Group Communication What is the difference between a group & a crowd? Group- Consists of people who communicate with each other over time and share an interest in the same things or share a common purpose Groups may be formal or informal Purpose of group may be social, task, or a combination of social & task

Group Communication Typically, members of a group… Communicate regularly Participate in planning, decision making or action Feel connected to other members

Group Norms Group norms- Standards for behavior within a group; how you are expected to interact Whether it’s okay to arrive early or late, how hard to work, how to act or dress, whether taking a break is acceptable or not, when and how to disagree, what topics are acceptable to discuss, how much to divulge about personal life, etc.

Ideal Groups Group size: Researchers have found ideal group size is 5-7 members Cohesion- When members have respect for one another, share same values, and look to one another for support; when they all want to achieve the same goal

Group discussion- Cooperative exchange of information, opinions, and ideas Types of Group Discussion: Panel- informal discussion that takes place before an audience; designed to help audience become more familiar with issues Symposium- more formal; present opposing points of view; invited experts deliver short speeches on particular issues Town Hall Meeting- members of the community discuss issues and usually vote for solutions

Leadership Leadership functions: any kind of behavior that helps the group toward its goal (could be one or more members of a group who fulfill these roles; group can have effective leadership even without an official leader)

Characteristics of a good leader: Good grasp of problem (well-informed) Familiar with group process- can organize (provide direction & structure) Open-minded (consultant rather than boss) Self-disciplined, respectful, empathetic Good speaker (skillful communicator) Can formulate goals & ideas for both group and self Share rewards and give group credit (believe in teamwork) Good planner Able to adapt to meet needs of group

Ways of becoming leader: Appointed Elected Emerging Shared

Duties of a leader: Procedural matters State topic Call on individuals Request specific info. Open and close meeting Interpersonal or climate matters Promote group cohesiveness Encourage members to respect one another Help members get to know one another

Styles of Leadership Laissez-faire: advises if called upon; observes, records; does not direct Authoritarian: strongly directs; very goal-oriented & opinionated Democratic: guides; receptive to members’ suggestions; leaves decisions up to group

Group Roles Initiator- Proposes new ideas, goals, procedures, methods, solutions Information seeker- Asks for facts, clarification, or information from other members Information giver- Offers facts and information, personal experiences, and evidence

Group Roles Opinion seeker- Draws out opinions of others Opinion giver- States own belief or opinion; expresses a judgment Clarifier- Elaborates on ideas expressed by another, often by giving an example, explanation, or illustration

Group Roles Coordinator- Clarifies relationships among facts, ideas, and suggestions; suggests an integration of ideas and activities of two or more group members Orienter- Makes sure the group is focused on purpose or goal, defines position of the group, summarizes or suggests the direction of the discussion Energizer- Prods the group to greater activity or to a decision; stimulates activity; warns the group to act while there is still time

Group Roles Procedure developer- Offers suggestions for accomplishing ideas of others, or handles such tasks as seating arrangements, setting up the computer, handing out papers, running copies, etc. Recorder- Keeps written record; serves as group’s “memory” Supporter- Praises, agrees, indicates warmth and solidarity with others or goes along with them

Group Roles Harmonizer- Mediates differences between others Tension reliever- Jokes or brings out humor in a situation, reduces formality and status differences, relaxes others Gatekeeper- Opens channels of communication, brings in members who otherwise might not speak; sees that everyone has a fair chance to be heard

Group Roles Blocker- Constantly raises objections, insists nothing can be done, repeatedly brings up the same topic after the rest of the group has disposed of it Aggressor- Deflates status of others, expresses disapproval, jokes at the expense of others, expresses ill will or envy Recognition seeker- Boasts, calls attention to self, relates irrelevant personal experiences, seeks sympathy or pity Dominator- Tries to run the group by giving directions, ordering, and interrupting; insists on his or her own way Observer- Part of the group but only watches; not an active participant Isolate- Does not participate; may not want to be part of the group