Small Group Comm Chapter 10

Phase 4: Reinforcement (Descriptive Approach)

predominates in communication. Unfavorable comments are replaced by uniformly favorable comments and reinforcement. Conflict seems worthwhile

5 key functions of effective problem solving to develop a high-quality solution - Functional Approach (1,2,5 most important)p

1) Develop an accurate understanding of the problem 2)Develop requirements for an acceptable choice(establish criteria-standards for a acceptable solution) 3)Develop many alternatives to solve the problem 4)Assess the positive features of the alternatives or options for solving the problem 5)Assess the negative features of the alternatives or options for solving the problem

Kevin Barge said the following functions are essential for effective group problem-solving

1) Network with others within & outside the group to gather effective info 2) acquire the skill of data splitting - analyzing information effectively 3) generate and evaluate solution 4) manage their relationships effectively by means of listening, feedback, and negation skill

Three types of task-process activities

1) activities that focus on the problem 2) Activities that serve executive functions (such as keeping the discussion oriented and on task) 3) solution activities

A problem consists of three elements:

1) an undesirable existing situation 2) a goal a group wishes to achieve 3) obstacles that keep a group from achieving it's goal

What can group members do to make effective and efficient decisions?

1) use clear criteria; make a decision based on clear standards for a good decision. Have a vision of what the final product will look like 2) Focus on finding high-quality , useful information directly related to the issue at hand rather than gathering a large about of info. just to gather it 3) They break up big issues into smaller manageable issues to discuss.

5) Rationally evaluate the positive and negative consequences of alternatives (Elements of Decision Making)

Effective: Review the pros and cons of the options identified. Ineffective: The group fails to identify both positive and negative effects of possible decisions. Failure to consider consequences

Undesirable existing situation

Something is wrong with the way things are

Obstacle

Something that keeps a group from achieving its goal

(Essential to Problem Solving) Idea-generation function:

An essential aspect of a well-functioning problem-solving group is group members who are creative and inventive, who find ways to keep ideas flowing. -They search for many alternatives or solutions to a problem -They make high-quality statements to the group -They take a vacation from a problem to revitalize the group

(Essential to Problem Solving) Evaluation function:

Being able to separate good ideas from bad ideas is a critical function of group members who are good problem solvers -They examine the pros and cons of potential solutions -They evaluate the opinions and assumptions of others -They test solutions to see if they meet reestablished criteria

Lack of resources (10 Communication Barriers)

Sometimes groups had to meet in an inadequate physical space or just didn't have all the info. and technical support to get the job done

3) Topical focus activities - Multisequence Model

Deal w/the "general themes, major issues, or arguments of concern to the group at a given point in the discussion." Deals with topics that do not relate to a group's specific task or to member relationships

Majority Rule

Decision is made by the majority of group members -Advantages: Often perceived as a fair way of making decisions, can be an efficient way of making decision -Disadvantages: Those who do not support the majority opinion may feel left out of the process, group may lose cohesiveness

What strategies can bridge cultural differences?

Develop mindfulness, be flexible, tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity, resist stereotyping and making negative judgments about others, ask questions

Phase 1: Orientation (Descriptive Approach)

Suggests that group members' communication is directed at orienting themselves toward others as well as to the group's task. breaking the ice

1) Analyze the decision to be made (Elements of Decision Making)

Effective: The group assesses the Present Situation Ineffective: The group fails to analyze the present situation accurately. ex) too little evidence. Need to have accurate reasoning

4) Group members identify multiple options. (Elements of Decision Making)

Effective: The group identifies several decision alternatives . More options: better decisions Ineffective: The group makes a decision based on one or two options.

3) Identify and clarify the goals of the decision (Elements of Decision Making)

Effective: The group identifies what it wants to accomplish. Identify its objectives. Ineffective: The group fails to establish clear and appropriate goals.

2) Involve all members seeking information (Elements of Decision Making)

Effective: The group seeks input from each member. Ineffective: Too few people are involved in the discussion. ex) if several members dominate the convo then decision quality suffers.

