Group Communication Vocabulary

Group: A small number of people who identify and interact with one another because of a common interest, bond, or goal

Committee: A group with a specialized task which is part of the structure of an organization

Advocacy group: A group set up specifically to support, protect, defend, or lobby for a case or group

Group goal: The specific tasks and expected outcome of a group

Policy-making group: A group that has the task of creating procedural rules for all organizational members to follow

Action group: A group appointed to plan and implement a specific course of action

Social group: A group that someone joins purely for social reasons

Group norm: Informal, often unstated rules about what behavior is appropriate in a group

Prescribed norm: A rule of appropriate behavior that is routinely taught to new group members

Facilitator: A group member who adds positive task energy to the group by helping group members follow through on tasks

Initiator: A group member who works to get the group started toward achieving the group goal

Agitator: Someone who injects negative energy into the group process

Group dynamics: The energy created as group members communicate and interact with one another

Group discussion: Three or more people exchanging ideas on specific topic for a specific purpose

Team: A small group that usually is given power to make and implement decisions