Group Reflection Essay
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SPCH1311RealCommunicationCH9PPGroups.pptxChapter 9
Communicating
in Groups
List the characteristics and types of groups and explain how groups develop
Understand how group size affects communication
Identify the influence of networks in groups
Chapter Objectives
Analyze aspects that determine a group’s effectiveness
Define the roles individuals play in a group
Identify other issues affecting group communication
Chapter Objectives
Understanding Groups
A collection of more than two people
Share some kind of relationship
Communicate in an interdependent fashion
Collaborate toward a shared purpose
4
Characteristics of Groups
3 or more people
Share a relationship
Are interdependent
Collaborate toward a shared purpose
5
Group Types
Primary groups
(Family and friends)
Support groups
Problem-solving groups
Study groups
Focus groups
6
Support – come together to address personal problems while benefiting from the support of others with the same problems
Problem – solving – to solve a problem
Study – prepare for exams
Focus – group of individuals asked to come together to give their opinions
Self –directed work teams – group of skilled workers who take responsibility for producing high quality work. Theory says when people have ownership they will contribute more.
AA - support group, social group, and a problem-solving group
Group Development
Forming Stage
Group’s goals
Storming Stage
What roles will members play
Conflict may occur
7
Group Development
Norming Stage
Establish agreed norms governing expectations
Norms: Recurring patterns of behavior or thinking that become the “usual” way of doing things in the group
Roles solidify
Leader emerges
8
Group Development
Performing Stage
Members work together to achieve goals and overcome hurdles
Adjourning Stage
Members reflect on accomplishments and failures
Determine next steps as a group
9
Group Size and Communication
The larger the group…
Interaction is more formal
Each member has limited opportunities to contribute
Communication is less intimate
Interactions are more time consuming
The relationships are more complex
10
Size, Cliques, and Coalitions
The larger the group…
Cliques (Coalitions) emerge
Small subgroups of individuals who have bonded together within a group
Countercoaltions can develop
Subgroups that are positioned against each other on issues
11
Group Size and Social Loafing
The larger the group…
The more likely social loafing is to occur
Failing to invest the same level of effort in the group that you would put in if working alone
Affects participation and communication in groups
The more difficult it is to assess individual contributions to the group
12
Group Networks
Patterns of interaction governing who speaks with whom in a group and about what
Two features
Centrality
Isolation
13
Centrality - The degree to which an individual send and receives messages form others in the group – most central person send and receives highest number of messages in any given time period
Isolation – other end of the spectrum, group member sends and receives the lowest number of messages
Group Networks
Types of Networks
14
Chain - info passed from one member to the next rather than shared among members
All – channel – all members are an equal distance from one another and all interact with each other
Wheel – one person acts as the touchstone for all others in the group (my relationship with my family)
Additional Factors Affecting Group Communication
Interdependence
Cohesion
The degree to which group members have bonded and consider themselves one entity
Group Climate
Group temperament
15
Additional Factors Affecting Group Communication
Norms
Roles
Task Roles
Social Roles
Antigroup Roles
Role Conflict
Clarity of Goals
16
Norms – determined by group and imposed by members, direct the behavior if the group, what is acceptable, etc
Roles –
Task – concerned with accomplishment of group goals
Social – reflect member’s personality trait, like house parent, work for group
Antigroup - work against group, indulge in individual’s priorities at expense of group
Role Conflict – expectations for a members behaviors are incompatiable , manger and friendship
Clarity of Goals
Define goals in terms of problems to be solved
Establish clear performance standards
Identify the resources you group will need to accomplish its goals
Recognize contigencies that my arise
Determine how you will monitor and report progress
Additional Factors Affecting Group Communication
Groupthink and Conflict
A situation in which group members strive to minimize conflict by demonstrating loyalty
Individual Differences
Cultural factors
Communication apprehension
17
Group think - Challenger situation
Cultural – individualistic vs collectivistic
Comm Apprehension – lack of self esteem, status differences, unbalanced participation
