Com 240 midterm

Chapter 2: Groups as a system

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Chapter 3: Group Development

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Chapter 4: Developing the Group Climate

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Chapter 5: Roles and Leadership in groups

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Concept #3 What's the difference between competitive and noncompetitive listening?

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The 4 myths about communication and what they mean.

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What are the 4 C's of developing team goals?

A Team is a small number of people with complementary skills who: 1.Act as an interdependent unit 2.Are equally committed to a common mission 3.Subscribe to a cooperative approach to accomplish that mission 4.Hold themselves accountable for team performance

What is the difference between formal and informal roles? What are the different types of informal roles?

A formal role is a position assigned by an organization or specifically designated by the group leader. An informal role emerges from group transactions, and it emphasizes functions, not positions. There are 3 types of informal roles: Task, maintenance, and self-centered.

What is the difference between groups and norms?

A group is a human communication system composed of three or more individuals, interacting for the achievement of some common goal(s), who influence and are influenced by each other. A norm are broad rules that designate appropriate behavior for all group members, while role stipulates specific behaviors that are expected for individual group members. So norms ares the broad rules places inside of groups.

How do we define a group?

A group is a human communication system composed of three or more individuals, interacting for the achievement of some common goal(s), who influence and are influenced by each other. A group is different from a mere collection of individuals, called an aggregation. To be called a group, a collection of individuals must succeed or fail as a unit in a quest to achieve a common goal(s).

Concept #1 What does it mean to have a positive group climate? Negative?

A positive climate exists when individuals perceive they are valued, supported, and treated well by the group A negative climate exists when group members do not feel valued, supported, and respected, when trust is minimal, and when members perceive that they are not treated well.

Concept #1 What is the definition of a system?

A system is a set of interconnected parts working together to form a whole in the context of a changing environment. A group is composed of individual members interrelating with each other. The behavior of one member affects the entire group because of the interconnectedness of system parts, especially if the behavior is disruptive. In general, a system is composed of input, throughput, and output.

Concept #1 Two primary dimensions of groups, tasks and social dimensions

All decision-making groups have both task and social dimensions. The task dimension is the work performed by the group. The social dimension is the relationships that form between members in the group and their impact on the group as a whole. Because groups are systems, the task and social dimensions are interconnected. Thus, degree of concern for a task affects the social or relationship aspects. Conversely, degree of concern for relationships in the group affects the accomplishment of the task

Chapter 6: What's the difference between groups and teams?

All teams are groups but not all groups are teams Level of Cooperation. Start as groups, hope to become teams Teams typically manifest a higher level of cooperation than standard groups The essence of all teams is collaborative interdependence Diversity of Skills: Complementarity Teams consist of members with more diverse skills than those found in standard groups Group Identity: Operating as a Unit Teams typically have stronger group identity than standard groups Time and Resources - Commitment to Team Small groups can become teams when they assume the 4 team characteristics.. Which are................

Concept #7 How does group size have an effect on complexity?

As groups increase in numerical size, complexity increases.

Concept #6 What is boundary control, what are the methods of it?

Boundaries regulate input and consequent exposure to change in a system. When groups establish boundaries, they regulate the degree, rate, and even the desirability of change. This boundary control determines the amount of access a group has to input, and thus influence, from outsiders. Every group maintains boundary control to some extent. It is a critical group function. Methods: Physical Barriers: Protecting Group Space Psychological Barriers: Member in Name Only Linguistic Barriers: Having to Speak the Language Rules: Permission not granted Roles: Staying in Bounds Networks: Controlling Information flow

How do we regulate the group through norming?

By developing appropriate explicit and implicit norms.

Concept #2 How do we build cohesiveness in groups?

Cohesiveness is the degree to which members feel a part of the group, wish to stay in the group, and are committed to each other and the groups work. Cohesiveness is produced primarily by attention to social relationships. Building Cohesiveness: 1. Encourage compatible membership 2. Develop shared goals 3. Accomplish tasks 4. Develop a positive history of cooperation 5. Promote acceptance of group members

Chapter 1

Communication Competence in Groups

Concept #7 What is the Communication Competence in terms of effectiveness and appropriateness?

