lecture 11 group communication

8/6/2019 Lecture 11 Group Communication

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SMALL GROUP

COMMUNICATION


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Characteristics of a small group

Consists of 5 12 people

Each member must be able to communicate

as source and receiver easily

Members must be connected to one another

in some way (eg. possess similarities, or

working towards the same goal)

They must be connected by some organizing

rules or structure


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Reasons for joining groups

To establish a relationship

To fulfill personal and security needs

To engage in activities

To share similar interests

To execute some work / tasks Proximity factor


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Group Norms

Rules or standards of behavior identifyingwhich behaviors are considered appropriateand which are not

The rules can be implicit or explicit Groups norms are results of frequent

interactions and communication among groupmembers

Norms regulate a particular membersbehavior (role expectations)

Eg. of norms:

o Dressing code

o Communication style


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Types of Groups Idea-Generation Groups

Use brainstorming technique to generate ideas

Personal Growth Groups (support groups) Aim to help members cope with particular

difficulties

Eg. Alcoholic Anonymous, group for singlemothers, etc.

Information-Sharing Groups Purpose to acquire new information or skill

through a sharing of knowledge Members have something to teach and somethingto learn

Problem-Solving Groups A collection of individuals who meet to solve a

problem or to reach a decision


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Problem Solving Methods in Small

Groups

Brainstorming

Nominal Group Technique

Delphi Method

Quality Circles


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Brainstorming technique

Steps:

All ideas are recorded. Suspend all

evaluations, praises and criticism.

Strive for quantity the more ideas the

better.

Combine and extend ideas. Develop the wildest ideas possible.


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Nominal Group Technique

A method of problem solving that uses limiteddiscussion and confidential voting to obtain a groupdecision.

Useful if some members are reluctant to voice outtheir opinions, or when it involves controversial or

sensitive topic. Steps:

The problem is defined and clarified for all members.

Each member writes down (without discussion orconsultation with others) own ideas / solutions

Each member takes turn to read their ideas and these arerecorded on a white board

Each idea is clarified

Members rank orders the suggestions individually

The rankings are combined to get a group ranking

Clarification, discussion and possible reordering may follow.

The highest-ranking solution is selected.


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The Delphi Method

A group of experts is established

No face-to-face interaction among members

Members communicate by repeatedly

responding to questionnaires Advantage:

Useful when members are geographicallydispersed

To minimize effect of dominant members or peerpressure

Each member has the same amount ofopportunities to a suggest a solution to a problem


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Steps in Delphi method:

1. The problem is defined.2. Each member anonymously contributes five ideas in

writing (in questionnaires either manually mailed orby e-mail)

3. The ideas are combined, written up and distributed

to members.4. Members are asked to choose 3/4 best ideas from

the list

5. Another list is produced from the findings and thislist is again distributed to members.

6. Members choose 1 / 2 best ideas

7. Steps 3 6 are repeated until members come to anagreement.

8. The final solution is identified and all members are

informed.


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Quality Circles

A group of workers (usually from 6-12) whosetask is to investigate and makerecommendations for improving the quality of

some organizational function Generally, the motivation to establishing

quality circles is economic: the companysaim to improve quality and profitability.

Another related goal is to improve workersmorale; because quality circles involveworkers in decision making, workers may feelempowered and more essential to theorganization.


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Quality Circles (cont.)

QC members investigate problems using anymethod they feel might be helpful, forexample, face to face problem solving

groups, nominal groups, or delphi method. The group then reports its findings and

suggestions to those who can do somethingabout it. In some cases the quality circle

members may implement their solutionswithout approval from upper managementlevels.


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Participating in Groups:

Members Roles Group Task Roles (peranan tugas)

Roles that help the group focus more specifically onachieving its goals

Eg. information seeker, idea contributor, recorder,coordinator, etc.

