Working in Groups: 5th edition

Isa N. Engleberg
Prince Georges Community College

Dianna R. Wynn
Nash Community College

Chapter 1:
Introduction to
Group Communication

Objective
1. Defining group communication
2. Types of groups
3. Advantages and disadvantages of working in group
4. Group dialectics

How to Succeed in Groups

Listen

effectively
Understand your role
Actively contribute
Ask clear questions
Establish a professional rapport

How to Succeed in Groups

Communicate

effectively with
culturally-diverse members
Use language effectively
Convey a professional image
Resolve group conflict
Demonstrate leadership

Defining Group
Communication
The interaction of three or
more interdependent
members working to
achieve a common goal

Components of Group
Communication
The interaction of three
or more interdependent
members working to
achieve a common goal

Defining Group
Communication
Three or more members
Why is three the minimum size for a group?
How are groups limited when there are less
than 5 members?
How are groups limited when there are more
than 12 members?
What is the ideal size for a problem-solving
group?

Defining Group
Communication
Three or more members

A group consists of at least 3 members.

A third person can change a tie-vote into a two-to-one decision.

Minimum 3 members, with no maximum numbers

Ideal group size for problem solving is 5-7 members

Odd number is better than even numbers to enable majority voting and
decision making

As group grows larger, individual satisfaction and commitment to the

group often decrease.

Defining Group
Communication
Interaction
Requires verbal and non-verbal communication to
generate meanings and establish relationships.
Communication helps with sharing information and
opinions, making decisions, solving problems, and
develop interpersonal relationships
The way in which group members communicate
creates and reveals group dynamics. (appropriateness,
which rules apply etc.)

Common Goal

Group members collective reason and goal defines and

unifies the group.

A goal is the purpose or objective toward which group

work is directed.

Goals are often assigned. (a semester-long marketing

campaign assignment, assigned by a marketing instructor at
a college).

Some groups can establish their own goals. (A group of

students may form a study group to prepare for English
Language exams).

Common Goal

Effective groups have a common goal and dedicate their

efforts to accomplish that goal.

The single factor that separates successful groups from

unsuccessful ones, is having a clear goal because goals
guide action, set standards for measuring success, provide a
focus for resolving conflict and motivate members.

Interdependence
Each group member is affected and influenced by the
actions of other members.
A successful interdependent group functions as a
cohesive team in which every member is responsible
for doing his or her part.
The failure of a single member can adversely affect
the entire group.
For groups to be successful members need to share

information, give and receive advice, support,

assistance and feedback from one another.

Working
Work is the physical or mental effort used
when trying to accomplish something.
This something can be a social goal-getting
friends together for a surprise party - a family
goal-deciding jointly to go on vacation - a
work team goal - planning training sessions for
improving patient care - management goal developing a strategic plan for their
organization

PowerPoint Quiz
Which of the following situations best
represents group communication?
a)People talking about politics in an elevator
b)People discussing the weather in an airport
c)Parents cheering at a school soccer match
d)Jury members deliberating a court case
e)An audience listening to a concert

Nature of group communication

Two important perspectives

explain how groups work:
The basic process of human
communication
A system approach to
understanding groups

Communication Process:
Basic Elements
Members

Feedback

Messages

Context

Channels

Noise

Group Communication Process

Group Communication Process:

Match the Concepts
A. Members

B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Messages
Channels
Feedback
Context
Noise

__ Anything that interferes with or

inhibits communication
__ Ideas, information, opinions,
feelings
__ Media used to share messages
__ Recognized and accepted as
belonging to a group
__ Response or reaction to a message
__ The physical and psychological
environment

Group communication process

Members:
Individuals belonging to the group

Members bring distinctive skills, knowledge,

experiences, personality
Traits, cultural backgrounds, a points of view to a group.

Messages:
Ideas, information, opinions and or feelings that
generate meaning ,
Example: communicating the success of group members
on an excellent job done.

Group communication process

Channels:
The media through which group members share
messages: hearing, seeing, touching, smelling and
tasting. Example; sending an email or bringing cookies
or fruit to praise members.

Feedback:
The response or reaction to a message. By recognizing
and adapting to feedback, you can assess how well
others receive and interpret your messages.

Context: physical and psychological environment in which a group

communicates. It includes type and size of groups purpose and
history, the physical setting, the groups role and status in
organization, and the characteristics of and relationships among
group members. Study group meeting in a cafeteria vs. wellestablished corporate marketing team holding a videoconference
with international clients.
Noise: anything that interferes with or inhibits communication.
Noise can be external, such as loud people in the hallway, or a
member walking late into a meeting, but also it can be internal
and psychological> Biases, thoughts, fatigue, and hunger all
affect how well you express your thoughts or interpret the
messages of other members.

