E.

Group communication is a mode of communication in an organization, between

employers and employees, and employees in teams/groups. Group communication can
further be looked from an marketing perspective as communicating to a group of people or
target customers in order to market a product.

Families, friendship circles, work teams, committees, and sports teams are all examples of
groups. Individuals belong to many types of groups. The quality of people's everyday lives
depends in important ways on the groups to which they belong. Much of the work and many of
the decisions that shape the world depend on the actions that groups take. Groups are
important because they influence the way in which people experience and understand the
world. The study of group communication helps further the understanding of how groups
function in influencing individuals and society. Additionally, the study of groups can lead to
innovations in such things as technology, government, and organizational policy.

1. What is a group? - A group is a collection of individuals who have relations to

one another that make them interdependent to some significant degree. As so
defined, the term group refers to a class of social entities having in common the
property of interdependence among their constituent members.

A group is a unit of two or more persons who work together to

achieve a goal. The members of a group interact with one another in face
to face relationships over a period of time.Thus a group may be defined
as a collection of two or more persons who have a common goal and
interact with each other to accomplish the goal. (
http://www.shareyouressays.com/knowledge/group-personality-is-
characterised-by-the-following-features/94705)

To understand groups, there must be some way of determining

what makes a collection of people a group. The number of members can
be used to distinguish groups from other forms of social behavior, such as
crowds, organizations, and interpersonal relationships. Groups, which are
obviously bigger in size than interpersonal relationships but smaller than
crowds or organizations, typically have around five members (but can be
as large as twenty members). This supports the theory that the ideal
decision-making group consists of five members (plus or minus two).
While it is useful, the number of members does not capture exactly what
makes a collection a group.

A group is not a crowd or a mob. As with crowds (such as those

that gather for sporting events or around the scene of an accident),
groups focus their attention on particular matters of interest. Unlike
 crowds, groups are more than just a collection of individuals. People
come together in groups to accomplish a set of goals and to work
together to accomplish those goals. Crowds disperse once the event that
draws their attention is over, but a group remains intact.
A group is not an organization. As with organizations (such as
business firms or school districts), a group has rules and expectations
that help members accomplish shared goals. Unlike organizations,
groups do not develop a bureaucracy to organize members and do not
hire managers to enforce the rules. Instead, members of small groups
typically know each other, develop informal rules and norms, and monitor
each other's behavior.
A group is not an interpersonal pairing of two individuals. As with
interpersonal relationships (such as those between friends, parents and
children, or coworkers), group members interact with each other and
influence each other at a personal level. Groups, however, include at
least three people who have a common relationship and develop a sense
of mutual belonging that differs from any interpersonal relationship that
might exist between any two given members of the group.
Because the number of members is just a useful starting point for
understanding groups, it is important to understand that a collection
becomes a group only when the members (1) share a goal, (2) hold
expectations over each other about participating in and belonging to the
group, (3) create identities for the group and its members, and (4)
influence each other and develop strategies and tactics to control each
other and maintain the group.
(https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-
transcripts-and-maps/group-communication)

2. Group Personality - As every individual has a personality of his/her own so also a

group acquires a personality over a period of time. Group personality is characterised by
the following features:

2.1. Spirit of conformity:

Every group establishes certain norms of behavior. The members of the
group tend to comply with these norms in order to gain recognition. They adjust
themselves by conforming to the accepted standards of their group relationships.

2.2. Respect for group values:

 Every group develops and tries to maintain certain values and ideals
making it different from other groups. In order to deal with the group effectively it
is essential to understand the group values.

2.3. Collective power:

An individual alone is powerless. A group is always more powerful than
individuals. The group as a whole rule over individuals. An odd member can
never have a say in the group. A group is a collective power.

2.4. Group prejudice:

Just as individuals have their prejudices so also groups have their own
prejudices. A person’s prejudices tend to become stronger when he interacts with
other members of the group with similar prejudices.

2.5. Resistance to change:

A group may bring about its own changes. However a group opposes
changes which are likely to threaten its unity and norms. The interactions and
relationships between members of a group is called group Dynamics. Interaction
among the group members is the core of group dynamics. A group becomes
defunct without communication. Group dynamics is thus concerned with the
interactions between members of a group in face to face relationships.

