Chapter 9: communcation in small groups

Question 1

small groups

Answer 1

A collection of people (3-20 people) working interdependently to accomplish a task
EX: team, bureau, region

Question 2

Synergy

Answer 2

a collaboration that produces more than the sum of its parts
- Resources are more powerful together than when they are separate

Question 3

Groups are distinguished by…

Answer 3

• Size
• Interdependence
• Identities
• Cohesion
• Roles

Question 4

Size

Answer 4

more than 3, no more than 15-20
○ Exact size depends on purpose of group

Question 5

Interdependent

Answer 5

the state in which what happens to one person affects everyone else in the relationship
○ “Affect (good)/affected by (bad)”
○ EX: if someone is being negative, they bring the whole group down

Question 6

Cohesion

Answer 6

The force by which the members of a group work together in service of a common goal

Question 7

Task cohesion

Answer 7

the extent to which everyone in the group is working together toward the same objective
□ High task cohesion = everyone is working together
□ Low task cohesion = some are working harder than others (social loafing)

Question 8

Social cohesion

Answer 8

refers to the level of positive regard group members have for each other
□ High social cohesion = positive, everyone trusts each other
□ Low social cohesion = negative, no one likes/trusts each other

Question 9

Informal roles

Answer 9

not formally assigned and anyone in the group can choose to take them on

Question 10

Formal roles

Answer 10

specifically assigned to people to help the group to fulfill its mission

Question 11

Identities

Answer 11

Colors, pins, secret handshakes
○ Anything that helps people identify your group

Question 12

Interact online

Answer 12

Some groups communicate online via computer, email, instant messaging
- Different from face to face, members of online groups feel less connected and less happy

Question 13

Process of socializing into small groups

Answer 13

• Antecedent phase
• Anticipatory phase
• Encounter phase
• Assimilation phase
• Exit phase

Question 14

Antecedent phase

Answer 14

Phase of group socialization in which people develop certain beliefs, attitudes, and expectations about a specific group before y’all meet

EX: seeing syllabus with a lot of group activities, you assume that you will do all the work in the group because that always happens to you in the group

Question 15

Anticipatory phase

Answer 15

Phase of group socialization in which people decide to join a group and make judgements about what they expect from that group and its members
○ Decided to join but haven’t met yet, still making assumptions

Question 16

Encounter phase

Answer 16

Phase of group socialization in which the group meets for the first time
- should define rules and consequences during meeting for the first time

Question 17

Assimilation phase

Answer 17

Phase of group socialization in which members decide to accept the group’s culture and the group acquires its own identity

Question 18

Exit phase

Answer 18

Phase of group socialization in which people leave a group

Question 19

Functions of small groups

Answer 19

• Focus on discrete tasks
• Evaluate and advise
• Create art and ideas
• Provide service and support
• Compete
• Help us learn

Question 20

Focus on discrete tasks

Answer 20

A function of small groups is to focus on specific assigned tasks

Question 21

Evaluate and advise

Answer 21

Discuss and evaluate particular issues and give advice on how they should be addressed
○ Some small groups advise on a as-need basis

Question 22

Create art and ideas

Answer 22

○ Small groups can create artistic expressions (ex: bands, string quartet)
○ Small groups can also create ideas instead of art (ex: brainstorm groups)

Question 23

Provide service and support

Answer 23

○ Providing community service
○ Support groups

Question 24

Promote social networking

Answer 24

Social network groups, fan clubs, chat rooms

Question 25

Compete

Answer 25

Team competitions

Question 26

Help us learn

Answer 26

• Study groups
• Clubs