Group Communication

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What is the difference between a group & a crowd?

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Group- Consists of people who communicate with each other over time and share an interest in the same things or share a common purpose

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Groups may be formal or informal

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Purpose of group may be social, task, or a combination of social & task

Group Communication Typically, members of a group…

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Communicate regularly

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Participate in planning, decision making or action

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Feel connected to other members

Group Norms

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Group norms- Standards for behavior within a group; how you are expected to interact

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Whether it’s okay to arrive early or late, how hard to work, how to act or dress, whether taking a break is acceptable or not, when and how to disagree, what topics are acceptable to discuss, how much to divulge about personal life, etc.

Ideal Groups

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Group size: Researchers have found ideal group size is 5-7 members

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Cohesion- When members have respect for one another, share same values, and look to one another for support; when they all want to achieve the same goal

Group discussion-

Cooperative exchange of information, opinions, and ideas  Types of Group Discussion:  Panel- informal discussion that takes place before an audience; designed to help audience become more familiar with issues  Symposium- more formal; present opposing points of view; invited experts deliver short speeches on particular issues  Town Hall Meeting- members of the community discuss issues and usually vote for solutions

Leadership

Leadership functions: any kind of behavior that helps the group toward its goal (could be one or more members of a group who fulfill these roles; group can have effective leadership even without an official leader)

Characteristics of a good leader:

  Good grasp of problem (well-informed) Familiar with group process- can organize (provide direction & structure)     Open-minded (consultant rather than boss) Self-disciplined, respectful, empathetic Good speaker (skillful communicator) Can formulate goals & ideas for both group and self  Share rewards and give group credit (believe in teamwork)   Good planner Able to adapt to meet needs of group

Ways of becoming leader:

 Appointed  Elected  Emerging  Shared

Duties of a leader:

Procedural matters  State topic    Call on individuals Request specific info.

Open and close meeting Interpersonal or climate matters  Promote group cohesiveness  Encourage members to respect one another  Help members get to know one another

Styles of Leadership

 Laissez-faire: advises if called upon; observes, records; does not direct  Authoritarian: strongly directs; very goal-oriented & opinionated  Democratic : guides; receptive to members’ suggestions; leaves decisions up to group

Group Roles

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Initiator- Proposes new ideas, goals, procedures, methods, solutions

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Information seeker- Asks for facts, clarification, or information from other members

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Information giver- Offers facts and information, personal experiences, and evidence

Group Roles

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Opinion seeker- Draws out opinions of others

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Opinion giver- States own belief or opinion; expresses a judgment

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Clarifier- Elaborates on ideas expressed by another, often by giving an example, explanation, or illustration

Group Roles

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Coordinator- Clarifies relationships among facts, ideas, and suggestions; suggests an integration of ideas and activities of two or more group members

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Orienter- Makes sure the group is focused on purpose or goal, defines position of the group, summarizes or suggests the direction of the discussion

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Energizer- Prods the group to greater activity or to a decision; stimulates activity; warns the group to act while there is still time

Group Roles

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Procedure developer- Offers suggestions for accomplishing ideas of others, or handles such tasks as seating arrangements, setting up the computer, handing out papers, running copies, etc.

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Recorder- Keeps written record; serves as group’s “memory”

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Supporter- Praises, agrees, indicates warmth and solidarity with others or goes along with them

Group Roles

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Harmonizer- Mediates differences between others

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Tension reliever- Jokes or brings out humor in a situation, reduces formality and status differences, relaxes others

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Gatekeeper- Opens channels of communication, brings in members who otherwise might not speak; sees that everyone has a fair chance to be heard

Group Roles

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Blocker- Constantly raises objections, insists nothing can be done, repeatedly brings up the same topic after the rest of the group has disposed of it Aggressor- Deflates status of others, expresses disapproval, jokes at the expense of others, expresses ill will or envy Recognition seeker- Boasts, calls attention to self, relates irrelevant personal experiences, seeks sympathy or pity Dominator- Tries to run the group by giving directions, ordering, and interrupting; insists on his or her own way Observer- Part of the group but only watches; not an active participant Isolate- Does not participate; may not want to be part of the group