1. Small Group Communication

2. Why Should You Learn About Small Groups? To meet needs To meet needs Groups are everywhere Groups are everywhere To learn a highly valued skill To learn a highly valued skill To become an effective group member To become an effective group member To participate in the democratic process To participate in the democratic process

3. What is Small-Group Communication? The interaction between three to nine people who are working together to achieve an interdependent goal

4. The Types and Functions of Small Groups Task-oriented groups – completing tasks Task-oriented groups – completing tasks –Secondary groups Relationship-oriented groups – inclusion/affection Relationship-oriented groups – inclusion/affection –Primary groups Assigned groups – appointed hierarchy Assigned groups – appointed hierarchy Emergent groups – environmental conditions Emergent groups – environmental conditions

5. What is Leadership? A process of using communication to influence the behaviors and attitudes of others to meet group goals

6. The Role of Leadership in Small Groups Types of Small Group Leaders Types of Small Group Leaders –Designated leaders - appointed –Emergent leaders - environmental

7. The Role of Leadership in Small Groups Power and Group Leadership Power and Group Leadership –Distributive power - leader –Integrative power - interdependence –Designated power - relational Sources of Power Sources of Power –Reward –Punishment – withhold needs –Coercion – hostile tactics –Referent - loyalty –Expert power - knowledge

8. Theoretical Approaches to Group Leadership Style Approaches Style Approaches –Democratic leaders –Laissez-faire leaders –Autocratic leaders Contingency Approaches Contingency Approaches –Different contingencies (situations) require different leadership styles

9. Theoretical Approaches to Group Leadership Communication Competencies Approach Communication Competencies Approach –What do effective leaders do? The Distributed Leadership Approach The Distributed Leadership Approach –Each member is expected to help the group move forward

10. Establishing Culture in Small Groups Group Norms Group Norms –Informal rules for interaction Role Structure Role Structure –Formal (positional) and informal (behavioral) roles –Behavioral functions  Task functions  Maintenance functions  Self-centered functions

11. Establishing Culture in Small Groups Group Cohesiveness Group Cohesiveness –Trust, supportiveness, cohesiveness –Groupthink Diversity and Cognitive Paradigms Diversity and Cognitive Paradigms –Observable diversity (physical characteristics) –Implicit diversity (worldview)

12. Problem Solving and Decision Making Characteristics of Group Problem Solving Characteristics of Group Problem Solving –Multiple perspectives –Takes longer –Well suited for conjunctive tasks (all members have some info, no one has all) –More effective when the process is systematic and organized

13. Problem Solving and Decision Making Effective Group Problem Solving Effective Group Problem Solving –Wording the discussion question  Is it a question of fact, value, or policy?  Is it stated clearly?  Is it measurable?  Does it focus on the problem? –Discussing criteria for judging solutions  Absolute criteria (must be met)  Important criteria (should be met)

14. Problem Solving and Decision Making –Identifying alternatives  Brainstorming –Evaluating alternatives

15. The Functions of Groups in a New Era Making decisions Making decisions Effecting change Effecting change Negotiating conflict Negotiating conflict Fostering creativity Fostering creativity Maintaining ties to stakeholders Maintaining ties to stakeholders

16. Technology and Group Communication Processes Group Decision Support System (GDSS) Group Decision Support System (GDSS) –Brainstorming –Evaluation of alternatives –Anonymous –Efficient

17. How Should You Communicate in Small Groups? Relate your statements to preceding remarks Relate your statements to preceding remarks Use conventional word arrangements Use conventional word arrangements Speak concisely Speak concisely State one point at a time State one point at a time

18. Being an Ethical Group Member Be trustworthy and supportive Be trustworthy and supportive Be honest and truthful Be honest and truthful Be thorough and unbiased when evaluating information Be thorough and unbiased when evaluating information Behave with integrity Behave with integrity Manage group conflict ethically Manage group conflict ethically

19. Questions? Questions? Comments from TAs Comments from TAs Head to recitation. Head to recitation.