• What is the difference between a group & a crowd?
• Group- Consists of people who communicate with each other over time and share an interest in the same things or share a common purpose
• Groups may be formal or informal
• Purpose of group may be social, task, or a combination of social & task

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 Group norms- Standards for behavior within a group; how you are expected to interact
 Whether it’s okay to arrive early or late, how hard to work, how to act or dress, whether taking a break is acceptable or not, when and how to disagree, what topics are acceptable to discuss, how much to divulge about personal life, etc.

 Group size: Researchers have found ideal group size is 5-7 members
 Cohesion- When members have respect for one another, share same values, and look to one another for support; when they all want to achieve the same goal

Cooperative exchange of information, opinions, and ideas
 Types of Group Discussion:
 Panel- informal discussion that takes place before an audience; designed to help audience become more familiar with issues
 Symposium- more formal; present opposing points of view; invited experts deliver short speeches on particular issues
 Town Hall Meeting- members of the community discuss issues and usually vote for solutions

Leadership functions: any kind of behavior that helps the group toward its goal (could be one or more members of a group who fulfill these roles; group can have effective leadership even without an official leader)

 Good grasp of problem (well-informed)
 Familiar with group process- can organize
(provide direction & structure)
 Open-minded (consultant rather than boss)
 Self-disciplined, respectful, empathetic
 Good speaker (skillful communicator)
 Can formulate goals & ideas for both group and self
 Share rewards and give group credit
(believe in teamwork)
 Good planner
 Able to adapt to meet needs of group

 Appointed
 Elected
 Emerging
 Shared

Procedural matters
 State topic
 Call on individuals
 Request specific info.
 Open and close meeting
Interpersonal or climate matters
 Promote group cohesiveness
 Encourage members to respect one another
 Help members get to know one another

 Laissez-faire: advises if called upon; observes, records; does not direct
 Authoritarian: strongly directs; very goal-oriented
& opinionated
 Democratic : guides; receptive to members’ suggestions; leaves decisions up to group

 Initiator- Proposes new ideas, goals, procedures, methods, solutions
 Information seeker- Asks for facts, clarification, or information from other members
 Information giver- Offers facts and information, personal experiences, and evidence

Group Roles
 Opinion seeker- Draws out opinions of others
 Opinion giver- States own belief or opinion; expresses a judgment
 Clarifier- Elaborates on ideas expressed by another, often by giving an example, explanation, or illustration

Group Roles
 Coordinator- Clarifies relationships among facts, ideas, and suggestions; suggests an integration of ideas and activities of two or more group members
 Orienter- Makes sure the group is focused on purpose or goal, defines position of the group, summarizes or suggests the direction of the discussion
 Energizer- Prods the group to greater activity or to a decision; stimulates activity; warns the group to act while there is still time

Group Roles
 Procedure developer- Offers suggestions for accomplishing ideas of others, or handles such tasks as seating arrangements, setting up the computer, handing out papers, running copies, etc.
 Recorder- Keeps written record; serves as group’s “memory”
 Supporter- Praises, agrees, indicates warmth and solidarity with others or goes along with them

Group Roles
 Harmonizer- Mediates differences between others
 Tension reliever- Jokes or brings out humor in a situation, reduces formality and status differences, relaxes others
 Gatekeeper- Opens channels of communication, brings in members who otherwise might not speak; sees that everyone has a fair chance to be heard

Group Roles
 Blocker- Constantly raises objections, insists nothing can be done, repeatedly brings up the same topic after the rest of the group has disposed of it
 Aggressor- Deflates status of others, expresses disapproval, jokes at the expense of others, expresses ill will or envy
 Recognition seeker- Boasts, calls attention to self, relates irrelevant personal experiences, seeks sympathy or pity
 Dominator- Tries to run the group by giving directions, ordering, and interrupting; insists on his or her own way
 Observer- Part of the group but only watches; not an active participant
 Isolate- Does not participate; may not want to be part of the group