Working as a Group Small Groups

Small Group = 3 to 9 people. To what groups do you belong? Think of two groups (outside of your family). Sports Teams Organizations “Cliques” Etc.

Small Groups What made these experiences good? What made these experiences bad?

Small Groups With your neighbors… Solve this riddle. There is a house with four walls. Each wall faces south. There is a window in each wall. A bear walks by one of the windows. What kind of bear was it? A Polar bear. If all the walls face south, the house must be at the North pole and the bear, a polar bear.

…Too easy? What do each of these have in common? Doughnut, notebook, golf course Turtle, peanut, oyster Brown, Polar, Kodiak Cough, Tear, Rain Soap, Granola, Candy

…Too easy? Doughnut, notebook, golf course They all have holes. Turtle, peanut, oyster They all have shells. Brown, Polar, Kodiak They are all kinds of bears. Cough, Tear, Rain They are all kinds of drops. Soap, Granola, Candy They are all kinds of bars.

Small Groups You probably worked with more than two people (yourself included). You tried to solve a problem (goal). Small Group Process The interaction among three to nine people who are working together to achieve an interdependent goal.

Small Groups Why do you think people always end up being in a group of some sort?

Small Groups Inclusion The state of being involved with others.

Small Groups Affection Being valued Control The ability to influence your environment.

Dynamics of Small Groups DIFFERENT TYPES OF GROUPS: 1) Task oriented group Groups that form to solve a task or problem.

Dynamics of Small Groups 2) Relationship-oriented groups. Groups that make us feel a sense of worth. Long-term. Satisfy inclusion & affection

Dynamics of Small Groups 3) Assigned groups. Develop out of hierarchy. Groups are assigned.

Dynamics of Small Groups 4) Emergent groups. From environmental conditions. By choice.

Group Leaders Second-half of worksheet.

Leadership in Groups Leader A person who influences the behavior and attitudes of others through communication. Leadership A process using communication to influence behaviors and attitudes of others to meet group goals.

Group Leaders Types of Small Group Leaders Designated leaders Those that you elect to lead. Emergent leaders Temporary leaders that help guide the group for a while.

Dynamics of Small Groups What does it mean to be “a leader” in a group? A process using communication to influence behaviors and attitudes of others to meet group goals.

Group Leader Power Leader Power: Interpersonal influence that forms the basis for group leadership.

Group Leader Power 1) Reward The ability to give something of value.

Group Leader Power 2) Punishment The ability to withhold something of value to another.

Group Leader Power 3) Legitimate Your role/title. Assigned leader, title

Group Leader Power 4) Referent Power based on respect or loyalty.

Group Leader Power 5) Expert One’s experience/knowledge is valued by other members.

Roles Formal roles – assigned role Informal roles – develop out of the interactions of group members COMM FUNCTIONS: Task – moves group towards goal Relational – “harmonizes” members Self-centered – own needs over group’s

Group Climate Climate Emotional tone or atmosphere members create within the group. Trust, support, cohesion

Group Climate King of Cars example

Group Culture Groupthink The desire for cohesion and agreement takes priority over critical analysis and discussion. “Blindly doing what you’re supposed to do.” The best decision/outcome is not reached. NASA – space shuttle disaster. Monty Python Example

Questions???

ACTIVITY Build a straw bridge. When were task, maintenance, and self- center communication functions apparent? Who took on the leadership role? How did you know?

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS 1) How did your group work together? 2) What task/relational/self-centered functions did you use? 3) Who was the leader? How do you know?