Small Group Communication Midterm

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

(level 1) Physiological Needs, (level 2) Safety and Security, (level 3) Relationships, Love and Affection. Belongingness Need (level 4) Self Esteem, (level 5) Self Actualization

Structuration Theory

- Focuses on individual behaviors - Utilizes rules and systems to structure behavior

Supportive Climate

A communication situation in which a person feels he or she can speak freely without risk of harm. Ex: Willingness to become involved with others, Non-judgemental presentation

(level 5) Self Actualization

A state of self-fulfillment in which people realize their highest potential, each in his or her own unique way

What is small group communication's 3 distinct parts?

Common purpose, sense of belonging, and exert influence

True

Effective teams should have clearly defined roles, rules, and methods

Social Loafing (Fixes)

Encourage less-talkative group members to contribute to the dis- cussion. Also, make sure each person knows the goals and objectives of the group. Encouraging each member to attend every meeting helps, too.

True

Examples of primary groups include family and social groups

False

Examples of secondary groups include family and social groups

False

Expert power is based on a person's ability to provide rewards for desired behavior

Bruce Tuckman's 4 Stages of Group Development

FORMING, a period characterized by anxiety and uncertainty about belonging to the group and a resulting cautiousness in behavior. In the second stage, STORMING, competition, individuality, and conflict emerge as group members try to satisfy their individual needs. NORMING, is characterized by attempts to resolve earlier conflicts, often by negotiating clear guidelines for the group. PERFORMING is the fourth stage. Cooperation and productive work are the hallmarks of this stage.

Functional Theory

Factors that influence success. Group members, attempt to satisfy task requirements, use communication to overcome constraints and take time to review the process

Symbolic Convergence Theory

Fantasy theme: Creative and shared interpretation of events fantasy change: String of connected stories that revolve around common theme

Types of secondary groups mentioned in class

Focus groups, study groups, committee, problem solving, and therapy

Group Membership

Frats, Sorority, Social Clubs, Honor Society

False

Grouphate describes the fun some people have while working in a group

group size on productivity

Groups should be large enough to include people with the skills necessary to get the job done, but small enough to encourage maximum participation

False

In a group discussion, reasoning fallacies should be ignored

True

In virtual groups, trust is more likely to develop through task oriented responses

True

Increasing one's level of activity and uneasiness that occurs when a group first meets is called secondary tension

Why must someone may hold back from contributing in a group?

Individual and group needs may be so diverse that they interfere with each other, with no positive effects accruing either to individuals within the group or to the group as a whole. & One or more group members may have their needs met, to the detriment or destruction of the group.

The Power Bases

LEGITIMATE POWER stems from a group member's ability to influence others because of being elected, appointed, or selected to exert control over a group. Comes from occupying a position of responsibility. REFERENT POWER is the power of interpersonal attraction. Put simply, people we like have more power over us than people we do not like. EXPERT POWER stems from a group member's ability to influence others based on the knowledge and information the member possesses.

True

Low status members communicate more positive messages to high status members

True

Meanings rest in people, not words

2 Disadvantages of Working in a Small Group

Might be personal conflict or people just not knowing who is in the group so they might not feel comfortable expressing how they feel.

(level 4) Self Esteem

Once people have developed a sense of belonging, Maslow says, they need respect or esteem. They need to feel not only that they are accepted but also that they are con- sidered worthwhile and valued by others

True

One can identify group norms by observing repeated patterns of behavior

Similarity

One of the strongest influences in interpersonal attraction. Ex: Interpersonal attraction suggests, you probably looked for someone who appeared to be in the same situation—another lonely newcomer, or perhaps someone dressed as you were.

(level 2) Safety and Security

One's security and protection. Maslow called the first two levels of the hierarchy survival needs; satisfaction of these needs is necessary for basic human existence.

Group Goals

People believe that the spread of coal-burning plants must be curtailed, they may join a group dedicated to changing national energy policy.

Control Need

People need control to gain status and power. They need to have some control over themselves and others, and sometimes they need to give others some control over them, such as when they seek guidance and direction.