Systems theory
System Theory (System Perspective) is a
group of theories that examine how
interdependent factors affect one another.
Communication does not take place in
isolation, but rather necessitates a
communication system.
Common characteristics include:

Systems theory
Systems function in a particular environment in which they
receive input and produce output.
System components are interdependent. The contamination of
one cell leads to the contamination of many cells.
Systems have a purpose or goal. The digestive system converts
food into fuel for the body.
Systems are unpredictable. There are multiple ways of
achieving the same goal in most systems. When a company is
losing money, there are many options of solving the problem.
Systems try to maintain a balance in their environment. When
an ecosystem is invaded by unwelcome intruders, native
organisms may defend their territory or move to a less hostile
environment in order to restore equilibrium and harmony.

Groups as Systems
Groups receive input and produce
output.
Members are interdependent.
Groups and their members have goals.
Groups and their members are
unpredictable.
Groups balance contradictory tensions.

Basic Types of Groups

Primary

Groups
Social Groups
Self-Help
Groups
Learning
Groups

Service

Groups
Civic Groups
Work Groups
Public Groups

Match the Types of Groups

A.
B.
C.
D.

Primary Group
Social Group
Self-help Group
Learning Group
E. Service Group

__ Alcoholics
Anonymous
__ Bowling Team
__ Rotary Club
__ Boy or Girl Scout
Troop
(In some cases, more than
__ Church Choir
one type may apply)
__ Tribe on Survivor
__ Group Counseling

Additional Types of Groups

Work Groups:
Committees

ad hoc
standing
task force
Work Teams

Public Groups:
Panel Discussion
Symposium
Forum
Governance
Group

Advantages of Working in Groups:

Provide Examples

Superior Performance

Greater member
satisfaction

More learning

Enhanced Cultural
Understanding

More creativity

Greater civic engagement

Disadvantages of Working in
Groups: Provide Examples
More time, energy
and resources
Conflict
People Problems
...

Balance and Group Dialectics

Group Dialectics
The contradictory tensions groups
experience as they work toward a
common goal. Effective groups engage in
a cooperative effort balance group
dialectics through effective group
communication strategies

Balance and Group Dialectics

Group Dialectics
The competing and contradictory
components of group work

Balancing Group Dialectics

The challenge of taking a both/and rather
than an either/or approach to resolving
dialectic tensions in groups

The Opposite Proverb Is . . .

Birds of a feather
flock together
He who hesitates is
lost.

____________________
_
_________________
____
____________________
_

_________________

Balancing Group Dialectics

Individual Goals Group Goals
Personal goals are compatible with group goals.

Conflict Cohesion
Cohesive groups are committed, unified, and willing
to engage in conflict.

Conforming Nonconforming
Members value group norms, but are willing to
change.

Balancing Group Dialectics

Task Dimensions Social Dimensions
Members want to get the job done and also value their
social relationships.

Homogenous Heterogeneous
Members value member similarities and differences.

Leadership Followership
Effective leadership requires loyal and competent
followers.

Balancing Group Dialectics

Structure Spontaneity
Members recognize the need for structured procedures
and the value of creative thinking.

Engaged Disengaged
Members expend energy and work hard, but also need
rest and renewal.

Open System Closed System

Members welcome input and interchange, but also
protect the group and its work.

Match and Define the Dialectics

A. Individual
B. Conflict
C. Open
D. Structure
E. Conformity
F. Leadership
G. Engaged
H. Homogeneous
I. Task

___ Closed
___ Disengaged
___ Spontaneity
___ Followership
___ Heterogeneous
___ Social
___ Nonconforming
___ Cohesive
___ Group

Ethics and Balance

Do group members agree upon and apply
standards of right and wrong to group
situations and member interaction?
Do group members follow the National
Communication Association Credo for
Ethical Communication?

Apply the NCA Ethics

Credo
In requesting funds A. We advocate truthfulness,

for a school club, the

accuracy, honesty, and reason.
officers exaggerate B. We condemn communication that
their needs and
degrades individuals . . .
suggest that other
C. We accept responsibility for the
clubs waste money.
short- and long-term
consequences of our own
Which ethics credo
communication.
principle(s) have the D. We strive to understand and
officers violated?
respect other communicators
before evaluating and responding
to their messages.

PowerPoint Quiz
Aristotle offered
the doctrine of
the mean as a
balanced
approach to
ethical behavior.
He advised that
when you face an
ethical decision,
you should . . .

a. select an appropriate
response somewhere
between two extremes.
b.select a response that
benefits the most people.
c. select a response that
benefits you the most.
d.select a response that is at
the midpoint between two
extremes.