working in groups chapter 1

7/28/2019 Working in Groups Chapter 1

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Working in Groups

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Working in Groups


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Chapter 1

1. Introduction to Group Communication

Initial class meeting/

Warm Up

1.1 Succeeding in Groups

1.2 Defining GroupCommunication

1.3 The Nature of GroupCommunication

1.4 Types of Groups

1.5 Advantages andDisadvantages of Working

in Groups

1.6 The Guiding Principles ofGroup Work Activities andGroup Discussion

Succeeding in Groups New York Giants winning 2008 Super

Bowl

- The New England Patriots had super

players, megastar quarterback, a

legendary coach, and a perfect

season

- Yet New York Giants won the game

demonstrating the power of groups

to engage the right combination of

talent and willpower to overcome

all odds.


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Succeeding in Groups

Nobel Chemistry Prize Winner Dr. Peter Agre at John Hopkins University:

I didnt do this work! I made the coffee and sharpen the pencils.

on the he discovery of aquaporins, highlighting the importance of

team work.

Succeeding in Groups

Examples oforganized groups orpeople workingtogether to achieveshared goals:

Study groups

Research groups

Management teams

Volunteer groups


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Case Study The Study Group Dilemma

Q1: Should Grace join the study

group or work on her won?What would she gain or lose by

that decision?

How can some of the dialectic

tensions described in this

chapter affect how well a study

group achieves its goals?

What communication

strategies should a study group

use to ensure that members

are satisfied with the process

and the outcome?

Have you ever participated in a

study group? If yes, why did it

succeed or not succeed?

Successful Group Participation Listen effectively

Understand their roleswithin the group

Actively contribute togroup problem solving

Ask clear questions toobtain information

Establish a professionalrapport with othermembers

Communicate

effectively withmembers fromdifferent cultures

Convey a professionalimage non-verbally

Resolve group conflict

Demonstrateleadership


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Defining Group Communication the interaction of three or more

interdependent members

working to achieve a commongoal.

Groups(teams) vary in their

formality, structure, complexity,

membership and titles.

- group of friends organizing an

annual party

- corporate team organizing a

stockholders meeting.

- a football team

- a group of family members A group consists of at least 3

members.

Three or more members

A third person can

change a tie-vote

into a two-to-one

decision.


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Figure 1.1 Components of Group Communication

Group Communication

Members Goals

Working

Interdependence

Interaction

Three or more members Minimum 3 members,

with no maximum

numbers

Ideal group size for

problem solving 5-7

members

Odd number is better

than even numbers to

enable majority voting

and decision making

As group grows larger,

individual satisfaction

and commitment to the

group often decrease.


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Three or More Members

Groups less than 5 lacks resources and diversity of opinions for

effective problem solving.

Example: Small prayer groups of 5-7 members in evangelicalmega-churches.

Larger groups also has core members of 5-7 members who do

more work and take on leadership functions.

Three or More Members

Groups larger than 15 members, lacks coordination and

control, members may not know one another well,

communication requires elaborate rules and procedures.


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Interaction Requires verbal and non-

verbal communication togenerate meanings andestablish relationships.

Communication helps withsharing information andopinions, making decisions,solving problems, anddevelop interpersonalrelationships

The way in which groupmembers communicatecreates and reveals group

dynamics.(appropriateness, whichrules apply etc.)

Common Goal

Group memberscollective reason and goaldefines and unifies thegroup.

A goal is the purpose orobjective toward whichgroup work is directed.

Goals are often assigned.(a semester-long

marketing campaignassignment, assigned by amarketing instructor at acollege).

Some groups can establishtheir own goals. (A groupof students may form astudy group to prepare forEnglish Language exams).


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Common Goal

Effective groups have a common goal and dedicate their

efforts to accomplish that goal.

The single factor that separates successful groups fromunsuccessful ones, is having a clear goal because goals

guide action, set standards for measuring success, provide

a focus for resolving conflict and motivate members.

Interdependence

Each group member is affected and influenced by the actions of othermembers.

A successful interdependent group functions as a cohesive team inwhich every member is responsible for doing his or her part.