. ( http://www.shareyouressays.com/knowledge/group-
personality-is-characterised-by-the-following-features/94705)

3. Types of Groups – Formal and Informal

In an organization, the formation of groups is very natural, whether it is

created by the management for the purpose of accomplishing the goals of the
organization or by the members of the organisations themselves to fulfill their social
needs. There are two types of group, namely, formal groups and informal
groups. Formal groups are the ones that are created as per official authority, so as
to fulfill the desired objective. Unlike, informal groups are formed by the individuals
as per their likes, interests, and attitudes. The most common reason behind the
creation of a group is the urge of people to talk and make their own circle, where
 they can interact freely, know each other, work unitedly and accomplish the tasks
which are being assigned to them. In the given article, the difference between formal
and informal groups are presented.

Definition of Formal Group

A formal group is a collection of persons, who came together for achieving a

specified goal. They are always created with intent to fulfil some official requirement.
Formation of the group is done by the management. It possesses a systematic structure,
in hierarchical form.

In general, the employees of the organisation are divided into groups, and a task
is a hand over to each group. In this way, the task of the group is accomplished along
with the fulfilment of organisational goals. The given are the types of formal groups:

 Command groups: The groups that consist of managers and their subordinates.
 Committees: The group of people who are appointed by an organisation, to resolve
the matters, referred to them are known as Committee. For example Advisory
Committee, Standing Committee, etc.
 Task Forces: The group form to carry out a particular task is known as Task Forces.

Definition of Informal Groups

The groups that are created naturally, within the organisation, due to social and
psychological forces are known as Informal groups. Under this group, the employees of
the organisation, themselves enter into groups, without the approval of the management
to satisfy their social needs on the job.

Nobody wants to live in isolation; people generally create a circle around

themselves so that they can interact and share their feelings, opinions, experiences,
information, etc. These circles are known as informal groups at the workplace. These
groups are formed on the basis of common likes, dislikes, prejudices, contacts,
language, interests, attitudes of the members. It includes interest group and friendship
group. The communication is faster in such groups, as they follow grapevine chain.

There are no defined rules; that applies to the informal group. Moreover, the
group possesses a loose structure. The bond between the members of the group is
quite strong, which can be seen when one of the employees is kicked out of the job
and all co-members his group goes on strike just to support him.

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
FORMAL GROUP INFORMAL GROUP
COMPARISON
 BASIS FOR
FORMAL GROUP INFORMAL GROUP
COMPARISON

Meaning Groups created by the organization, Groups created by the employees

for the purpose of accomplishing a themselves, for their own sake
specific task are known as Formal are known as Informal Groups.
Groups.

Formation Deliberately Voluntarily

Size Large Comparatively small.

Life Depends on the type of group. Depends on the members.

Structure Well Defined Ill Defined

Importance is Position Person

given to

Relationship Professional Personal

Communication Moves in a defined direction. Stretches in all the directions.

Key Differences Between Formal and Informal Groups

The following are the differences between formal and informal groups:

1. The groups formed by the management of the organisation for accomplishing a specific
task are known as Formal Groups. The groups that are formed by the employees
themselves as per their likes and prejudices is known as Informal Groups.
2. The formal groups are deliberately created by the organisation, whereas the informal
groups are established voluntarily.
3. The formal groups are big in size as compared to an informal group. Moreover, there
can be sub-groups in a single formal group.
4. The structure of a formal group is designed in a hierarchical manner while the informal
group lacks structure or say it has no structure.
5. In a formal group, the position of a member defines its importance in the group, but in an
informal group, every member is as important as any other member.
6. In a formal group, the relationship between the members is professional, they gather just
to accomplish the task allotted to them. On the other hand, in an informal group, there is
a personal relationship between members, they share their opinions, experiences,
problems, information with each other.
7. In a formal group, the flow of communication is restricted due to the unity of command.
In contrast to an informal group, the flow of communication stretches in all directions;
there is no such restriction. (https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-formal-and-
informal-groups.html#ComparisonChart)

4. What is a small group communication? Communication among three or more

people and are perhaps equally active parties, who are usually in proximity and who are
usually in close proximity. A relatively small collection of individuals who are related to each
other by some common purpose. (http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/elittle/SPCH%20-2010-
207OralCommunnication/Lesson03/contents/SmallGroupCommunication.htm)