Communication competence is engaging in communication with others that is both effective and appropriate within a given context. Effectiveness: Communication competence is predicated on results. Consequently, effectiveness is defined as how well we have progressed toward the achievement of goals. Appropriateness: The appropriateness of a person's communication is determined by examining the context. Thus, appropriateness means complying with rules and their accompanying expectations. A rule is a prescription that indicates what you should or shouldn't do in specific contexts

Myth 2: Communication Can Break Down

Communication does not break down. Machines break down; they quit. Human beings continue to communicate even when they wish not to do so. Behaviors such as non showing up for a group meeting. Group members infer messages form these nonverbal acts.

Myth 1:Communication is a cure-all:

Communication is not the magical answer to all your woes. Sometimes more communication aggravates differences between people. Communication is a tool that, in the possession of knowledge, can be used to help solve problems that arises in groups. Communication is however, not an end in itself but merely a means to an end.

Concept #2 Competition(MEGA) vs Cooperation (MIGA), what affect does constructive competition have on group climate

Competition: Winners Take All: competition is a mutually exclusive goal attainment (MEGA) process. When transactions in groups are competitive, individual success is achieved at the expense of other group members Cooperation: Winners All: Distinctly, unlike competition, cooperation is mutually inclusive goal attainment (MIGA) process. Individual success is tied directly to the success of other group members. Group members work together, not against each other, when attempting to achieve the common goal.

What is conformity and why do we do it?

Conformity is the adherence to group norms by group members, in this case "following the crowd" even if you don't believe in the norm personally. So why do we conform to norms, especially in a society as individualistic as the United States? We conform for principal reasons. First, we conform to norms to be liked. We want social acceptance, support, companionship, and recognition. Second, we conform to norms because we want to be right. Acting incorrectly can be embarrassing and humiliating. Group norms identify correct behavior.

Myth 4: Communication is Just Common Sense

Consider hindsight bias-- the "I knew it already" tendency. We tend to overestimate our prior knowledge once we have been told the correct answers. Anything can be seem like common sense when you've been given the correct answers.

4 way of structuring empowerment within teams

Developing team goals Clear Goals - everyone on the same page Cooperative Goals - interdependent challenges Challenging Goals - make a difference Commitment to Goals - Passion to succeed

Concept #5 Context: How does the environment affect communication?

Every communication transition has context, or an environment in which meaning emerges. Context consists of who (sender) communicates what (message) to whom (receiver) why (purpose) the communicator does it, where (setting), when (time), and how (way) it is done. Context is also central to verbal and also nonverbal communication.

Concept #4 What is the definition of synergy, recognize examples

Groups often outperform individuals working alone, and sometimes they produce spectacularly superior results. This group is called a synergy. Synergy (syn=together+ergon+work) occurs when group performance from joint action if members exceeds expectations based on perceived abilities and skills of individual members. Thus, the whole is not necessarily equal to the sum of its parts. It may be greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Concept #2 Know the difference between Input/throughput/output

Input consists of resources that come from outside the system, such as energy, information, and people (new group members). If input ceases, a system decreases. Throughput is the process of transforming input into output to keep the system functioning. Input is transformed in a group by its members engaging in communication activities such as presenting information during group discussion then taking that information and engaging in problem solving. Output comprises the continual results of the group's throughput (transformation of input. Group outputs include decisions made, solutions to problems created and for forth.

Concept #4 Can you identify examples of interrupting, probing, ambushing, paraphrasing?

Interrupting: Interrupting becomes competitive when the listener attempts to seize the floor from the speaker and dominate the conversation. Not all interrupting, of course, is competitive. Sometimes groups can interrupt to express support Ambushing: Preparing Rebuttals. When a group member is ready to pounce on a point made by the speaker, that member is listening with bias. The bias is to attack the speaker verbally, not try to understand the speakers point of view. Probing: Means seeking additional information from a speaker by asking questions. Probing includes clarifying questions. Paraphrasing: Is a concise response to the speaker which states the essence of other's content in the listener's words.

Be able to define leadership

Leadership: An influence process between leader and followers directed toward change that reflects mutual purposes of group members and is largely achieved through competent communication

Concept #2: Communication as sharing meaning; How do we make sense?

Our world becomes meaningful through communication with others. You do not establish meaning in social isolation. Sharing ideas, feelings, ruminations, and experiences with others is part of the process of constructing meaning, of determining connections and patterns in our minds, of making sense of the world.

