Small Group
Communication
Why Should You Learn About Small
Groups?

To meet needs

Groups are everywhere

To learn a highly valued skill

To become an effective group member

To participate in the democratic process
What is Small-Group Communication?
The interaction between three to nine
people who are working together to
achieve an interdependent goal
The Types and Functions of Small
Groups

Task-oriented groups – completing tasks
– Secondary groups

Relationship-oriented groups –
inclusion/affection
– Primary groups

Assigned groups – appointed hierarchy

Emergent groups – environmental
conditions
What is Leadership?
A process of using communication to
influence the behaviors and attitudes
of others to meet group goals
The Role of Leadership in Small Groups

Types of Small Group Leaders
– Designated leaders - appointed
– Emergent leaders - environmental
The Role of Leadership in Small Groups

Power and Group Leadership
– Distributive power - leader
– Integrative power interdependence
– Designated power - relational

Sources of Power
–
–
–
–
–
Reward
Punishment – withhold needs
Coercion – hostile tactics
Referent - loyalty
Expert power - knowledge
Theoretical Approaches to Group Leadership
 Style
Approaches
– Democratic leaders
– Laissez-faire leaders
– Autocratic leaders

Contingency Approaches
– Different contingencies (situations) require
different leadership styles
Theoretical Approaches to Group Leadership

Communication Competencies Approach
– What do effective leaders do?

The Distributed Leadership Approach
– Each member is expected to help the group
move forward
Establishing Culture in Small Groups

Group Norms
– Informal rules for interaction

Role Structure
– Formal (positional) and informal (behavioral) roles
– Behavioral functions
 Task functions
 Maintenance functions
 Self-centered functions
Establishing Culture in Small Groups

Group Cohesiveness
– Trust, supportiveness, cohesiveness
– Groupthink

Diversity and Cognitive Paradigms
– Observable diversity (physical characteristics)
– Implicit diversity (worldview)
Problem Solving and Decision Making
 Characteristics
Solving
of Group Problem
– 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
Problem Solving and Decision Making
 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)
Problem Solving and Decision Making
– Identifying alternatives
 Brainstorming
– Evaluating alternatives
The Functions of Groups in a New Era

Making decisions

Effecting change

Negotiating conflict

Fostering creativity

Maintaining ties to stakeholders
Technology and Group
Communication Processes
 Group
Decision Support System
(GDSS)
– Brainstorming
– Evaluation of alternatives
– Anonymous
– Efficient
How Should You Communicate in
Small Groups?

Relate your statements to preceding
remarks

Use conventional word arrangements

Speak concisely

State one point at a time
Being an Ethical Group Member

Be trustworthy and supportive

Be honest and truthful

Be thorough and unbiased when
evaluating information

Behave with integrity

Manage group conflict ethically

Questions?

Comments from TAs

Head to recitation.