6) After analyzing the data and options, the group makes a decision (Elements of Decision Making)

Effective: The group selects the best alternative. Ineffective: The group makes a poor decision, overly risky decision or no decision.

Punctuated Equilibrium Model

Group can't decide what to do and inertia darts. Nothing happens. Halfway through the group deliberation a "breakpoint" punctuates the equilibrium. 2nd Inertia phase- a phase when he group seems to stop and then move on before accomplishing a task. Usually happens in a group with a time structure.

Vigilant Thinkers

Group communicators who incorporate these functions into their interactions with others. Critical thinkers who pay attention to the process of problem solving.

Decision by Minority

Group decides to support a position advocated by a a vocal minority of group members -Advantages: Decision is made by those who feel most passionate about the outcome, helps to avoid groupthink by acknowledging opposing points of view -Disadvantages: The majority of group members may feel disenfranchised from the decision, Group decision may be difficult to implement because the majority of group members do not support the outcome

Decision by Expert Outside Group

Group defers to someone outside the group with authority to make decisions -Advantages: decisions are made quickly, uses the expertise of a knowledgeable source of info. -Disadvantages: group members may not be satisfy with the decision, the expert could be wrong

Decision by Expert in Group

Group defers to the member who has the most expertise or experience. -Advantages: decisions are made quickly, uses the expertise of a knowledgeable source of info. -Disadvantages: group members may not be satisfy with the decision, the expert could be wrong

Random Choice

Group members flip a coin or use a similar technique so they can move forward -Advantages: Easy and Fast -Disadvantages: More likely to result in an ineffective outcome cause group members have not discussed the issues thoroughly, suggest that the group does not care about making a high-quality decision

Lack of planning (10 Communication Barriers)

Group members often weren't prepared or were unsure what the focus of the group was supposed to be

Averaging Individual Rankings or Ratings

Group members rank or rate possible outcomes, and the alternative with the highest ranking or best ranting is selected -Advantages: Uses a democratic process that taps all grip members' thinking, useful when the group needs to assess where it stands on an issue -Disadvantages: The average ranking or rating may be an alternative that no group member supports, group loses the opportunity for give-and-take discussion

Unsupportive Social Climate (10 Communication Barriers)

Group members sometimes did not feel they were cohesively working together, and they could not support or trust one another.

Lack of problem-solving skill (10 Communication Barriers)

Group members tended to focus on the solution before defining the problem, or there seas a lack of balanced participation

Lack of Structure (10 Communication Barriers)

Group members wanted specific methods to help their group function more efficiently.

(Essential to Problem Solving) Analysis function:

Group members who effectively analyze information and ideas to: -Establish clear criteria -They see the problem from a variety of viewpoints -they gather data and research issues -they use evidence effectively to reach a valid conclusion - they ask appropriate questions

Multisequence Model

Groups and teams may be doing several things at once rather than cycling through predictable phases. 3 types of activities best describe group interaction- task-process activities, relational activities, topical focus activities

Time pressure (10 Communication Barriers)

Groups felt pressured to achieve immediate results and to tell those in authority what they wanted to hear

1) Task-process activities -Multisequence Model

Help the group accomplish it's work, such as analyzing a problem, becoming oriented to the components of a problem, establishing criteria, and evaluating proposed solutions. "What is the problem?" "How can we better understand the problem" "How effective will our solution be?"

Spiraling Model (Descriptive Approach)

Suggests that groups may not march through 4 phases but rather cycle, or spiral, through them throughout the group or team's development. Ex) members might get bogged down and turn to a different issue

HALT

Hungry, angry, lonely, or tired

Activity tracks

In the multi sequence model there are 3 types of activity tracks that do not follow step by step patters and they best describe group intereaction

Functional Approach

It describes what happens when groups communicate, whether the interaction involves going through phases, spirals, or sequences. Emphasizes that members perform certain task requirements (functions) when they communicate with one another. Assumes groups are goal-oriented and to accomplish the group goal, certain activities or communication functions need to be performed.