Group Building and Maintenance Roles (peranan

memelihara) Roles that help to build and maintain interpersonal

relationships among group members

Eg. harmonizer, encourager, compromiser, follower,observer, etc.

Individual Roles (memusat kepada diri) Members individual roles that focus on serving

individual needs rather than group needs

Might hinder the groups productivity and membersatisfaction

Eg. aggressor, dominator, recognition seeker, etc.


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Participating in Groups -

Leaders Roles

Prediscussion Functions Activate the Group Agenda

Activate Group Interaction

Maintain Effective Interaction

Empower Group Members

Manage Conflict among Members

Keep Members on Track

Ensure Member Satisfaction Encourage Ongoing Evaluation andImprovement

Postdiscussion Functions


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Approaches to Leadership

Traits Approach Leaders must possess certain qualities to function

effectively

Functional Approach

Leaders are the ones who behave / function asleaders

Transformational Approach Leaders are the ones who enable and empower

group members Situational Approach

Leaders are the ones who balance taskaccomplishment and member satisfaction on thebasis on situations


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Styles of Leadership

Laissez-Faire Leader

Democratic Leader

Authoritarian Leader


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Types of Power in Small Groups

1. Legitimate Power (kuasa kesahan)

- having power by virtue of position, or roles occupied

2. Referent Power (kuasa rujuk)

- a power you have if there is another person wishes tobe like you.

3. Reward Power (kuasa ganjaran)

- when you have the ability to give a person rewards(material or social)

4. Coercive Power (kuasa hukuman)

- when you have ability to remove rewards or administerpunishment

5. Expert Power(kuasa pakar)- if members perceive you as having expertise or

knowledge

6. Information / Persuasion Power (kuasa memujuk)

- if you are seen as someone who can communicate

logically and persuasively.


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Group Cohesiveness Cohesiveness - the degree to which group members

identify themselves as a team, rather than as just acollection of individuals

Characteristics of a cohesive group:

High level of in-group communication

High levels of cooperation and friendship amongmembers

The groups norms exert great influence on thebehaviors and attitudes of the members

The group is able to achieve its objectives

effectively Satisfied members

Increased cohesiveness = increased productivity

Nevertheless, too much cohesion could lead to lowproductivity. caused by groupthink syndrome


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High cohesive group vs. low

cohesive group Characteristics of high cohesive group:

High level of in-group communication

High levels of cooperation and friendship amonggroup members

The groups norms exert great influence on thebehaviours and attitudes of the members

The group is able to achieve its objectives

effectively Satisfied members

Members are proud to be members

Members are loyal to the group


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Characteristics of low cohesive group: Arguments among members

Members are probably bored with the group

experience

Members often look for excuses to skip groupmeetings

If there is a choice, group members would drop

out of the group

Etc. (opposites of high cohesive group)


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Relationships between

cohesiveness and productivityAs a group raises its level of cohesiveness,

the more likely it is to raise its level of

productivity However, extremely cohesive groups are

more likely to have moderate to low

productivity, because:

Members enjoy one anothers company too much

The existence of reserve productivity (produktiviti

tersimpan)


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Relationship between Group

Productivity and Group Cohesiveness

Productivity

Cohesiveness

Min

Min

Max

Max


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Groupthink Syndrome

Groupthink a way of thinking that people use whenagreement among members becomes extremelyimportant in a cohesive group

Symptoms of group think:

Group members think that they are invulnerable to

dangers Create rationalizations to avoid dealing with threats

Believe that the group is moral

Those opposed to the group are perceived insimplistic, stereotyped ways

Group pressure is put on those who express doubtsor question the groups proposals

Believe that all members are in unanimousagreement


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Suggestions for combating

groupthink When too simple solutions are offered to

problems, try to illustrate for the group

members how the complexity of the problemis not going to yield to the solutions offered.

Encourage members to voice disagreements.

Play devils advocate.

Ask members to write ideas anonymously on

papers. These ideas are read aloud by the

group leader.

lecture 11 group communication

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