Chapter 3 Communication that Structures Communication networks Conversation coherence Group member roles Group norms Group development Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press.
Download ReportTranscript Chapter 3 Communication that Structures Communication networks Conversation coherence Group member roles Group norms Group development Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press.
Chapter 3 Communication that Structures Communication networks Conversation coherence Group member roles Group norms Group development Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 1 Communication Networks Interaction pattern based on flow of messages • Communication – Who talks to whom • Formal - Who reports to whom • Affective - Who likes whom • Material - Who gives resources to whom • Proximity - Who is linked to whom • Cognitive - Who knows whom Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 2 Communication Network Attributes Ties can vary in direction Ties can be based on Ties can be strong or weak • Flow can be one way or equally between both • Content • Frequency • Channel of communication Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 3 Decentralized Networks Members communicate without restrictions Good for decision making and build cohesiveness Can produce communication overload Insert art from figure 3.1 A from page 48 Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 4 Centralized Networks One or two members restricts who talks to whom Can produce communication underload Can create disconnect among members Insert artwork from figure 3.1 B from page 48 Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 5 Assessing Your Group’s Network Often we think a group uses a decentralized or open network But, consider how the following operates in your group • Roles and norms • Power and status • Faultlines, or salient characteristics of diversity Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 6 Conversational Coherence Group members’ utterances are connected to one another Another form of structure Functional coherence Topical coherence • Group is accomplishing its purpose • Group members stayed focused on a topic Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 7 Group Member Roles Group member roles create structure for the group Roles can be 1. 2. Formal, expected • Easily labeled Informal, negotiated • Tend to emerge as substitutes for missing or ineffective formal roles Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 8 Formal Roles Those roles needed to get group work done Easily identified and labeled Carry rights and duties Can be appointed or allowed to emerge • Leader • Secretary/recorder • Critical advisor Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 9 Informal Interaction Roles Develops from patterns in conversations Sanctioned by others through interaction Developed in response to formal roles • Task roles • Group maintenance roles • Individual roles Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 10 Group Norms Shared expectation about behavior Provides clues about appropriate behavior Powerful invisible form of social control The more cohesive the group, the more powerful the norms • Informal rule adopted by the group • Regulates group members’ behavior Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 11 Developing Norms Brought into a group from previous experiences Developed in reaction to an unique event in the group Developed as a response when a group member deviates from what is typical in the group Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 12 Talking About Norms Tend to start in abstract forms and move to more defined and concrete forms To initiate a norm • Discuss early in group history • Talk explicitly about desired behavior Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 13 Group Development Phases Inclusion and dependency Conflict Negotiating goals and roles Task and activity orientation Termination Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 14 Phases of Group Development The five phases are typical for groups • But, not all groups move directly from one to the next Groups develop their own structure • Equal or unequal time in each phase • New task/activity may cause group to repeat • development phases Groups can regress and repeat phases Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press 15