Chapter 9

Communicatingin Groups

• List the characteristics and types of groups and explain how groups develop

• Describe ways in which group size affects communication

• Identify the influence of networks on groups

Chapter Outcomes

• Define the roles individuals play in a group

• Identify key issues affecting group communication and effectiveness

Chapter Outcomes (cont.)

Understanding Groups

• A collection of more than two people who share some kind of relationship

• Communicate in an interdependent fashion

• Collaborate toward a shared purpose

Characteristics of Groups

• Groups possess:– A shared identity

• identify as part of the group

– Common goals• either specific or general

– Interdependent relationships• the behavior of each member affects the

behavior of every other member

Group Types

• Primary groups:– Family and friends

• Support groups:– Address personal problems

• Social groups:– Offer relationship opportunities

• Problem-solving groups:– Address specific problems

Group Types (cont.)

• Study groups:– Task-oriented

• Focus groups:– Research-based

• Teams:– Carry out a project or specific

endeavor • Self-directed work teams

– Skilled workers who accomplish a task

Group Development

• Forming stage:– Determine who will be in charge– Define group’s goals

• Storming stage:– Determine what roles members will

play– Deal with conflicts

Group Development (cont.)

• Norming stage:– Establish agreed norms governing

expectations•Norms: recurring patterns of behavior or

thinking that become the “usual” way of doing things in the group

– Solidify roles – Leader emerges

Group Development (cont.)

• Performing stage:– Members work together to achieve

goals and overcome hurdles

• Adjourning stage:– Members reflect on accomplishments

and failures– Determine next steps as a group

Group Size and Communication

• Larger groups lead to…– More formal interactions– Limited opportunities for individual

members to contribute– Less intimate communication – More time-consuming interactions – More complex relationships

Group Size and Communication (cont.)

Size, Cliques, and Coalitions

• Larger groups lead to…– Emergence of cliques (coalitions)

• Small subgroups of individuals who have bonded together within a group

– Development of countercoalitions• Subgroups that position themselves

against each other on issues

Group Size andSocial Loafing

• The larger the group…– the more likely social loafing is to

occur• Failing to invest the same level of effort in

the group that you would put in if working alone

• Affects participation and communication in groups

– the more difficult it is to assess individual contributions to the group

Group Networks

• Networks are patterns of interaction governing who speaks with whom in a group and about what.– Centrality: the degree to which an

individual sends and receives messages from others in the group

– Isolation: a position from which a group member sends and receives fewer messages than other members

Group Networks (cont.)

• Types of Networks

Understanding Group Roles

• Information giver: – Offers facts, beliefs, personal

experience, or other input during group discussions

• Information seeker: – Asks for additional input or clarification

of ideas or opinions

• Elaborator:– Provides further clarification of points,

often adding to what others have said

Understanding GroupRoles (cont.)

• Initiator:– Moves the group toward its objective by

proposing solutions, new ideas, or suggestions

• Administrator:– Keeps the conversation on track

• Elder:– Online group member who has

participated a long time; respected by newbies

Understanding GroupRoles (cont.)

• Social roles include:– Harmonizers: smooth tension– Gatekeepers: ensure everyone

contributes– Sensors: express group feelings and

moods to recognize the climate

Understanding GroupRoles (cont.)

• Antigroup roles include:– Blockers: use destructive

communication– Avoiders: change the subject, express

cynicism– Recognition seekers: boast for

attention– Distractors: go off on tangents– Trolls: insert irrelevant, inflammatory

comments

Understanding GroupRoles (cont.)

• Role conflict:– Occurs when group expectations are

incompatible with a member’s behavior

– Makes group communication challenging

Additional Factors Affecting Group Communication• Cohesion:

– The degree to which group members have bonded and consider themselves one entity

– Necessary for a positive group climate

• Groupthink:– When group members strive to maintain

cohesiveness, minimize conflict by refusing to critically examine ideas, analyze proposals, or test solutions

Additional Factors Affecting Group Communication (cont.)• Norms:

– Determined by the group; imposed by its members

– Unproductive norms may hinder communication

• Clarity of goals:– Define in terms of problem– Establish performance standards,

resources, contingencies, reporting

Additional Factors Affecting Group Communication (cont.)

• Individual differences:– Cultural factors

• Individualistic vs. collectivist• Gender and sex differences

– Communication apprehension• Low self-esteem• Status differences• Unbalanced participation