Chapter 7 - Group Projects Flashcards
Characteristics of competent communicators
Structure Purpose Norms Roles Subgroups
Group
Consists of people who share an interest or a common purpose, communicate regularly, participate in planning and decision making and feel connected to other members
2 basic types of structure
Formal and informal
Groups that have formal structure have set rules for communication and are
Highly organized
Groups that have informal structure are less organized and do not
Follow set rules
Group purpose
The groups reason for existing
Group purposes range from __________ to ___________
All work, all social activity
Group norms
The standards for action within the group
Groups may have norms for
Speaking, listening, general norms and communication norms
Role
A pattern of communication that characterizes ones place in a group
Roles people can take on in a group
Experts, supporters, questioners, compromisers, challengers, moderators, tension relievers, observers
Subgroup
A smaller unite within a group
Cliques
Subgroups of people who tend to associate with each other and avoid others
Group problem solving
Process that involves the group work life cycle, problem-solving steps, members’ communication responsibilities, leadership in groups and how to evaluate problem-solving groups
The 4 stages of the group life cycle
Forming, storming, norming and performing
Forming
The stage when members come together, size each other up, try to figure out where everyone fits and try to find some sense of leadership
Storming
This stage occurs after some similarities have been established have been established and members have become more comfortable in the group
Norming
At this stage members begin to function effectively together and to develop a sense of group identity (because storming stage has already been worked through)
Performing
When the task is a key point and work is accomplished without much interpersonal difficulty
5 step model of problem solving
- ) identify the problem
- ) analyze the problem
- ) set criteria for a solution
- ) develop solutions
- ) select a solution
To identify the problem there are 2 steps
Narrowing the topic, then phrasing it into a question
Criteria
Standards something had to meet
Brainstorming
A process of listing aloud as many ideas as possible
To decide which of the solutions should be used, 3 questions must be used:
Which solutions meet the criteria?
Weaknesses of each solution?
Strengths?
Effective speaking skills for group members
Be prepared Share your questions thoughtfully Speak with self-respect Ask questions Support others
Important listening skills for group members
Practice good listening Avoid barriers Use your thought speed Listen for connections Give nonverbal feedback
Leaders may be ________ or ________, or they may ________________
Appointed, elected, gradually emerge from the group
Leadership responsibilities fall into the general area of
Beginning the discussion, acting as moderator, and closing the discussion
Moderator
People who keep a discussion moving and see that everyone’s ideas are heard
Purposes of evaluation
Strengthen good points, correct weak points, and reduce mistakes
Guidelines for feedback
- Describe what you saw and heard
- Limit your comments
- Include strong & weak points, & areas for improvement
