Comm 3411: Intro to Small Group Communication

-3-12 people - Share a common purpose or goal - Feel sense of belonging - Exert influence on one another

-Team goals are clear and specific -Teams have clearly defined team member responsibilities -Rules/expectations are clearly spelled out -Teams develop a clear way of coordinating efforts

a. Clear goal b. Good structure c. Competent members d. Unified commitment e. Collaborative climate f. Standards of excellence g. External support/recognition h. Principled leadership

More information Stimulate creativity Remember discussion More satisfied with decision Better self understanding

Pressure to conform : groupthink Individual may dominate discussion Members rely on others to do work – Social loafing Takes more time

Fulfill basic needs to associate with others Family Friends

Problem solving Study groups Therapy groups Committees Focus groups

Define problem Analyze problem Identify criteria Generate solutions Evaluate solutions Maintain task focus Manage interaction Manage conflict Maintain climate

Observe a phenomenon Witness repeated pattern Develop explanation

Way of binding together multitude of facts so that one may comprehend them all at once

Use theory to explain occurrences Make predictions about things that might occur in future

When rewards outweigh the costs, the person will do it

Openness to environment: interaction and climate Interdependence: cohesiveness Input variables: funds, tools, knowledge, purpose, relationships Process variables: procedures to reach goals Output variables: decision making to personal growth

-shape group identity/ culture -influence dynamics à norms, roles, decision making - result in collective consciousness

Use previous experience to make rules for future groups