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Defining Small Group Communication Chapter 1
“…the idea of a John Wayne--marvelous as he was as an actor--is just going to make it in the new world. The problems are much too complex. Furthermore, it’s always been a group. If you look through history, even though we tend to lionize the great man--as one of my students said, it was John Wayne who rode through my childhood, shaped my dreams of power and authority. It’s typically been a small group of thoughtful and committed people who have changed the world. When you ask people who painted the Sistine Chapel, what comes to most people’s minds, the correct answer is Michelangelo. But it was Michelangelo plus 13 terrific artists and a crew of 200 that did the Sistine Chapel. So all throughout history it’s been a group, a creative group.”Warren BennisOrganizing Genius: Online News Hour March 16, 1997
How do you tell a functioning small group from a collection of individuals?
What is a Small Group? “We define a small group as a few people engaged in communication interaction over time, in both face-to-face and/or computer-mediated environments, who have common goals and norms and have developed a communication pattern for meeting their goals in an interdependent manner.” Cragan, Wright, and Kasch Communiction in Small Groups
Shared Goals And Vision
MY GOALS YOUR GOALS
Individual goals Individual goals TEAM GOALS Individual goals Individual goals Individual goals
Interdependence Shared Goals And Vision
What is interdependence? • "inter" which refers to that which exists "between and among" discrete entities • Connect, support, reliance, the state of being influenced by • a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities (objects or individuals or groups)
Why must a task be complex for a group to experience interdependence?
Focus attention upon what we contribute to our interactions that enhances the quality of what exists between us
How do you tell a functioning small group from a collection of individuals?
Interdependence Shared Goals And Vision Communication
What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? • Relational/Encounter Talk
What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? • Relational/Encounter Talk • Role Talk
What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? • Relational/Encounter Talk • Role Talk • Problem-Solving Talk
What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? • Relational/Encounter Talk • Role Talk • Problem-Solving Talk • Team-Building Talk
Interdependence Shared Goals And Vision Communication Structure
What furnishes group structure? Norms and Rules
What are the three types of norms in work teams? • Social (Rules Governing Relationships
What are the three types of norms in work teams? • Social Rules Governing Relationships • Procedural Rules Governing Responsibilities
What are the three types of norms in work teams? • Social Rules Governing Relationships • Procedural Rules Governing Responsibilities • Task Rules Governing Problem-solving
What furnishes group structure? Norms and Rules Stabilized Roles
What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? • Information Provider
What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? • Information Provider • Task Leader
What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? • Information Provider • Task Leader • Central Negative
What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? • Information Provider • Task Leader • Central Negative • Socio-Emotional Leader
What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? • Information Provider • Task Leader • Central Negative • Socio-Emotional Leader • Tension-Reliever
What furnishes group structure? Norms and Rules Stabilized Roles Systematic Decision-making &Problem-Solving Procedures
How do you tell a functioning small group from a collection of individuals?
Interdependence Shared Goals And Vision Communication Cohesion Structure
What is cohesion? Degree of commitment to work collectively toward group goals. The forces acting on the individual increasing desire to remain part of the team.
"Cohesion-or solidarity, moral, community, and fellow-feeling-is the invisible binding material of teams. Cohesion makes people feel better, and it is a crucial ingredient for team viability." Leigh Thompson J. Jay Gerber Distinguished Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University
What is a Small Group? “If group members were particles and the group was a magnetic field, cohesion would be the magnetic force that held the particles together, and that force would be in constant flux.” Cragan, Wright, and Kasch Communiction in Small Groups
What are the primary factors acting on members to remain in the group? • Initial Attraction • Liking • Physical Appearance • Commonality • Proximity
Role emergence Norms stabilize Short terms goals Consensus-decision-making Productivity Investment and Ownership What factors tend to increase cohesion?
Interdependence Shared Goals And Vision T E A M Communication Cohesion Structure