small group chapter 4

rectangular tables

seating around this has a major impact on interaction

seating at round tables

(a) Side-by-Side, (b) Distance-Opposite, and (c) Side-to-End.

communication networks

(a) Wheel, (b) Chain, (c) Y, (d) Circle, and (e) All-Channel.

Msyth guidelines to minimize social loafing

1. Increase personal involvement. 2. Minimize free riding. 3. Clarify group goals. 4. Set high standards. 5. Increase collective efficacy. 6. Increase unity.

physical environment

An environment that is conducive to more communication, such as the less traditional "open office," is often more conducive to the success of group tasks.

types of groups

Primary Groups Casual and Social Groups Educational Groups Work Groups Problem-Solving Groups

personal space

In addition to identifying certain places as our territory, we also move about in a portable space bubble of about 18 inches in each direction that we let only certain people violate.

seating patterns at rectangular table

a) Corner-to-Corner, (b) Face-to-Face, (c) Distant-Opposite, (d) Corner to End, (e) Side-by-Side, and (f) End-to-End.

when a group size increases

arithmetically (linearly), the potential number of interactions increases geometrically (exponentially)

intimate distance

extends from touching to about 18 inches

Problem-Solving Groups

groups that form in order to solve one or more problems.

Education Groups

groups that interact for the sole purpose of study or instruction.

Primary Groups

groups that usually include one's family and closest friends.

Casual and Social Groups

include neighborhood groups, fraternities, and even classmates. The impact of these relationships on behavior is often quite profound.

Seating Patterns

often affect the type and volume of interaction in a group.

personal distance

ranges from 18 inches to about 4 feet

public distance

refers to 12 feet and beyond

social distance

refers to the distance between 4 to 12 feet

centralized networks

such as the chain and the wheel, are better for solving simple problems.

social loafing

the decreased effort of each individual member in the group, occurs more as the number of people in a group increases.

Communication Networks

the five patterns of communicating between group members.

Work Groups

the formations of people on the job.

Territoriality

the word was coined by Edward Hall and is defined as "the tendency for humans and other animals to lay claim to and defend a particular area or territory."

decentralized networks

when the problem is complex, such as the circle and the all-channel are faster and more accurate and result in higher member satisfaction.