Communication Spring 2012 - Class 20 | 189 101, Study notes of Communication

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Communication 101

Spring 2012

Small Group

Communication

What is a Group?

• (^) A group is composed of individuals of varying motivations, emotions, perspectives, and needs who come together to negotiate a framework for communication that permits collective action.
• (^) A group is made of people who are interacting with one another in such a manner that each person is influences and is influenced by each other.
• (^) Groups have an independent goal.
  • (^) All members succeed or fail together in the accomplishment of the group’s purpose.
• (^) The ideal size of a group is the minimum number of people needed to accomplish the task.

Group Networking

• (^) Networking
  • The communicative patterns a group develops and is active through
• (^) Circle
  • (^) Each member communicates with some other member, not ALL members.
• (^) Wheel
  • (^) A “star” member connects all members.
• (^) Chain
  • (^) A linear form of communication (hierarchy)
• (^) All-Channel
  • (^) All group members can communicate with all other members.

Group Dynamics

• (^) Members of a group communicate to achieve (a)

goal(s) (decision making process).

• (^) Groups are subject to biases and social pressure
• (^) Groups may make collectively bad decisions due to

conformity pressures

• (^) Conversion
  • (^) Submitting or relenting to an alternate opinion because you now believe that alternate opinion to be true.
• (^) Conformity
  • (^) Submitting or relenting to an alternate opinion even though you believe that alternate opinion to be false.

Symptoms of Groupthink

• (^) Overestimation of the group – the sense that the group is

above all else and not vulnerable at all.

• (^) Close mindedness- the group ignores any outer

influences because they believe that they are better.

• (^) Out-group stereotypes.
• (^) Pressure toward informity – want everyone in the group

to think the same way.

Antecedent Conditions of Groupthink

• (^) Group cohesiveness
• (^) Group insulation.
• (^) Lack of impartial leadership.
• (^) Lack of decision making procedures
• (^) Similarity of group members.
• (^) Internal and external stress (time!)

Who is a Leader?

• (^) A leader can arise in two ways
• (^) Two approaches to leadership

Trait Perspective on Leadership

Characteristics of Effective Leaders