(level 3) Belongingness Need

People need to feel that they are a part of some group.

False

People who have polychromic sense of time expect human activities to proceed in a precise

Physical Attractiveness

Physical beauty or handsomeness. Ex: Physical attractiveness is especially important in the early stages of a relationship, though it becomes less important after you get to know someone.

Hidden Agenda

Private goals toward which individuals work while seeming to work toward the group goal. Can be extremely disruptive to the group. Establishing mutuality of concern can help reduce this negative influence.

The types of group discussion questions

Question of fact: A question that asks whether something is true or false. Question of prediction: A question that asks whether something is likely to occur. Question of value: A question that considers something's worth or desirability. Question of policy: A question that considers whether a change in procedure should be made

Social Loafing (Causes)

Some group members hold back on their contributions, assuming others will do the work. They can get away with this because in a group or team, no one will be able to pin the lack of work on a single group member.

Feedback

The response of a receiver to a sender's message; it can be verbal or nonverbal (ex.head nod)

False

The size of the group has no influence on the success of the group

Social Loafing

The tendency for people to hold back from contributing in a group

Social Loafing

The tendency for people to put less effort into a simple task when working with others on that task

Interpersonal communication

The term that means communicating with oneself

Group Think

The term used to explain when groups agree primarily to avoid conflict

Control

The use of status and power to achieve a goal

Inclusion Need

They need to be recognized as unique individuals and to feel understood. When people try to understand someone, the implication is that the individual is worthy of their time and effort.

Red Herring Fallacy

Which occurs when someone undermines an idea by using irrelevant facts or arguments as distractions. To divert attention or distract listeners from the real issue. Distractions through irrelevant facts or arguments

Defensive Climate

a communication situation in which a person feels threatened. Ex: Passing judgement, Failure to recognize the worth of the other person

high-context culture

a culture in which people are taught to speak in an indirect, non-verbal way. Ex: Asian and African Countries

Low context culture

a culture that emphasizes verbal expression and direct language. Ex: USA, Canada

Interpersonal Need

a human need that can be fulfilled by others

Group size in climate

as the size of a group increases, the opportunity to interact with other members decreases. Fewer efforts from individuals

Schutz Theory

inclusion, control, affection

Group Activities

literary discussion groups. Those who enjoy playing soccer join soccer teams. Some may join groups simply because they enjoy going to regular meetings and joining in group discussions, regardless of the group's specific aims or goals.

Hidden Agendas

private goals toward which individuals work while seeming to work toward the group goal

Task Roles

roles that are directly related to the accomplishment of group goals

Individual Roles

roles that focus more on individuals' own interests and needs than on those of the group

Maintenance Roles

that nurture positive interpersonal relationships are both crucial to the long- term success of a group.

Group Cohesiveness

the degree of attraction members feel toward one another and toward the group.

Social Exchange Theory

the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.

Proximity, Contact, and Interaction

The actual, physical availability of other people. Ex: Interacting with others reveals their similar and complementary traits and, thus, enhances their attractiveness to you.

False

The bandwagon fallacy occurs when someone attacks an idea by using irrelevant information

True

The channel is how the message is delivered (ex. face-to-face, phone, mail)

2 Advantages of Working in a Small Group

The creativity that can be brought and ideas amongst each other

Transactional

The current model of how a speaker and receiver send and receive

Mutality of Concern

The degree to which members share the same level of commitment to a group or team

Complementarity

The degree to which two people are compatibly different from each other. Ex: You tend to be attracted to people who possess qualities that you admire but do not yourself possess.

(level 1) Physiological Needs

The first level of needs, at the bottom of the hierarchy, physiological needs. People have physiological needs for air, water, and food.

Inclusion

The human need for affiliation or connection with others

Mass Communication

The largest of the 6 types of communication

Interpersonal Communication

The most common type of personal communication; it involves 2 people

Affection Need

The need for affection drives people to give and receive emotional warmth and closeness.

Systems Theory

The openness to environment, interdependence, input variables, process variables, output variables, synergy, entropy, equifinality