Prepared by Darrell G. Mullins Salisbury University This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited.

HUMAN COMMUNICATION IN SOCIETY

BY JESS K. ALBERTS, THOMAS K. NAKAYAMA AND JUDITH N. MARTIN

Prepared by Darrell G. Mullins Salisbury University

This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:• Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;• Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;• Any rental, lease or lending of the program.

Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

CHAPTER 9:SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION


Overview of Themes

The Importance of Small Group Communication

What Is Small Group Communication? Small Group Communication and the

Individual Effective Small Group Communication The Individual, Small Group Communication,

and Society Ethics and Small Group Communication Improving Your Small Group Communication

SkillsCopyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Importance of Small Group Communication


“Whether you love working in groups or hate it, groups are everywhere.”

Pixland/Jupiterimages

Reasons to Study Small Group Communication

Inevitability of Groups Primary Groups Secondary Groups

Enhanced College Performance Enhanced Career Success Enhanced Personal Life


The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups

Advantages Higher Quality Decisions

Stimulates Creativity Social Facilitation

Promotes Critical Thinking Disadvantages

Takes More Time Can Facilitate Dominators Teamwork Has Its Limits


“You might think that a small group is simply a collection of individuals, but we (and most communication scholars) have a more specific definition for small groups.”


What is small group communication?© moodboard/Corbis Royalty Free

Small Group Communication Defined

Communication among a small number of people who share a common purpose who are connected to one another who have influence on one another


Small Group Communication and the Individual


“The quality of a group depends on the contributions of individual members, and one reason for ineffective groups is the poor communication skills of individual members. Lack of communication among group members can even be disastrous.”

Tom Merton/OJO Images/Getty Images Royalty Free

Small Group Communication Task Roles

Initiator-Contributor Information Seeker Information Giver Opinion Giver Elaborator Coordinator

Orienter Evaluator-Critic Energizer Procedural-

Technician Recorder


Small Group Communication Relational Roles

Encourager Harmonizer Compromiser Gatekeeper Expediter Standard Setter Group Observer Follower


Small Group Communication“Individual” Roles

Aggressor Blocker Recognition Seeker Self-Confessor Joker Dominator Help Seeker Special-Interest Pleader


Why is the word individual in quotation marks?

Theories of Leadership

Trait Theory Functional Theory Style Theory Transformational Theory Servant Leadership Theory


Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Effective Small Group Communication

Balancing Task/Relational Interaction Equal Participation Consensus Decision-Making Style Cooperative Conflict Style Respectful Communication Style

Use the Problem-Solving Agenda


Stages of the Problem-Solving Agenda

Define/Delineate the Problem Analyze the Problem Identify Alternative Solutions Evaluate Proposed Solutions Choose the Best Solution


Small Group Decision Making

Decision-Making Phases Orientation and Primary Tension Conflict and Secondary Tension Emergence Reinforcement

The Disadvantages of Extreme Group Cohesion-Groupthink


Technology and Group Communication

How Technology Enhances Positive Communication

Types of Group-Oriented Technology Virtual Meetings Group Support Software GSS Technology Combinations


“The world outside influences this form of communication in two important respects: (1) the way power is used inside and outside groups, and (2) the role cultural diversity plays.”


©Bob Daemmrich/The Image Works

The Individual, Small Group Communication, and Society

The Impact of Societal Forces on Group Communication

Power Structures Members of dominant social groups may

dominate small groups in which they function

Use of legitimate and coercive power Cultural Diversity

Innovation Performance Group Processes Group Enjoyment


Ethics and Small Group Communication


Improving Your Small Group Communication

“While you should strive for accuracy and honesty in your language, there may be times when you should not say everything you know—for example, when you should respect the confidentiality of others, including group members.”

Mandy

Is this supposed to be here? Seems out of place.

Some Guidelines

Remember that individual actions have a larger impact.

Truth and honesty are critical. Know when to hold back. Use authentic communication. Listen to the speaker. Cultivate an interdependent attitude. Strive for cohesion. Work to build trust.


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