1. Small Group Communication
CHAPTER 9
Communication: Embracing Difference
Dunn & Goodnight

2. Small-Group Communication
What is Small-Group Communication?
We are working on our group project for COM 114 ( ( ( ( ( (
What is Small-Group Communication?
Comprised of 3 to 8 people
People who share a common goal or objective
Who usually interact face to face ( (

3. Types of Small Groups Knowledge-gaining Problem solving
Personal growth
Types of Small Groups
Knowledge-gaining: People come together to learn or experience new things.
Personal growth: Groups focus on individual or personal well being.
Social: People come to interact on an informal basis and to maintain interpersonal relationships.
Problem solving: People come together to answer a question or provide a solution to a problem.
Social

4. Variables within Small Groups
Norms
Roles
Cohesiveness
Commitment
Arrangement
Norms:
Rules that dictate how group members ought to behave
Roles:
A set of expected behaviors members of the group must follow
Cohesiveness:
Demonstrated sense of purpose within the group.
Commitment:
The motivation of members to meet the goals of the group.
Arrangement :
The physical placement of the individuals within the group.

5. Types of Roles Task Roles Maintenance Roles
Dysfunctional or Negative Roles
Task Roles
Person is concerned about the group meeting the goal or objective the group was assigned.
Maintenance Roles:
Person is concerned with the relationships within the group, a positive climate is strived for.
Dysfunctional or Negative Roles:
Person hinders the group’s ability to meet its goal or objective, usually interfere with other positive roles.

6. Small Group Discussion Phases
Orientation Phase
Emergence Phase
Reinforcement Phase
Orientation Phase
The beginning of the discussion, members are usually concerned about establishing a comfortable and supportive social climate.
Conflict Phase
Ideas begin to surface regarding the decision-making and tension begins to surface as well, disagreement is natural.
Emergence Phase
Discussion continues, group grows anxious to reach a decision.
Reinforcement Phase
Final phase of decision-making process, a consensus is achieved.
Conflict Phase

7. Decision Making Methods
Decision by the Leader
The leader makes all the decisions
The rest of the group members have no say
Decision by Majority Vote
A decision is made when the entire group individually votes for the outcome in which they prefer. The outcome with the most votes is picked.
Decision by Consensus
The group members come to a genuine agreement that an appropriate decision has been made.
Consensus can lead to GROUPTHINK… What is Groupthink?
Decision by the Leader
Is appropriate when “time is of the essence” or for routine decisions, may cause resentment or less cohesiveness amongst the group.
Decision by Majority Vote
Is the most democratic method, decision is made by the most votes.
Decision by Consensus
Is the genuine agreement among members that an appropriate decision has been made, peer pressured decisions does not make a true consensus.