Be flexible
Engage in constructive conflict
Focus on the goal (not what others are or are not doing)
