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Chapter 2 Small Group Communication Theory This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over network; preparation of any derivative work including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.
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Central issues
Nature of theory and theory building
Practicality of theory to small group and teams
Five theoretical perspectives
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Theory building
Observe a phenomenon
Witness repeated pattern
Develop explanation
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Definition of theory
Way of binding together multitude of facts so that one may comprehend them all at once
Enables us to make reasonably precise predictions that may be termed scientific.
Crucial to the study of small groups
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5. Theory is crucial to study of small group and team communication
Functions of theory
Explanatory
Predictive
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Explanatory Function
Explanation power of good theory helps make sense of processes involved when people interact with others in group.
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Predictive Function
Predictive precision allows people to anticipate probable outcomes of communicative behaviors in group.
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8. Theory informs communicative behavior
Process theories: descriptive
Method theories: prescriptive
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9. Theoretical Perspective
Complexity is pervasive characteristic of small groups
Speech communication is driving force that moves groups towards their goals
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10. Complexity creates uncertainty
When two people communicate at least six
Relationships are involved:
1) who you think you are
2) who you think the other person is
3) who you think the other person thinks you are
4) who the other person thinks s/he is
5) who the other person thinks you are
6) who the other person thinks you think s/he is
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11. Five theories for group
Social exchange
Systems
Symbolic convergence
Structuration theory
Functional theory
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12. Social Exchange Theory
Costs anxiety, mental effort
Rewards pleasurable outcomes =
minus
Profit
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Systems Theory
Openness to environment: interaction & climate
Interdependence: cohesiveness
Input variables: funds, tools, knowledge, purpose, relationships
Process variables: procedures to reach goals
Output variables: decision making to personal growth
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14. Open Systems’ properties
Openness to environment
Interdependence
Input variables
Process variables
Output variables
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15. Symbolic Convergence Theory
Fantasies & stories
shape group’s identity & culture
influence dynamics such as norms, roles & decision making
result in collective consciousness
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Structuration Theory
Rules: implied prescription; learned from previous group encounters
Resources
Interaction
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Functional Theory
Helps conceptualize connections among behaviors and outcomes
Aids in decision making & conflict management
Identifies behaviors that help attain goal
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18. Constellation of Variables
Communication
Leadership
Goals
Norms
Roles
Cohesiveness
Situation
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