Unit 4: Small Group Com Flashcards
defined as any small gathering of people interacting over time in order to reach a goal
Small Groups
a form of Interpersonal communication
Small Group communication
targets and agents for change are both characteristics of
Characteristics of small groups
members who change their behavior or attitude due to pressures from the group
targets for change
group members who exert pressure on other members to change their behavior or attitudes
agents for change
guidelines or standards for behavior that apply to all members of the group
group norms
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
norms of the group
explicit and implicit
two types of group norms
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
explicit norms
are not overtly stated or declared
implied through behavior or feedback or role modeling
implicit norms
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
group roles
group roles are oriented toward
task and maintenance roles
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
task roles
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
maintenance roles
refers to the feelings of belonging, acceptance, and togetherness that sometimes exist between members of a group
cohesion
present in all groups. If a group is to function effectively, group goals must be clearly defined and understood by all group members.
group goals
secretly held personal goals that are at cross-purposes with the group goal
in such cases this can sabotage the groups efforts
hidden agendas
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
functional behavior
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
dysfunctional behavior
the exertion of influence on group members and group process
group leadership
controlling the flow of information among group members by doing such things as encouraging more quite members to participate in group discussion
gatekeeping
reflects how the leader assumes the responsibility of leadership
styles of leadership
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
autocratic leadership
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
democratic leadership
leader chooses to exert little or no influence or control over group members
group members function without guidance or supervision from a leader.
laissez-faire leadership
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.
trait theory
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.
situational theory
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.
influence theory
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.
discussion leaders or facilitators
involves the group choosing a single option from a finite list of choices
decision making
refers to the actual method employed by a group when choosing one option over another after the criteria have been established.
decision making techniques
group makes its choice by a random selection such as flipping a coin.
decision by chance
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
decision by authority
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.
decision by majority
a small portion of the group decides for the whole (less than 50%)
subcommittee makes the group’s decisions.
decision by minority
