CMN 101 CH.13 Vocab

teams

task-oriented groups in which members are especially loyal and dedicated to the task and other group members

relational-oriented groups

groups formed to promote interpersonal connections and that are more focused on quality interactions that contribute to the well-being of group members

task-oriented groups

groups formed to solve a problem, promote a case, or generate ideas or information

virtual groups

groups that take advantage of new technologies and meet exclusively or primarily online to achieve their purpose or goal

small group communication

interactions among 3 or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, and a shared identity

social loafing

tendency for some members of small groups to contribute less to the group than other members or than they would if they were working alone

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

secondary tension

tension that emerges after groups have passed the forming stage of group development and begin to have conflict over member roles, differing ideas, and personality conflicts

social cohesion

the attraction and liking among group members

task cohesion

the commitment of group members to the purpose and activities of the group

group cohesion

the commitment of members to the purpose of the group and the degree of attraction among individuals within the group

group socialization

the process of teaching and learning the norms, rules, and expectations associated with group interaction and group member behaviors

group climate

the relatively enduring tone and quality of group interaction that is experienced similarly by group members

storming

the sage of group development in which conflict emerges as people begin to perform their various roles, have their ideas heard, and negotiate where they fit in the group's structure

symbolic cconvergence

the sense of community or group consciousness that develops in a group through non-task related communication such as stories and jokes

group fantasies

verbalized references to events outside the "here and now" of the group, including references to the group's past, predictions for the future, or other communication about people or events outside of the group.

forming

the stage of development in which group members begin to reduce uncertainty associated with new relationships and/or new tasks through initial interactions that lay the foundation for later group dynamics

norming

the stage of development in which the practices and expectations of the group are solidified, which leads to more stability, productivity, and cohesion within the group

adjourning

the stage of group development in which a group dissolves because it has completed its purpose or goal, membership is declining and support for the group no longer exists, or it is dissolved because of some other internal or external cause

performing

the stage of group development in which group members work relatively smoothly toward the completion of a task or achievement of a purpose

interdependence

a characteristic of small groups that refers to a shared purpose and fate, meaning that each groups member's actions affect every other group member

groupthink

a negative group phenomenon characterized by a lack of critical evaluation of proposed ideas or courses of action that results from high levels of cohesion and/or high conformity pressures

interpersonal conflict

group conflict that emerges from conflict between individual members of the group

procedural conflict

group conflict that emerges from disagreement or trouble with the mechanics of group operations

substantive conflict

group conflict that focuses on group members' differing beliefs, attitudes, values, or ideas related to the purpose or task of the group.

primary tension

group tension based on uncertainty that is a natural part of initial interactions

secondary groups

groups characterized by less frequent face-to-face interactions, less emotional and relational communication, and more task-related communication than primary groups

primary groups

long-lasting groups that are formed based on relationships and include significant others