Unit 4: Small Group Com

Question 1

defined as any small gathering of people interacting over time in order to reach a goal

Answer 1

Small Groups

Question 2

a form of Interpersonal communication

Answer 2

Small Group communication

Question 3

targets and agents for change are both characteristics of

Answer 3

Characteristics of small groups

Question 4

members who change their behavior or attitude due to pressures from the group

Answer 4

targets for change

Question 5

group members who exert pressure on other members to change their behavior or attitudes

Answer 5

agents for change

Question 6

guidelines or standards for behavior that apply to all members of the group

Answer 6

group norms

Question 7

define what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior for all group members.

spoken and unspoken codes of conduct which suggest how to act

all groups have them

Answer 7

norms of the group

Question 8

explicit and implicit

Answer 8

two types of group norms

Question 9

rules which are clearly stated policies or guidelines for group interaction.

such norms are purposefully introduced to the group through an oral statement or writing

Answer 9

explicit norms

Question 10

are not overtly stated or declared

implied through behavior or feedback or role modeling

Answer 10

implicit norms

Question 11

refer to a set of related behaviors that one member performs within the group on a regular basis

group roles may apply to the behavior of only one member

distribution of roles is unpredictable. any one member may be performing several roles within a group. At the same time more than one group member may be performing the same role within a group

Answer 11

group roles

Question 12

group roles are oriented toward

Answer 12

task and maintenance roles

Question 13

behaviors aimed at achieving the assigned task.

Group members who are concerned with completing the job at hand in a conscientious way are performing these roles

Answer 13

task roles

Question 14

behaviors that focus on social or emotional relationships between group members.

Group members who are concerned with group togetherness, making sure members feel included, releasing tension during conflict, etc. are performing these roles

Answer 14

maintenance roles

Question 15

refers to the feelings of belonging, acceptance, and togetherness that sometimes exist between members of a group

Answer 15

cohesion

Question 16

present in all groups. If a group is to function effectively, group goals must be clearly defined and understood by all group members.

Answer 16

group goals

Question 17

secretly held personal goals that are at cross-purposes with the group goal

in such cases this can sabotage the groups efforts

Answer 17

hidden agendas

Question 18

behavior that tends to increase the effectiveness of the group

behavior that encourages participation in discussion

behavior that demonstrates respect for each group member

behavior that clearly defines goals

behavior that clarifies and restates messages

behavior that promotes cohesiveness

Answer 18

functional behavior

Question 19

behavior that is unproductive and disruptive

behavior that leads to defensiveness and destructive conflict

behavior that is excessively critical, especially of individuals

behavior that leads to horseplay and excessive joking

behavior that causes blocking which is the verbal or nonverbal prevention of ideas and feelings from being expressed in discussion

Answer 19

dysfunctional behavior

Question 20

the exertion of influence on group members and group process

Answer 20

group leadership

Question 21

controlling the flow of information among group members by doing such things as encouraging more quite members to participate in group discussion

Answer 21

gatekeeping

Question 22

reflects how the leader assumes the responsibility of leadership

Answer 22

styles of leadership

Question 23

authoritarian approach to group members

seeks little or no feedback

one-way communication: leader tells group what to do

some situations require this type of leadership, such as during a time of crisis

Answer 23

autocratic leadership

Question 24

leader allows equal input from group members

members have a say in decision making

two way communication between the leader and members of the group

Answer 24

democratic leadership

Question 25

leader chooses to exert little or no influence or control over group members

group members function without guidance or supervision from a leader.

Answer 25

laissez-faire leadership

Question 26

individuals are born with certain characteristics or traits that will automatically cause them to become leaders

this is the “leaders are born, not made” philosophy.

Answer 26

trait theory

Question 27

certain traits or styles are appropriate in certain situations/circumstances

leadership style may be dependent upon individual characteristics, the task at hand, and/or the members’ maturity

no one leadership style will suit all situations

effective leaders vary their style to suit the situation.

Answer 27

situational theory

Question 28

a leader is defined as the person who exerts the most influence within the group

influence can be based on respect, status, possessions, credibility, etc.

Answer 28

influence theory

Question 29

individuals who exercise their leadership role by focusing on the communication process of the group’s discussion, rather that advocating a particular position on the topic of discussion they remain neutral.

Answer 29

discussion leaders or facilitators

Question 30

involves the group choosing a single option from a finite list of choices

Answer 30

decision making

Question 31

refers to the actual method employed by a group when choosing one option over another after the criteria have been established.

Answer 31

decision making techniques

Question 32

group makes its choice by a random selection such as flipping a coin.

Answer 32

decision by chance

Question 33

group allows authority figure/leader (in group or out of group) to make the decision for all members

often found in groups that have autocratic leaders

Answer 33

decision by authority

Question 34

group decision is made by voting: over 50% win

can be one of the quickest methods

is stereotyped as the most common method for decision making

is stereotyped as the American way.

Answer 34

decision by majority

Question 35

a small portion of the group decides for the whole (less than 50%)

subcommittee makes the group’s decisions.

Answer 35

decision by minority