What is role fixation and how does it happen?

Role fixation is the acting out of a specific role and that tole alone no matter what the situation might require. Role fixation in decision-making can occur when an individual moves from one group to another, or it can happen within a single group.

What is symbolic convergence

Symbolic Convergence - fantasy themes (connected stories)

What are the two types of team members

Team BUILDERS - YAAAAAAAY Experienced and Problem Solvers Add to Cultural Diversity (perspectives, ideas) Communication Training/Competence Team SLAYERS - BOOOOOOO Egocentrism - Me First Cynicism - Can't-Do Attitude Verbal/Nonverbal Abuse Team Member Removal?

Concept #3 What is the ripple effect, can you recognize examples

The ripple effect or chain reaction spreads across the entire system, much like a pebble tossed into a pond disturbs the water and forces adjustment. A small part of a huge system can generate an enormous ripple effects The ripple effect, of course, does not have to be a negative experience.

How do role reversal and role conflict influence each other?

The role that has the greatest importance and most potent effect on us is the one we choose when we have to decide between conflicting roles.

What are the factors that lead to role emergence?

There are two factors: Group Endorsement: Accepting a bid. Individuals initially make a bid to play a role. They may bid for a role because they have special skills that suit the role, or they may succumb to gender role stereotyping. Role Specialization: Setting into One's Role: Once a role for a member has been endorsed by the group, an individual member settles into his or her primary role-- occurs.

What is the difference between a leader and a manager:

There are two primary differences between a leader and a manager. First, a leader does not ordinarily operate from positional authority; a manager does. Second, a leader exercises interpersonal influence, but managers exercise positional influence

Concept #5 Know what dynamic equilibrium is in reference to a group adaptability to change

There is always a dynamic tension between stability and change in any system. All systems attempt to maintain stability and to a achieve a state of equilibrium. There is no perfect balance between stability and change in any system, but there is a range in which systems can manage change effectively to promote growth and success without destroying the system which to much instability. This range is called dynamic equilibrium. A system sustains dynamic equilibrium when it regulates the degree, rate, and desirability of change, allowing stability and change to co-exitst.

Concept #3: Verbal Communication: What is language, what are the symbols

Verbal Communication: Telling It Like It Isn't... We Share meaning verbally with language. Language is a structured system of symbols for sharing meaning. Symbols are representations of referents-- whatever the symbol refers to. Because symbols represent referents but are not the objects, ideas, events, or relationships represented, symbols have no meaning apart from us. This common agreement, however, doesn't always avoid misunderstandings because words can be ambiguous; they can have multiple meanings.

Concept #3 Why do we join groups?

We join groups to satisfy some needs. There are six mains reasons why we join groups: They are 1. Need to Belong 2. Interpersonal Attraction 3. Attraction to Group Activities 4. Attraction to Group Goals 5. Establishment of Meaning and Identity 6. Fulfillment of Unrelated Needs:

Concept #4 Nonverbal Communication: Easy to Read?

We share meaning non-verbally as well as verbally. Nonverbal communication is sharing meaning with others without using words. Our facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, gestures, posture all have the potential to communicate messages to group members. Unlike verbal communication, nonverbal communication is continuous, not discrete. Verbal communication has identifiable, discrete beginnings and endings. We speak and verbal communication begins; we stop and verbal communications ends. Nonverbal continue to send messages. We can't stop our facial expressions. Showing no eye contact can signal respect, intimidation, boredom, or insult. You can't stop the nonverbal leakage and it can becomes hard to read at times.

Concept #8 What is an organization?

When groups grow, they reach a point where they become organizations with bureaucracies.

Concept #4 Primary tension vs. secondary tension, recognize examples of both

When you first gather in a group, you normally feel some jitters and uneasiness, called primary tension. There are many signs of primary tension. Group members may become cautious and hesitant in their communication. Long periods of uncomfortable silence and tentative statements are all indicators of primary tension. The stress and strain that occur within a group later in its development is called secondary tension. Signs of secondary tension include sharp outburst, a sarcastic barb, hostile exchanges. Extreme secondary tension is unpleasant for the group. If it is left uncontrolled, the groups existence may be threatened.

Myth 3: Effective Communication is Merely Skill Building

Without understanding the complexities of the communication process, no amounts of skills training will be meaningful, and it may be harmful.