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CMN 213 Exam 1
Theory - Answer -A way of organizing things to explain a phenomenon -How are we taking something that we observe and organizing in a way that can be understood small group communication - Answer -refers to interactions among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, and a shared identity. -3- Team vs. Group - Answer -group -a collection of individuals who coordinate their individual efforts. team -is a group of people who share a common team purpose and a number of challenging goals. Members of the team are mutually committed to the goals and to each other 4 Attributes of highly effective teams (difference between groups and teams) - Answer -1. Team goals are clear and specific
- Teams have well-defined team member responsibilities (positions)
- Rule for and expectations about how the team operates are spelled out
- Teams usually develop a clear way of coordinating their efforts
Purpose of theory - Answer -1. Theory: A abstract system of concepts with indications of the relationship between these concepts
- Concepts: Terms used to label importance of elements
- Prediction: predict the prevalence of a particular outcome
- Explanation: To understand why a specific relationship exists Levels of theory - Answer -Grand theory: General overview Mid-Range theory: Specific aspect of a theory Narrow-range Theory: Limited aspect of a phenomenon Two main types of theories - Answer -Process theories: About explanation Functions of a theory - Answer -1. Organization
- Expansion of knowledge
- Anticipate the future social exchange theory - Answer -the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs
- Comparison level of alternatives: social exchange theory argues that we are always internally judging how "valuable" our social relationships are. The comparison level of the alternative is how valuable we think our alternative option is, so for example if we are in a social relationship with Joe, our comparison level might be not being in a social relationship with Joe. What this would then mean in context is us internally weighing the pros and cons of being Joe's friend and deciding if it is worth it to continue being his friend.
- input (What does each member bring to achieve the goal): who is bringing what, do we have a recipe, do we know how to cook, who is coordinating, cookware, food/ingredients
- Process (how will you work together to achieve this goal): How everything fits together, how long does it take, combine everything, setting the table and eating, how will we access this food
- Outputs (what will the final product be): cooked and eaten lasagna Structuration theory - Answer -How people use rules and resources to structure their groups (grand theory) -When we join in a new group, we use rues and resources we've learned in other groups to structure our behavior
- Structuration: production and reproduction of a social system (observable patterns of integration and behavior)
- Based off of the rules and resources that are provided to you -Rules: about decision making -Resources: the thing that we have seen in our personal lives -Agency:
- Appropriations of the structuration -Faithful: using it the way it was intended -Ironic: using it the way it was intended but for a different outcome -Instrumental: Using the system as a way to accomplish your personal goals Functional Theory - Answer -Focuses on the key tasks for effective group problem solving and decision making Function: Effect or or consequence of a given behavior within a group system
Effective group problem solving and decision making are most likely to occur when group members....
- Attempt to satisfy task requirements
- Use communication to overcome constraints
- Review the process by which they arrive at decisions Ask: What is the consequence of this behaviors Identify and discover what the problem is and bring the solution into place with checks and analyzation of the problem. Very reflective thinking Symbolic Convergence Theory - Answer -People are motivated to form and continue relationships that are profitable
- Profit = reward - cost
- The reward is worth the cost Weights pros and cons in a system and the rewards must exceed the cost Major variables
- Outcomes: Perceived reward to cost ratio (reward-cost)
- Comparison Level: Perception of deserved cost to profit Satisfaction based on the perceived amount of work
- Satisfied Outcome = comparison level
- Highly satisfied Outcome > comparison level
- Dissatisfied Outcome < comparison level
goal: Fix it! Reduce uncertainty storming stage - Answer -Second stage of group development characterized by competition, conflict, and focus on individual needs -No one is pulling their weight -I am putting a lot in to this group and not getting a lot out of it -We both want to take charge and be a leader or vise-versa goal: Manage it! Communicate about your individual needs early on, and build a clear structure into your group to make it effective norming stage - Answer -Third stage of development characterized by negotiation, clear rules and guidelines and resolution conflict -We figured it out -Business as usual -I know my role in the group now goal: Maintain it! check in with the team to make sure the structure is working. Make changes as necessary performing stage - Answer -Fourth stage of development characterized by cooperation and productivity -Everyone knows their place on the team and is doing their part -Things are getting smooth -We are getting work done efficiently goal: Achieve it! Push your group outside of its comfort zone to exceed expectations Interpersonal Needs - Answer -1. Maslow's Hierarchy
- Schutz's
- FRIO-B (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Oriented-Behavior) Maslows hierarchy of needs - Answer -1. Psychological
- Safety
- Love/belonging
- Esteem
- Self-actualization Schutz's needs - Answer -1. Inclusion: Need to feel recognized and understood
