CH.8: communication in groups and teams

Question 1

group

Answer 1

three or more people who interact over time, depend on one another, and follow some shared rules of conduct to reach a common goal

Question 2

team

Answer 2

a special kind of group characterized by different and complementary resources of members and a strong sense of collective identity. all teams are groups but not all groups are teams.

Question 3

potential limitations of groups

Answer 3

time, conformity pressures, and reduced individual responsibility (social loafing)

Question 4

social loafing

Answer 4

members of a group exert less effort than they would if they worked alone

Question 5

potential strengths for groups

Answer 5

greater resources, thoroughness, creativity, and commitment

Question 6

synergy

Answer 6

collaborative vitality that enhances the efforts, talents, and strengths of individual members

Question 7

cohesion

Answer 7

the degree of closeness, esprit de corps (common spirit), and group identity

Question 8

groupthink

Answer 8

a process in which members cease to think critically and independently about ideas generated by the group

Question 9

power

Answer 9

the ability to influence others

Question 10

power over

Answer 10

the ability to help or harm others, usually expressed in ways that highlight the status and visibility of the person wielding influence

Question 11

power to

Answer 11

the ability to empower others to reach their goals

Question 12

social climbing

Answer 12

the attempt to increase personal status in a group by winning the approval of high-status members

Question 13

norms

Answer 13

standardized guidelines that regulate how members act and how they interact with each other

Question 14

features of groups

Answer 14

cohesion, size, power structure, interaction patterns, and norms

Question 15

guidelines

Answer 15

participate constructively (ex. on p.162), provide leadership, manage conflict constructively

Question 16

task communication

Answer 16

focuses on the problems, issues, or information before the group - giving and analyzing information and ideas

Question 17

procedural communication

Answer 17

orders ideas and coordinates the contributions of members

Question 18

climate communication

Answer 18

focuses on creating and sustaining an open, engaged atmosphere for discussion

Question 19

egocentric/dysfunctional communication

Answer 19

used to block others or to call attention to oneself

Question 20

leadership

Answer 20

maintaining set of communication functions that establishes a good working climate, organizes group processes, and ensures that discussion is substantive

Question 21

lassez-faire leadership*

Answer 21

hands-off approach to leadership and gives others the freedom to make decisions

Question 22

authoritarian*

Answer 22

an individual possesses total decision-making power and retains as much authority as possible, restricts freedom and participation from others

Question 23

democratic*

Answer 23

members of the group participate in the decision-making process