com 101 ch 9 small groups

group vs. team

"a team is is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, set of performance goals, and an approach for which hold themselves ***mutually accountable**" team= more concerned about teams goals/ appearence group= more concerned about individual performances

groupthink

a negative group process characterized "excessive concurrent thinking" --too isolated, too similar

information/opinion seeker

asks for information or opinions

aggressor

attacks other group members

nominal group techniques

brainstorm individually first make a collective list everyone rank all options

bad apples

dealing with them 1) make certain a coorporate climate has been made 2)dont encourage disruptive behavior 3)confront the difficult person directly

small group communication

dyad, together, sharing meaning. 3 to 20 people. 5 to 7 is the most productive amount communication between small group of people who share a common purpose and who are interdependent

gatekeeper

encourages less talkative group members to participate

individual roles

focus on individual needs and interests

task communication role

focuses on getting the job done and solving problems

blocker

generally negative and stubborn for no apparent reason

transformational leadership theory

group members are empowered to work individually high ethical standard loyal

relational communication role

helps establish groups social atmosphere

the advantages of working in small groups

higher quality decisions stimulates creativity social facilitation promotes critical thinking

style theory

how a person acts can determine how successful they are

recorder

keeps record of group activities and progress

joker

lacks involvement and distracts the group by telling jokes

trait theory

leaders are born physical and personality

harmonizer

mediates disagreement among group

secondary groups

meet principally to solve problems

energizer

motivates group members to great productivity

decision making process

phase1)orientation and primary tension phase2)conflict and secondary tension phase3)emergence phase4)reinforcement

initiator/ contributor

proposes new ideas

primary groups

provide members with a sense of belonging and affection

information/opinion giver

provides facts examples and opinions

servant leadership theory

seeks to ensure that ones needs are being met listening

orienter

summarizes what has been discussed and keeps focused

disadvantages of working in small groups

takes more time can facilitate dominators teamwork has its limits

functional theory

the leadership theory that believes leadership behaviors can be learned

expediter

tries to limit lengthy contributions

self confessor

uses the group as an audience to report non group related problems