The failure of a single member can adversely affect the entire group.

For groups to be successful members need to share information, giveand receive advice, support , assistance and feedback from one another.

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1

Working Work is the physical or

mental effort used whentrying to accomplishsomething.

This something can be asocial goal-getting friendstogether for a surpriseparty-a family goal-deciding jointly to go onvacation-a work teamgoal-planning trainingsessions for improving

patient care-managementgoal-developing astrategic plan for theirorganization.

The Nature of Group Communication

Perspectives:

- the basicprocess of human

communication

- a system

approach to

understanding

groups


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The Group Communication Process

Central to groupcommunication is

interaction.

(members communicate

as they work together

toward achieving a

common goal.)

Communication is

complex between two

people but it gets evenmore complicated when

more people are involved.

Figure 1.2 The Group Communication Process

Member#4

Member#2

Member#1

Memb

er#3

Channels

Channels

Channels

Message/

Feedback


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The Communication Process Members:

- individuals belonging to the groupmembers bring dist inctive ski lls,knowledge, experiences, personality

traits, cultural backgrounds, a points ofview to a group.

Messages:- ideas, information, opinions and orfeelings that generate meaning ,

example: communicating the success ofgroup members on an excellent job

done.

Channels:- the media through which groupmembers share messages: hearing,

seeing, touching, smelling and tasting.Example; sending an email or bringing

cookies or fruit to praise members.

Feedback:- the response or reaction to a message.By recognizing and adapting to

feedback, you can assess how wellothers receive and interpret your messages.

The Communication Process

Feedback: - Verbal or non-verbal response., smile, nod, look attentive when they speak.Thanks; Im pretty proud of the way we pulled together on this project.

Context: physical and psychological environment in which a group communicates. It includes

type and size of groups purpose and history, the physical setting, the groups role and status

in organization, and the characteristics of and relationships among group members. Study

group meeting in a cafeteria vs. well-established corporate marketing team holding a

videoconference with international clients.

Noise: anything that interferes with or inhibits communication. Noise can be external, such as

loud people in the hallway, or a member walking late into a meeting, but also it can be

internal and psychological> Biases, thoughts, fatigue, and hunger al l affect how well you

express your thoughts or interpret the messages of other members.


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Theory in Groups

System Theory(System Perspective) is a group of

theories that examine how interdependent factors

affect one another. Communication does not takeplace in isolation, but rather necessitates a

communication system. Common characteristics

include:

Systems function in a particular environment in

which they receive input and produce output.

System components are interdependent. The

contamination of one cell leads to the

contamination of many cells.

Systems have a purpose or goal. The digestive

system converts food into fuel for the body.

Systems are unpredictable. There are multiple

ways of achieving the same goal in most systems.

When a company is losing money, there are many

options of solving the problem.

Systems try to maintain a balance in theirenvironment. When an ecosystem is invaded by

unwelcome intruders, native organisms may

defend their territory or move to a less hostile

environment in order to restore equilibrium and

harmony.

Groups as Systems Groups are complex systems. The

actions of individual members affect

everyone in the group as well as the

outcome of the groups efforts.

Example: Pho Bo. In groups people

are the major ingredients: in the right

combination, they can produce a

highly productive and satisfying

experience.

System theory tells us a great deal

about the nature of groups and helps

prepare us for the unpredictable

tensions that characterize the work of

a group and its members. It also helps

us understand the behaviour of

groups and their members:

Groups as systems are part of a larger

system. Group of students in a class

are part of that class and the class is

part of a year and the whole school

system, which is part of the Education

System and the whole national

system.


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Groups in Balance Create Synergy:When three or more

interdependent interact or work

toward a common goal, they have

the potential to create asynergistic system. Synergy is a

term that describes the

cooperative interaction of several

factors that results in a combined

effort greater than the total of all

individual contributions. The

whole is greater than the sum of

its parts. The root of the word

synergy comes from the Greek

word meaning synergos

meaning working together.

Effective groups are synergistic.

Companies whose executives

earn modest salaries havesurpassed companies in which the

CEOs are paid millions of dollars.

Ordinary groups have achieved

extraordinary results.

