COMM 331
Review for final
Communication Competence
Groups
• Groups: “A collection of more than two
persons who perceive themselves as a group,
possess a common fate, have organizational
structure, and communicate over time to
achieve personal and group goals.” John Baird
Group Theory
• A theory is a way to understand, explain,
control or predict a phenomenon.
• Systems Theory
• Onion Model of cultural
• Critical theory/feminist theory
Systems Theory
Systems Theory
Onion Model of Culture
Research and the Basics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Qualitative
Quantitative
Theory: Understand, explain, control, predict
Inductive/Deductive
Qualitative Research methods
Continuity Binder/Documents
Google Drive
Critical Theory
Critical Theory: Focuses attention on studies of
power and abuses of power through
communication and organization
Hegemony: Process of control based on
dominant group leading others to believe that
their subordination is the norm
Group Roles & Group Leadership
Types of Group Roles
• The Power of Roles
• Types of Roles
• Role Emergence
• Role Fixation
Types of Roles
• Formal
• Informal Roles
– Task
– Maintenance
– Disruptive Roles (Self-Centered Roles)
Task Roles
Maintenance
Disruptive Roles
Leaders vs. Managers
• a leader does not ordinarily operate from
positional authority; a manager does .
• leaders work to change the status quo;
managers typically maintain it.
• Leadership implies change because influence
inherently means change—a change in
attitude, belief, or behavior.
Perspectives on Effective
Leadership: An Evolving View
• Traits Perspective: The Born Leader View
• Styles Perspective: One Style Doesn’t Fit All
• Situational (Contingency) Perspective:
Matching Styles with Circumstances
• Functional Perspective: Leadership
Responsibilities
Styles Perspective on
Leadership
• Autocratic
• Democratic
• Laissez-fair
Ethical Leadership
Leader as Servant
The Standard Agenda: Structuring
Group Discussion
•
•
•
•
•
Problem Identification: What’s the Question?
Problem Analysis: Causes and Effects
Solution Criteria: Setting Standards
Solution Suggestions: Generating Alternatives
Solution Evaluation and Selection: Deciding by
Criteria
• Solution Implementation: Follow Through
Group Decision-Making
•
•
•
•
Majority Rule: Tyrannical or
Practical
Minority Rule: Several Types
Unanimity Rule: Consensus
Power
• Power: The ability to do, the ability to
influence
• Forms of Power
• Power imbalances
Forms of Power
Power Imbalances
1. Compliance: Group Power
Conforming vs. Obedience
2. Alliance: Coalition Formation
3. Resistance: Dragging Your Feet
4. Defiance: Digging in Your Heels
5. Significance: Self-Empowerment
Resistance
Self-Improvement
• Being Assertive DESC
– Describe
– Explain
– Specify
– Consequence
Conflict Management