1. Prepared by Darrell G. Mullins Salisbury University This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; Any rental, lease or lending of the program. Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

3. Overview of Themes  The Importance of Small Group Communication  What Is Small Group Communication?  Small Group Communication and the Individual  Effective Small Group Communication  The Individual, Small Group Communication, and Society  Ethics and Small Group Communication  Improving Your Small Group Communication Skills Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

4. The Importance of Small Group Communication Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. “Whether you love working in groups or hate it, groups are everywhere.” Pixland/Jupiterimages

5. Reasons to Study Small Group Communication  Inevitability of Groups  Primary Groups  Secondary Groups  Enhanced College Performance  Enhanced Career Success  Enhanced Personal Life Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

6. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups  Advantages  Higher Quality Decisions  Stimulates Creativity  Social Facilitation  Promotes Critical Thinking  Disadvantages  Takes More Time  Can Facilitate Dominators  Teamwork Has Its Limits Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

7. “You might think that a small group is simply a collection of individuals, but we (and most communication scholars) have a more specific definition for small groups.” Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. What is small group communication? © moodboard/Corbis Royalty Free

8. Small Group Communication Defined  Communication  among a small number of people  who share a common purpose  who are connected to one another  who have influence on one another Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

9. Small Group Communication and the Individual Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. “The quality of a group depends on the contributions of individual members, and one reason for ineffective groups is the poor communication skills of individual members. Lack of communication among group members can even be disastrous.” Tom Merton/OJO Images/Getty Images Royalty Free

10. Small Group Communication Task Roles  Initiator-Contributor  Information Seeker  Information Giver  Opinion Giver  Elaborator  Coordinator  Orienter  Evaluator-Critic  Energizer  Procedural- Technician  Recorder Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

11. Small Group Communication Relational Roles  Encourager  Harmonizer  Compromiser  Gatekeeper  Expediter  Standard Setter  Group Observer  Follower Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

12. Small Group Communication “Individual” Roles  Aggressor  Blocker  Recognition Seeker  Self-Confessor  Joker  Dominator  Help Seeker  Special-Interest Pleader Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Why is the word individual in quotation marks?

13. Theories of Leadership  Trait Theory  Functional Theory  Style Theory  Transformational Theory  Servant Leadership Theory Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

14. Effective Small Group Communication  Balancing Task/Relational Interaction  Equal Participation  Consensus Decision-Making Style  Cooperative Conflict Style  Respectful Communication Style  Use the Problem-Solving Agenda Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

15. Stages of the Problem-Solving Agenda  Define/Delineate the Problem  Analyze the Problem  Identify Alternative Solutions  Evaluate Proposed Solutions  Choose the Best Solution Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

16. Small Group Decision Making  Decision-Making Phases  Orientation and Primary Tension  Conflict and Secondary Tension  Emergence  Reinforcement  The Disadvantages of Extreme Group Cohesion-Groupthink Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

17. Technology and Group Communication  How Technology Enhances Positive Communication  Types of Group-Oriented Technology  Virtual Meetings  Group Support Software  GSS Technology  Combinations Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

18. “The world outside influences this form of communication in two important respects: (1) the way power is used inside and outside groups, and (2) the role cultural diversity plays.” Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. ©Bob Daemmrich/The Image Works The Individual, Small Group Communication, and Society

19. The Impact of Societal Forces on Group Communication  Power Structures  Members of dominant social groups may dominate small groups in which they function  Use of legitimate and coercive power  Cultural Diversity  Innovation  Performance  Group Processes  Group Enjoyment Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

20. Ethics and Small Group Communication Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Improving Your Small Group Communication “While you should strive for accuracy and honesty in your language, there may be times when you should not say everything you know— for example, when you should respect the confidentiality of others, including group members.”

21. Some Guidelines  Remember that individual actions have a larger impact.  Truth and honesty are critical.  Know when to hold back.  Use authentic communication.  Listen to the speaker.  Cultivate an interdependent attitude.  Strive for cohesion.  Work to build trust. Copyright © 2010, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.