Chapter 3 Communication that Structures Communication networks Conversation coherence Group member roles Group norms Group development Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press.
Download
Report
Transcript 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