Chapter 1 Defining Small Group Communication

“…the idea of a John Wayne--marvelous as he was as an actor--is just going to make it in the new world. The problems are much too complex. Furthermore, it’s always been a group. If you look through history, even though we tend to lionize the great man--as one of my students said, it was John Wayne who rode through my childhood, shaped my dreams of power and authority. It’s typically been a small group of thoughtful and committed people who have changed the world. When you ask people who painted the Sistine Chapel, what comes to most people’s minds, the correct answer is Michelangelo. But it was Michelangelo plus 13 terrific artists and a crew of 200 that did the Sistine Chapel. So all throughout history it’s been a group, a creative group.” Warren Bennis Organizing Genius: Online News Hour March 16, 1997

How do you tell a functioning small group from a collection of individuals?

What is a Small Group? “We define a small group as a few people engaged in communication interaction over time, in both face- to-face and/or computer-mediated environments, who have common goals and norms and have developed a communication pattern for meeting their goals in an interdependent manner.” Cragan, Wright, and Kasch Communiction in Small Groups

Shared Goals And Vision

TEAM GOALS Individual goals Individual goals Individual goals Individual goals Individual goals

Shared Goals And Vision Interdependence

What is interdependence?

Interdependence

What is interdependence? "inter" which refers to that which exists "between and among" discrete entities Connect, support, reliance, the state of being influenced by a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities (objects or individuals or groups)

Why must a task be complex for a group to experience interdependence?

Focus attention upon what we contribute to our interactions that enhances the quality of what exists between us

How do you tell a functioning small group from a collection of individuals?

Shared Goals And Vision Interdependence Communication

What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? Relational/Encounter Talk

What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? Relational/Encounter Talk Role Talk

What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? Relational/Encounter Talk Role Talk Problem-Solving Talk

What are the primary functions of communication when working in teams? Relational/Encounter Talk Role Talk Problem-Solving Talk Team-Building Talk

Shared Goals And Vision Interdependence Communication Structure

What furnishes group structure? Norms and Rules

What are norms?

What are the three types of norms in work teams?

Social (Rules Governing Relationships

What are the three types of norms in work teams? Social Rules Governing Relationships Procedural Rules Governing Responsibilities

What are the three types of norms in work teams? Social Rules Governing Relationships Procedural Rules Governing Responsibilities Task Rules Governing Problem-solving

What furnishes group structure? Norms and Rules Stabilized Roles

What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? Information Provider

What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? Information Provider Task Leader

What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? Information Provider Task Leader Central Negative

What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? Information Provider Task Leader Central Negative Socio-Emotional Leader

What are the primary roles when working as a member of a project team? Information Provider Task Leader Central Negative Socio-Emotional Leader Tension-Reliever

What furnishes group structure? Norms and Rules Stabilized Roles Systematic Decision-making &Problem-Solving Procedures

How do you tell a functioning small group from a collection of individuals?

Shared Goals And Vision Interdependence Communication StructureCohesion

What is cohesion?

Degree of commitment to work collectively toward group goals. The forces acting on the individual increasing desire to remain part of the team.

"Cohesion-or solidarity, moral, community, and fellow-feeling-is the invisible binding material of teams. Cohesion makes people feel better, and it is a crucial ingredient for team viability." Leigh Thompson J. Jay Gerber Distinguished Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University

What does it mean to say that group cohesion is a process?

What is a Small Group? “ If group members were particles and the group was a magnetic field, cohesion would be the magnetic force that held the particles together, and that force would be in constant flux. ” Cragan, Wright, and Kasch Communiction in Small Groups

What are the primary factors acting on members to remain in the group? Initial Attraction Liking Physical Appearance Commonality Proximity

What factors tend to increase cohesion? Role emergence Norms stabilize Short terms goals Consensus- decision-making Productivity Investment and Ownership

Shared Goals And Vision Interdependence Communication StructureCohesion