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Small Group Communication Processes

Chapter

Small Group Communication

• A small group must be at least three people, with the ideal size of five to seven members.

• A Common Purpose – The goal of the group may be externally assigned, but having a clear goal is positively related to productivity & increased work performance.

• A Connection with Each Other – Important for all members to feel like they are a part of the group in order to establish a group identity.

• An Influence on Each Other – A small group member must coordinate his/her behaviors with others, in turn influencing other group members.

Types of Small Groups

• Primary groups provide individuals with a sense of affection and connection to others (e.g. family or social groups).

• Secondary groups primary form to address problems or issues, often meeting regularly over a period of time (e.g. work committees or short-term project groups).

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

• Higher quality decisions • Social facilitation • Critical thinking

Disadvantages

• Time • Member dissatisfaction

Types of Communication Roles • Task communication - members use communication skills to complete

work & coordinate problem solving .

• Relational communication - centers on maintaining relationships between group members & motivating members to work together for a common goal. Individual group members also fill various relational roles that use communication to establish relationships & maintain an interpersonal group atmosphere (see textbook table for relational role descriptions)

• Group roles - communication behaviors that group members engage in during their interactions based on group expectations.

• Task roles involve communication behavior related to accomplishing group goals or objectives (see textbook table for task role descriptions).

• Individual roles - focus on the needs of one member over the group needs and often disrupt group processes causing dysfunction

How to Improve Small Groups

• Four communication processes have been found to improve group functioning and member satisfaction:

• All group members engage in equal participation to feel like a valued part of the group & more ideas are openly discussed.

• Use a consensus decision-making style to allow all members to discuss their opinions, developing common goals & solutions for problems so that all members “buy-in” to the final outcome.

• Use a cooperative conflict style, group members discuss common interests & attempt to productively incorporate member interests into a common group goal.

• Incorporate a respectful communication style that allows all members to feel that their ideas are taken seriously & that they are valued and important to the group.

Problem Solving • Formal problem-solving agendas improve small group decision outcomes

and generally reduce conflict by providing a focused process.

• Step one – define the problem so that all members have the same understanding of the problem they are addressing.

• Step two - analyze the problem, providing a crucial step that influences the directions members take in identifying potential solutions.

• Step Three - identify alternative solutions & includes the activity of brainstorming which list all the potential solutions without providing critique to generate ideas.

• Step four - evaluate proposed solutions; it is important that members do not rush to a conclusion because often at this stage members are fatigued and might be frustrated by the amount of work they have done to this point.

• Step five - choosing the best solution & should involve all members to make sure that everyone feels comfortable with the outcome.

Decision Making • Decision-making phases consider how groups are formed

and move through group processes.

• Phase one – orientation occurs when groups first form ideas about how the members relate & the goals of the group. Members often experience primary tension which is the uncertainty members feel about how the group will function.

• Phase two – conflict occurs when members become accustomed to other members & are more likely to disagree with members and voice opinions

• Phase three - the emergence phase, begins when the group begins to function together & express a cooperative attitude.

• The final phase - reinforcement occurs when members feel a sense of accomplishment & satisfaction in reaching decisions.