Types of Groups8 Categories of

groups:

Primary groups

Social Groups

Self-help groups

Learning groups Service groups

Civic groups

Public groups


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Work Groups

Responsible forachieving specific

tasks or performing

routine duties in

behalf of a company,

organization,

association, agency or

institution.

People at work may

belong to severalwork groups such as

committees and work

teams.

Public Groups Interacts in front of

or for the benefit of

the public.

Involves in

information sharing,

decision making, or

problem solving as

well as concerned

with making a

positive impression

on a public

audience.


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Table 1.1 Basic Types of GroupsType of Group Overall Purpose Examples

Primary Group To provide members with affection,support, and a sense of belonging and

confidence

Families, best friends

Social Group To share common interests in a

friendly setting or participate in social

activities

Athletic team, hobby groups, sororities

and fraternities, peer groups

Self-Help Group To offer support and encouragement

to members who want or need help

with personal problems

Therapy groupsand programs such as

Weight Watchers, Alcoholic

Anonymous, Parents without Parents

Learning Group To help members develop knowledge

and gain skills

Classmates, study groups, book

discussion groups, professional

workshops, health and fitness classes

Service Group To support worthy causes that help

people outside the group

Charitable foundations

Civic Group To support worthy causes that help

people within the group

PTA, labour unions, veteran groups,

neighbourhood can community

associations

Work Group To achieve specific tasks and routine

duties on behalf of a business or

organization

Committees, task forces, work teams,

management teams

Public Group To discuss important issues in front of

or for the benefit of the public or key

decision makers

Public panel discussions, symposiums,

forumsand governance groups

Table 1.2 Types of Work GroupsCommittees are given specific assignment by

a larger group or by person in a

position of authority

are most common in the work

environment

are often used by service groups

to accomplish specific tasks

Examples:

An ad hoc committee could plan a

high school reunion, organize a

fund-raising campaign for a

charity, or promote community

cleanup for a neighbourhood.

Ad-Hoc Committee

Forms for a specific purpose and

disbands once it has completed its

assignment or task

Examples: ongoing business social

committees, membership

committees, and finance

committees.

Task Force

Remains active in order to

accomplish an ongoing task

Examples: A government task force

could examine health-care system

or analyze the decline in a school

systems test scores.

Work Teams are given full responsibility and

resources for their performance

are relatively permanent groups

do not take time from work to

meet-they unite to work

Examples: A health-care team

attends to a specific patient or

group of patients. A research team

takes on a specific research project.

A legal team forms and works to

defend or prosecute a specific case.


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Table1.3 Types of Public GroupsPanel Discussions involve several people who interact with

one another on a common topic for the

benefit of an audience

usually feature a moderator who tries

to control the flow of communication

are designed to educate, influence, or entertain an audience

Examples: Panel discussions are very common on televi sion shows

such as Oprah. Some presents bizarre discussions, while more serious

discussions are moderated on Sunday political shows and business

programmes such as Wall Street Week or Face the Nation.

Symposiums require each group member to present a short, uninterrupted speech

on different aspects of a topic for the benefit of an audience

are unique because group members give speeches to an audience

rather than interact with other group members.

Examples: A local PTA may sponsor a drug symposium in which a

psychologist, a physician, a police officer and a former drug addict are

given uninterrupted time to inform parents about the drug problem

and recommend strategies for prevention and treatment

Forums provide an opportunity for audience members to comment, express

concerns, or ask questions

need a strong moderator to make sure that audience members have

an equal opportunity to speak

Examples: Employees may ask questions after listening to a managers

plan for cutting expenses, Citizens may comment and ask candidates or

elected officials for town meeting

Governance Groups make public policy decisions in public settings

Examples:State legislatures, city and county councils, and the governing

boards of public agencies and educational institutions must conduct

their meetings in public. The U.S. Congress cannot deny the public

access to congressional debates.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups

Advantages Disadvantages

Superior Performance More time, Energy and Resources

More learning Conflict

Enhanced Cultural Understanding People Problems

More Creativity

Greater Civil Engagement


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Balance: The Guiding Principle of Group Work

Balance describes a state of

equilibrium in which no significantfactor dominates or interferes with

other factors.

