Essentials of Human
Communication, 6/e
Chapter Eight:
Small Group
Communication
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Chapter Eight Goals
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Communicate in groups with an
understanding of the unique nature of
the small group
Brainstorm more creatively and
effectively
Learn and teach in groups more
effectively
Solve or manage problems more
efficiently and effectively
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Small Group Characteristics
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Small number—usually
5–12 related individuals
Share a common
purpose
Connected by
organizing rules
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The Purposes of Small Groups
Social/Relational
Serves to reinforce
affiliation,
affirmation, and
affection needs of
people
Tasks/Projects
Groups are created
to accomplish
tasks, solve
specific
problems, and
are dissolved
once the goal is
completed
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Small Group Stages
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Opening
Feedforward
Business
Feedback
Closing
Emphasis shifts from
people to task to people
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Small Group Formats
Round Table
Panel
Symposium
Symposium-
Forum
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Small Group Channels
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Face-to-face
Online
 Mail lists
 E-mail
 Instant chat or
messaging
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Small Group Cultures
•
Implicit and explicit norms
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Individual and group norms often differ
according to local cultures and subcultures
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Group norms are more acceptable when
one feels a sense of belongingness to the
group and members appear cohesive
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Small Group Apprehension
 Dependent upon the nature of group and task
 Affected by membership and make-up of
group
 Belongingness directly affects a person’s
willingness and ability to contribute
 Individual communication apprehension can
influence member interaction
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Small Group Brainstorming
“An activity of idea generation,
analysis, and problem-solution processing”
Rules
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No evaluations in early stages
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Quantity, not quality, is goal
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Combinations and extensions of ideas are encouraged
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Freewheeling thought is desired
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After a set period of brainstorming time, ideas are then
evaluated according to relevance, workability
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Information Sharing Groups
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Educational/Learning
Groups: Acquire new
skills and knowledge
Focus Groups: Indepth interviewing with a
small population of
people
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Problem Solving Groups
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Meet to solve particular
problems or make a
decision about some
issue
Members must possess
knowledge about the
problem
Members must adhere to
a set of norms,
expectations
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John Dewey’s
Problem Solving Sequence
Define and analyze
the problem
 Establish criteria for
evaluating solutions
 Identify solutions
 Evaluate solutions
 Select best solution
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Primary Decision Making Methods
Authority
Majority
Consensus
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Putting Solutions to the Test
Poll Affected Persons
Analyze early results
 If effective, maintain the
course
 If ineffective, return to problem
solving process
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Problem Solving at Work
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Nominal Group Technique—limited
discussion, secret ballot
Delphi method—numerous
questionnaires sent to field experts,
returned completed, each narrowing to
solution(s)
Quality Circles—utilizing workers to
investigate and improve organizational
functions of environment, procedures
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008