Final Paper
Small Groups at the Heart of Society
Chapter 1
Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Preview
Groups in Your Life
Groups Versus Individuals in Problem Solving
Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
Being an Ethical Group Member
The Participant Observer Perspective
Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Groups in Your Life
“From birth to death, small groups are interwoven into the fabric of our lives.” Lawrence Frey
Groups develop identity
Much of work-time is spent in groups
School is another outlet for group work
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Groups in Your Life
Groups as problem solvers
We encounter many problems and knowing the necessary steps to effective solutions is helpful
No longer do we rely on people to make decisions for us – as has been the case in the past
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Participating in Groups
Participating in groups
Group members must understand and know how to work toward the goal (Task)
Group members must manage interpersonal relationships (Relational)
Communication is the means by which groups members accomplish task and relational goals
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Groups versus Individuals as Problem Solvers
Group solutions can be more effective for certain problems
Groups force students to become active learners
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Groups versus Individuals as Problem Solvers
| When a group is a good choice | Problems suitable for an Individual |
| Complex Problems | Best Solution |
| Several acceptable solutions | Conditions changing rapidly |
| Acceptance of the solution is critical | Time is short |
| Sufficient time exists to discuss | Group members cannot work as a team |
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Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
A group is three or more individuals who have a common purpose, interact with each other, influence each other, and are interdependent
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Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
A small group consists of at least three people that is small enough for individual members to perceive one another as individuals during interaction
Typically small group is 3-7 members
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Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
Some people argue there is a difference between a small group and a team
In spite of this the terms are used interchangeably
Regardless of title we should recognize effective groups/teams from ineffective groups/teams
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Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
Communication is the transactional process in which people simultaneously create, interpret, and negotiate shared meaning through their interaction
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Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
Small group communication is the verbal and nonverbal interaction among members of a small group
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Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
Most groups make use of technology to facilitate communication
Teleconferencing and Skype allow same time meetings
Internet discussion and e-mail allow for interaction at different times
These mediated forms of communication lack social presence
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Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
Why People Join Groups
Love and affection
Personal growth and self-awareness
Similar interests
Complete tasks
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Most of us learn about ourselves and appreciate the support of other people as we do so.
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Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
Psychologist Wil Schutz
Inclusion
Openness
Control
These three needs underlie personal motivations – groups are categorized according to the main need they fulfill
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Inclusion: Need to belong to
Openness: Willing you are to be open to other people
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Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
Groups are classified by the reasons they exist
Primary groups form to meet inclusion and openness
Secondary groups form to meet control and problem solving needs
No group is purely primary or secondary
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Continuum of Groups
Purely Primary
Purely Secondary
Family
AA support
Class
Project
Task Force
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Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
There are many types of secondary groups
Support groups help understand/address personal issues
Learning groups help understand topics
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Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
There are many types of secondary groups
Organizational groups solve organizational problems
Committees perform a specific service
Quality control circles address issues of job performance and work improvement
Self-managed work teams manage their own work schedules and procedures
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Being an Ethical Group Member
Ethics are the standards and rules for appropriate group member and leader behavior
Willingness to communicate
Treat each other with respect
Use critical thinking skills
Demonstrate commitment to the group
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The Participant-Observer Perspective
A group member who participates but also observes the group and adapts as necessary
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Summary
Groups in Your Life
Groups Versus Individuals in Problem Solving
Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Group Communication
Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose
Being an Ethical Group Member
The Participant Observer Perspective
Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.