Chapter 8 and 13

Characteristics of Small Groups:

different groups have different characteristics, serve different purposes, and can lead to positive, neutral, or negative experiences.

Synergy:

refers to the potential for gains in performance or heightened quality of interactions when complementary members or member characteristics are added to existing ones.

Norming stage:

the practices and expectations (norms and rules) of the group are solidified, which leads to more stability, productivity, and cohesion within the group

Disadvantages of Small Group:

- The interdependence of group members that we discussed earlier can also create some disadvantages. Group members may take advantage of the anonymity of a group and engage in social loafing, meaning they contribute less to the group than other members or than they would if working alone. Social loafers expect that no one will notice their behaviors or that others will pick up their slack -It is this potential for social loafing that makes many students and professionals dread group work,

Size of Small Groups:

-a small group requires a minimum of three people (because two people would be a pair or a dyad), but the upper range of group size is contingent on the purpose of the group. -a small group will be 3-9 people for the purposes of this class.

Storming stage:

-conflict emerges as group members begin to perform their various roles, have their ideas heard, and negotiate where they fit in the group's structure. -Conflict is inevitable and important as a part of group development and can be productive if it is managed properly.

Relational-oriented groups:

-Formed to promote interpersonal connections and are more focused on quality interactions that contribute to the well-being of group members. -Decision making is directed at strengthening or repairing relationships rather than completing discrete tasks or debating specific ideas or courses of action. -All groups include task and relational elements, so it's best to think of these orientations as two ends of a continuum rather than as mutually exclusive. --Ex: family unit works together daily to accomplish tasks like getting the kids ready for school. --Ex: friendship groups may plan a surprise party for one of the members, their primary and most meaningful interactions are still relational

Groups Meet interpersonal needs

-Group membership meets interpersonal needs by giving us access to inclusion, control, and support. - In terms of inclusion, people have a fundamental drive to be a part of a group and to create and maintain social bonds. -As we've learned, humans have always lived and worked in small groups. Family and friendship groups, shared-interest groups, and activity groups all provide us with a sense of belonging and being included in an in-group. -People also join groups because they want to have some control over a decision-making process or to influence the outcome of a group. - Being a part of a group allows people to share opinions and influence others. -Some groups, like therapy groups for survivors of sexual assault or support groups for people with cancer, exist primarily to provide emotional support.

Group Meet Instrumental Needs:

-Groups have long served the instrumental needs of humans, helping with the most basic elements of survival since ancient humans first evolved. -Groups helped humans survive by providing security and protection through increased numbers and access to resources. -Today, groups are rarely such a matter of life and death, but they still serve important instrumental functions -Individual group members must also work to secure the instrumental needs of the group, creating a reciprocal relationship

Group Meets Identity Needs

-Our affiliations are building blocks for our identities, because group membership allows us to use reference groups for social comparison—in short, identifying us with some groups and characteristics and separating us from others. -Some people join groups to be affiliated with people who share similar or desirable characteristics in terms of beliefs, attitudes, values, or cultural identities. -People may join the National Organization for Women because they want to affiliate with others who support women's rights or a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) because they want to affiliate with African Americans, people concerned with civil rights, or a combination of the two. -Religious groups (prayer groups)

Primary groups:

-Our family and friends, or long-lasting groups that are formed based on relationships and include significant others. -These are the small groups in which we interact most frequently. They form the basis of our society and our individual social realities. -Kinship networks provide important support early in life and meet physiological and safety needs, which are essential for survival.

Forming stage:

-group members engage in socially polite exchanges to help reduce uncertainty and gain familiarity with new members. -They lay the groundwork for cohesion and other group dynamics that will play out more prominently in later stages.

Advantages of Small Group:

-include shared decision making, shared resources, synergy, and exposure to diversity. It is within small groups that most of the decisions that guide our country, introduce local laws, and influence our family interactions are made. - Participating in groups can also increase our exposure to diversity and broaden our perspectives. - Although groups vary in the diversity of their members, we can strategically choose groups that expand our diversity, or we can unintentionally end up in a diverse group. -When we participate in small groups, we expand our social networks, which increase the possibility to interact with people who have different cultural identities than ourselves -Group communication also presents interpersonal challenges. A common problem is coordinating and planning group meetings due to busy and conflicting schedules.

Secondary Groups:

-which are characterized by less frequent face-to-face interactions, less emotional and relational communication, and more task-related communication than primary group. - While we are more likely to participate in secondary groups based on self-interest, our primary-group interactions are often more reciprocal or other oriented. -For example, we may join groups because of a shared interest or need.

What are the three main types of tasks?

1. production 2. discussion 3. problem solving

Teams:

Are task-oriented groups in which members especially loyal and dedicated to the task and other group members. In professional and civic contexts, the word team has become popularized as a means of drawing on the positive connotations of the term-connotations such as "spirited", "cooperative" and hardworking."

Small Group Communication:

Refers to interactions among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, or shared identity. Small groups are important communication units in academic, professional, civic, and personal contexts.

Adjourning stage:

a group dissolves because its purpose has been met, because membership has declined or the group has lost support, or due to some other internal or external cause.

Task-oriented groups:

formed to solve a problem, promote a cause, or generate ideas or information. -In such groups, like a committee or study group, interactions and decisions are primarily evaluated based on the quality of the final product or output.

Performing Stage:

group members work relatively smoothly toward the completion of a task or the achievement of their purpose, ideally capitalizing on the synergy that comes from the diverse experiences group members bring to the decision-making process.