In group communication, the groups

common goal is the point on which

members balance many factors such

as the groups task and social

functions, individual and group needs,

and the responsibilities of leadership

and followership.

Achieving balance requires an

understanding of the interplay of the

contradictory forces that operate in all

groups.

Groups in Balance: Link Theories, Methods and Tools

A theory is a statement that tries to

explain or predict events and

behaviour. Group communication

theories help us understand what is

occurring in a group and why a group

succeeds or fails.

A method is a strategy, guideline,

procedure, or a technique dealing with

the issues and problems that arise in

groups. Effective methods are based on

theories. Without theories, you wont

know why a particular method works in

one situation and fails in another.

A tool in the context of group work is a

resource and skill that helps a group

carry out or achieve its common goal.

Communication skills are the most

important tools available to group

members. Like methods, tools are most

effective when their use is based on

theories.


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Group Dialectics The contradictory tensions

groups experience as they

work toward a commongoal. Effective groups

engage in a cooperative

effort balance group

dialectics through effective

group communication

strategies.

Successful groups and

group members balance

dialectic tensions by using

both/and approach. For

example in some groupsyou may both enjoy a warm

friendships with some

members and effectively

cope with some members

who are difficult.

Table 1.4 Group DialecticsGroup Dialectics Balancing Group Dialectics

Individual Goals Group Goals Members personal goals are balanced with the

groups common goal.

Conflict Cohesion The value of constructive conflict is balanced with the

need for unity and cohesiveness

Conforming Nonconforming A commitment to group norms and standards is

balanced with a willingness to differ and change

Task Dimensions Social Dimensions The responsibility and motivation to complete tasks

are balanced with promoting member relationships

Homogenous Heterogeneous Member similarities are balanced with member

differences in skills, roles, personal characteristics, andcultural perspectives

Leadership Followership Effective and ethical leadership is balanced with

committed and responsible followership

Structure Spontaneity The need for structured procedures is balanced with

the need to innovative and creative thinking

Engaged Disengaged Member energy and labour are balanced with the

groups need for rest and renewal

Open System Closed System External support and recognition are balanced with

internal group solidarity and rewards


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Theory in Groups

Relational Dialectics Theory: Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery claims that relationships are characterized by ongoing,

dialectic tensions between multiple contradictions, complexities and changes in human

experiences.

Opposites attract but Birds f a feather flock together.

Twos a company; three is a crowd but The more, the merrier.

Relational Dialectics Theory takes both/and approach instead of either/or response.

There are several ways to resolve relational dialectic tensions:

- You can choose one option in different situations and at different points in time. Example:

Normally, group meetings follow a highly structured agenda. Because group members are having

difficulty coming up with a good solution to a problem, they decide to set aside the agenda for

thirty minutes so they can do some unstructured brainstorming.

You can choose different options for different psychological contexts. Example: Joe goes with the

flow and adheres to group norms about keeping conflict under control, but when one member

personally embarrasses another, he feels compelled to speak out against this behaviour in front of

the entire group. You can choose one option and ignore the other. Example: Even though a group knows that two

absent members would vote against a potential decision theyre discussing, they go ahead and

make the decision anyway. (The least effective way to resolve relational dialectics as one has to

give up or lose one option over another. Engaging both options to some degree is a better way.)

Groups in Balance: Empower Members Use both/and

language

Enable

members to

make and own

their individualor group goal.

Characteristics:

Potency, Meaningfulness, Autonomy, Impact


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Ethics in Groups The National

Communication Association

Credo for EthicalCommunication

Advocate truthfulness,

accuracy, honesty and

reason for integrity of

communication

Freedom of expression,

diversity of perspective,

and tolerance of dissent for

informed decision making

Understand and respect

communicators before

evaluating and responding

to their messages

Promotes access to

communication resources

and opportunities

Ethics in Groups Promote communication

climates of caring and

mutual understanding

Condemn degrading

communication

Commitment to Expression

of personal conviction

Sharing of information,

opinions and feelings.

working in groups chapter 1

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