1. GROUP COMMUNICATION UNIT

2. How is group communication defined?
* Group communication is:
* 3 or more people
* Common goal
- Meet to solve a common problem, arrive at a decision, or answer a question of mutual interest
- Cooperation

3. When might you have to communicate in a group?
At a job
Meeting with boss
Meeting with other co-workers
Congress
At school
English class: making a presentation
Lab in science
In a club meeting (student council)
Oral Comm class!
Team Committee
School Board Meeting
Religious study groups
Planning a surprise party for your parents with your siblings

4. What are the different types of group communication?
Committee
Round-table Discussion
Panel
Symposium

5. Committee
* A small subgroup of a larger organization that has been given a specific task or set of tasks to perform
- Examples:
Government usually breaks up into committees, like Commission of Fine Arts, Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction, Japan-United States Friendship Commission.
Student Council breaks into committees to plan school events, like collecting change for the Friendship Home.

6. Round-table Discussion

7. Round-table Discussion
King Arthur’s knights at a circular table
* Everyone has equal say
* The discussion is produced by the people in the group
- Examples:
A book club meeting to discuss the latest book.
Groups in OC.

8. Panel Discussion of topics in front of an audience. - Examples:
College classes
Sports press conferences
In Careers class

9. Symposium
* 1 member of the group gives a short, uninterrupted speech, which is followed by a speech from the next member, and so on.
- There is no interaction between members.
- Examples:
Congress

10. Appointed Leader vs. Emergent Leader

11. Leaders APPOINTED: Elected by the group EMERGENT:
Not voted, leader will organically arise to the function.
People with naturally leadership qualities will be more apt to want to fill this job.

12. Task Messages vs. Maintenance Messages

13. You’ve heard these in groups:
“Can’t we stay focused on the assignment?”
“Can we get back to the assignments?”
“Stop goofing off!”
“So-and-so is talking to people on the other side of the room.”
“Let’s take a vote.”

14. Task Messages
Designed to help the group achieve its goals or complete its task.
Initiating the goals/task
Clarify information
Summarize
Consensus testing
Seeking information or opinions

15. Have you heard these? “What do you think, so-and-so?”
“Everyone’s opinion counts. Let’s hear everyone out.”
“I agree with so-and-so.”
“I was wrong. I think that’s a better idea.”

16. Maintenance Messages
* Purpose of keeping relationships among the group members harmonious so there is a positive climate in the group.
Harmonizing
Gate keeping
Encouraging
Compromising
Standard setting & testing

17. What factors affect group work?

18. Size of Group
* 5-7
* Vote w/ odd #
* Too large & not everyone can partake

19. Cliques Within a Group
A few people in the group separate from the larger group.

20. Personal Goals of Members
When people have their own agenda (goals) that don’t match the groups.
Examples:
When more than one person wants to be the leader.
When a person wants to be the “funny guy” more than the group’s common goal.

21. Physical Environment
* Temperature
* Visual distractions
* Noise

22. Seating Arrangement
See everyone
Not too close
Comfortable

23. Time for Discussion Best when everyone’s alert.
Before or after lunch isn’t good.
Enough time.
Breaks if meeting
is lengthy.

24. Outcomes of Discussion

25. Outcomes of Discussion
Consensus
All members of the group agree on solution or decision.
Compromise
Each member gives up part of the solution or decision they want.
Majority Vote
Over half of the group favors the solution or decision. (2/3 Vote)
False Consensus
Members keep serious disagreement to themselves & “go along.”

26. Life Cycle of Groups

27. Life Cycle of Groups

28. Forming

29. Forming Like infancy, awkward
Initial coming together: you explain your reason for being in the group, & your hopes
Everyone listens to everyone
Look for leadership
Once similarity of goals and personalities is established you move to the next step… storming.

30. Storming Like adolescence, most difficult
Individuals try to challenge differences of goals and approaches as part of an effort to express their own individuality & to gain power over the group
Leadership may be challenged
Try to create order
Confront & resolve conflict
Once the group begins to resolve conflicts over who is to exert influence and procedures you move to the next step… Norming.

31. Norming The group is a cohesive unit, ready to tackle its task
They trust each other
They’re ready to work
They share leadership & ideas
Once the group begins to trust each other… Performing.

32. Performing Final stage Trust & even affection for each other grows
Strong bond b/c each feels they’re a part of a unique group
The group now can effectively & harmoniously complete their tasks.

33. Handling Conflict in Groups

34. When you get in a conflict follow these steps.
Identify the warrants of the opposition. Warrants are the reasons for your position, not your position.
Explain the warrants of your position.
Respect your opponents’ interests. Don’t attack the person. Respect their opinion.
Work for a reasonable solution, one that both sides like.
Maintain dialogue. Don’t shut off and give up. Keep working it out verbally until a solution or compromise can be met.