- Control: Status and Power
- Affection: Emotional warmth and closeness Know examples of fallacies - Answer -A fallacy is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning, or "wrong moves" in the construction of an argument. A fallacious argument may be deceptive by appearing to be better than it really Anchoring - Answer -the tendancy to rely on a single piece of info or aspect of an event to inform decision making representative bias - Answer -the tendency to generalize from a small sample or a single event occurs when the similarity of objects or events confuses people's thinking regarding the probability of an outcome. People frequently make the mistake of believing that two similar things or events are more closely correlated than they actually are. availability bias - Answer -the tendency for people to base their judgments on information that is readily available to them -immediate examples that come to a given person's mind when evaluating a specific topic, concept, method or decision FRIO-B (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Oriented-Behavior) - Answer -Compared expressed total with wanted total to determine the extent to which you are willing to give as much behavior as you want to get
-Force-field Analysis Step 1: Identify and Define the Problem Phrase the problem as a policy questionUse the Journalist's Six Questions (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?) to help define the issues. Step 2: Analyze the Problem Use force field analysis to identify driving and restraining forces.Develop clear criteria that clarify the issues and can help in evaluating others. Step 3: Generate Several Possible Solutions Use brainstormingUse silent brainstorming (nominal group technique) or electronic brainstorming. Step 4: Evaulate Options and Select the Best Solution of Combination of Solutions Narrow alternative using ranking, rating, majority vote, or expert decision.Reach consensus by being goal-oriented, listening, and promoting honest dialogue. Step 5: Test and Implement the Solution Develop a clear action plan.Make a written list of who should do what. Planning for data collection - Answer -Talk with your client group
- Get permission to attend meetings (3 required)
- Get permission to interview specific people (3 required) Talk through logistics
- Who in your group will go to meetings? (at least 2)
- Who in your group will do the interviews? (at least 2)
- How will you take notes? Recordings on your laptop? hand-written?
Ethical Data Collection - Answer -1. Respect consent: Make sure that every group member know that you are observing them (who you are, why you are there, what they should do if they are uncomfortable)
- Right to privacy: Protect identities of you subject - use fake names when reporting to the class, keep information anonymous
- Protection from harm: Don't cause distress (physical, emotional, etc.) Qualitative Methods - Answer -1. Observations: -Observing things as they are actually happening; noticing and seeing a group and how they actually work together
- Interviews: -Talking to people about their perspective of what is happening These two things can be compared. -Why would we want to gather and compare these two types of data? -b/c You can see the two different sides of what's going on Interviewing - Answer -1. Have a conversation with participants in order to get their perception of something -Likely to answer broadly -We want detailed information as interviewers
- Goals: To get group member's perception of how their group is going -Primary questions: questions that your group wants to be sure to address -Probing questions: questions that for deeper into an answer; a follow-up question -Clarifying question: questions that affirm what they just stated, or clarify something they said
- Average of Individual Ranking Group members rank/rate choices, and the choices with the highest overall ranking or best ranking is selected
- Random choice Group members randomly select a choice so they can just move forward
- Majority rule Decision is made by agreement among the majority of the group members
- Decision by minority Group supports the decision by a vocal minority of group members
- Decision by consensus Through discussion, ALL members reach a decision that everyone supports A Problem: The Basic Elements - Answer -1. Something wrong: An undesirable existing situation
- Goal: A goal the group wishes to achieve
- Obstacles: Obstacle that keep the group from achieving this goal Barriers - Answer -1. Lack of planning
- Unsupportive social climate
- Lack of skill
- What problem do we have? -What's the anatomy of the problem? Three approaches to the study of problem - Answer -1. Descriptive approach Assumptions -There is a natural or normal process of group problem solving
-Groups will follow a normal problem solving approach unless some external authority interferes Models -Phase models -Spiraling model -Punctuated equilibrium models -Multisequence models
- Functional approach: Research has consistently identified five key functions performed by effective groups:
- Develop an accurate understanding of the problem
- Develop requirements for an acceptable solution
- Develop many alternatives to solve the problem (brainstorming)
- Asses the pros of the solutions for solving the problem
- Asses the cons of the solutions for solving the problems
- Prescriptive approach Assumptions -Group members are consistently rational -The prescribed agenda or set of techniques will result in a better solution Invites group members to perform certain behaviors in specific order to achieve goal -Provides a "roadmap" for problem solving -The more unstructured the problem, the greater the need for a presc Reflective thinking process - Answer -Step 1: identify problem Step 2: Analyze problem Step 3: Generate several solutions Step 4: Select the best possible solutions