When more than two persons exchange their information face to face, it is called
small group communication. It is one type of internal communication. A small group is
generally defined as a group that consists of at least three members and at the
maximum around twelve to fifteen members. A group that has just two members or more
than fifteen members would not come in the category of a small group. This small group
is generally formed to solve a particular problem, make decisions, determine policies
and submit reports. Personnel committee, audit committee, report committee, grievance
committee are the example of small groups. Since it may be an informal communication,
the group may or may not have any assigned leader. Every member can influence and
can be influenced for performing their task. This generally takes place in a context that
mixes interpersonal interactions with social clustering. So, small-group
communication is the process in which information are exchanged among t e members
(Three to Fifteen) of the same group to achieve the interdependent goals of the
organization. (https://thebusinesscommunication.com/what-is-small-group-
communication/)

5. The role of communication in the small group

During small group communication, interdependent participants analyze data,

evaluate the nature of the problem(s), decide and provide a possible solution or
procedure. Additionally, small group communication provides strong feedback, unique
contributions to the group as well as a critical thinking analysis and self-disclosure from
each member.[2][3] Small groups communicate through an interpersonal exchange
process of information, feelings and active listening in both two types of small groups:
primary groups and secondary groups.[4][5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_in_small_groups

The term "group communication" refers to the messages that are exchanged by
group members. These messages, whether verbal or nonverbal, are important to groups
because it is through the exchange of messages that group members participate,
 maintain the group identity, determine goals, motivate participation, and do the many
things that keep the group intact. For example, a soccer team can be considered to be a
group, but one would not expect a soccer team to exist or compete with other soccer
teams without exchanging messages. How would team members share information
about the game plan? How would they make collective decisions in executing the game
plan? How would members build the relationships that help each member understand
who to trust in the critical moments of a game? How would members create the team
spirit that motivates each member to play their best game possible? Examining group
communication is fundamental to understanding groups. The messages that are
exchanged by group members provide evidence of the nature of the group. The
messages that are exchanged identify whether the group is a social group or a task
group. The messages also reveal what roles specific members play in a group. Imagine
a family trying to decide what to do during the two weeks in the summer when all the
family members are free to do something as a family. Should they go on vacation, stay
home and relax, paint the house, or have some parties with extended family and
friends? The types of messages that are exchanged and the manner in which the
messages are exchanged can be used to describe such group characteristics as the
structure of the family, who is in control, and the group's collective identity. However,
messages are more than just a signal about what the group is. Group communication is
important because it is through messages that groups make decisions, manage conflict,
and build the rapport that is necessary to keep the group going in difficult circumstances.
The exchange of messages shapes what the group will be and what the group can
accomplish. The way in which, for example, a family exchanges messages about
pending choices shapes important features, such as how members understand each
other, whether they will respect each other, and whether they will be motivated to make
the decision happen.

6. Group discussion – its role in teamwork

a group discussion refers to a communicative situation that allows its participants to share
their views and opinions with other participants. It is a systematic exchange of information,
views and opinions about a topic, problem, issue or situation among the members of a
group who share some common objectives. As in a football game, where you play like a
team, passing the ball to each team member and aim for a common goal, group discussion
is also based on teamwork, incorporating views of different team members to reach a
common goal.

*They listen to others and elicit their ideas. They know how to balance the need for cohesion
within a group with the need for individual expression. Trust and self-
disclosure: Group members trust one another enough to share their own ideas and feelings.
It gives room for understanding among the team members for what needs to be done.

Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal or to complete a

task in the most effective and efficient way.[1][2]This concept is seen within the greater
framework of a team, which is a group of interdependent individuals who work together
towards a common goal.[3] Basic requirements for effective teamwork are an adequate team
size. The context is important, and team sizes can vary depending upon the objective. A
team must include at least 2 or more members, and most teams range in size from 2 to 100.
Sports teams generally have fixed sizes based upon set rules, and work teams may change
in size depending upon the phase and complexity of the objective. Teams need to be able to
leverage resources to be productive (i.e. playing fields or meeting spaces, scheduled times
for planning, guidance from coaches or supervisors, support from the organization, etc.),
and clearly defined roles within the team in order for everyone to have a clear
purpose.[4][5][6][7] Teamwork is present in any context where a group of people are working
together to achieve a common goal.[1] These contexts include an industrial organization
(formal work teams), athletics (sports teams), a school (classmates working on a project),
and the healthcare system (operating room teams). In each of these settings, the level of
teamwork and interdependence can vary from low (e.g. golf, track and field), to intermediate
(e.g. baseball, football), to high (e.g. basketball, soccer), depending on the amount of
communication, interaction, and collaboration present between team members.