Question | Answer |
Group Communication | (blank) |
communication | a transaction between and among people, whereby all parties are continually and simultaneously sending and receiving information. |
small group | a collections of at least three and ordinarily fewer than 20 individuals, who are interdependent, influence each other over some period of time, share a common goal or purpose, assume specialized roles, have a sense of mutual belonging, maintain norms |
and standards for group membership, and engage in interactive communication. | (blank) |
Small Group Communication | the transactional process of using symbolic behavior to acheive shared meaning among group members over a period of time. |
Three Key Concepts in defining small group communication | 1. tranactional process 2. symbolic behavior 3. shared meaning |
Three major influences contributing to interpersonal attraction: | physical proximity, attitude similarity, and need complementarity |
Physical Proximity | refers to amount of interaction with other group members in the same physical location. |
Attitude Similarity | similar views |
Need Complementarity | Ones needs complements the others. leader and person looking for a leader |
Three Characteristics of small groups | interdepence and interactivity (the number of possible interactions among group members and the possibility of synergy in the groups efforts and results. |
Synergy -an advantage to working in small groups | "working together" -defined as the action of two or more...to achieve an effect of which each is individually incapable. |
Complex group transactions involve three elements: | substance, pattern, process |
substance (content) | the issues around which the group is formed and communicates. |
Pattern (relationships) | consists of relationships and interactions between the group members. |
Process (action) | is the intermediary action between the substance and the pattern |
Types of Groups | primary group, social and casual group, educational group, therapeutic group, decision-making/problem-solving group,standing commitees, ad hoc commitees, work groups, quality circles and self-managing work groups, conference groups, mediated communication |
groups, | (blank) |
Primary Group | basic social unit to which we belong (family) |
Social/Casual Group | extend primar-group relationships (sports teams, discussion groups, school, or church groups, leisure activities, and other special-interest or activity groups. |
Educational/Learning Groups | concerned primarily with discovering and developing new ideas and ways of thinking. (educational courses, seminars or enlightenment groups) |
Therapeutic Group | extension of learning group/members come together to learn about themselves and their relationships with others. (support, therapy, consciousness-raising groups) |
Decision Making/Problem-Solving Group | for the express purpose of making a decision, solving a problem, or dealing with specific issues. |
Standing Committee | exists for an enduring period of time or as ad hoc committees. |
ad hoc committee | intended to accomplish a specific task rapidly and to be disbanded with the task is completed. |
Work Groups | type of problem-solving group. |
Quality Circles/self-managing work groups | two specialized examples of work groups. goal is to increase the quality and performance effectiveness of their groups. |
Conference Groups | are formed with representatives from several different groups. Their meetings provide vital information-sharing and coordinating opportunities. |
mediated communication group | extension or conference groups-made possible by the use of email, computers, teleconferencing, etc. |
**NOTE** | Our membership in social and casual groups may be solely for companionship, or we may use these affiliations to help us understand and deal with importand issues in our lives or to develop professional, personal, or social roles, and skills. |