2) Relational activities - Multisequence Model

Manage relationships and help maintain the group climate. ex) verbal or nonverbal communication that indicates who likes and dislikes whom can be relational actives. Relational activities are communication behaviors that sustain or damage interpersonal relationships among group members. affect climate

Poor communication (10 Communication Barriers)

Misunderstandings, inattentiveness, and dominance by one group member or a faction of members within the group were cited as reasons for ineffective communication

Phase 3: Emergence (Descriptive Approach)

New patters of communication indicate a group's emergence from the conflict phase. What sets this phase apart is the way in which members deal with conflict. The shift is most apparent in the reappearance of ambiguity in task-related statements. The members often listen to the experts during this phase and try to shift their positions toward group consensus.

Prescriptive approach

Offers specific do's and don'ts for structuring a group's problem-solving agenda. Invite group members perform certain behaviors in a specific order to achieve a group goal. "guidelines, a road map, to assist the group in achieving consensus. based on an assumed 'ideal' process"1) group members are consistently rational 2) Prescribed agenda or set of techniques will result in a better solution

(Essential to Problem Solving) Personal-sensitivity function:

Other-oriented, empathic, sensitive to the needs of others, and thoughtful listeners -Concerned for both the group task and the feelings of others -They listen to minority arguments and opinions

Phase 2: Conflict (Descriptive Approach)

Secondary tension and conflict can occur. Members begin to assess the opinions that they formed in the first phase. They are ready to jump in and compete for status within the group.

Lack of cultural Sensitivity (10 Communication Barriers)

Some group members were put off by biases, prejudice, sexist comments, and the failure of some to take cultural differences into account when interacting with others

Negative Attitudes (10 Communication Barriers)

Some group members weren't flexible, were unwilling to compromise about procedures, or had unrealistic expectations about the group.

Wrong People Present (10 Communication Barriers)

The key people wight he authority or information weren't involved in the discussion

The functional approach to problem solving:

This approach identifies key task requirements and stresses the importance of effective communication as major factors that contribute to effective problem solving (assumes that a group will make a higher-quality decision if group members analyze information appropriately, generate an ample number of ideas, evaluate information and solutions, and remain sensitive to others)

The prescriptive approach to problem solving:

This approach identifies the specific agendas and techniques to improve group problem-solving performance.

Descriptive approach to problem solving:

This approach identifies the typical patterns of communication that occur when people interact to solve problems. 1) There is a "natural" or normal, process of group problem solving 2) a group will follow a normal problem-solving approach unless some external authority interferes with its freedom to solve its problem. Shows how groups DO solve problems not how they SHOULD

Decision by Consensus

Through discussion, group members reach a decision that all members can support -Advantages: group members are more likely to be satisfied with the outcome, grip members are more likely to participate in implementing a decision that all members support -Disadvantages: takes time, takes skill

Goal

What the group wants to achieve

Specific relational activities

a) discussion about work-focused relationships b) discussion that manages conflict c) integration talk (connecting one person's ideas to those of others) d) discussion about ambiguous relationships (expressing uncertainty about relationships)

Conflict phase

characterized by persuasive attempts at changing others' opinions and reinforcing one's own position. Conflict is necessary to both the task and the process dimensions of small group communication.

Primary tension

occurs when group members are uncertain how to behave and feel somewhat awkward about what to do or say

Almost every problem can be phrased in terms of:

something you want more or less of. ex) lack of time, money,info. or agreement.

Dialectal theory (Descriptive Approach)

suggests that during communication there are often competing tensions pulling the conversation into multiple directions. Ex) groups like stability and want to predict what will happen cause group members like familiar patterns. But groups often expect change. Ex) team vs. individual and structure vs. interaction are dialectal tensions

Secondary tension

the jockeying for leadership, power, and position in a group during Phase 2

Decision Making

the process of choosing from among several alternatives.

Problem solving

the process of overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal. Requires a group to make many decisions or choices as it identifies a problem and determines how to solve it. Allows a group to eliminate or manage the obstacles that keep it from achieving its objective.