Understanding Small Group Communication: Purpose, Influence, and Dynamics, Slides of Theories of Communication

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Welcome!

Small Group

Communication

Ellen Waddell Instructor

AGENDA

• Orientation to course and review of

academic expectations

• Introduction to Communication
  • Basic Communication Theory
  • Courses in communication studies
• Introduction to Group Communication

Resources

• Communication Department website
• http://www.myspace.com/gavilan_trio_sss

Communicate?

• What does the term communicate mean?

Communication is (according to the class text): The Transfer of Meaning

 It is the deliberate or accidental transfer of meaning

 “Did you see how he looked at me?”

 Communication occurs whenever someone observes or experiences behavior and attributes (attaches) meaning to that behavior

 Communication is our link to the rest of humanity

Communication is…

• The process of sending and receiving messages and is both verbal and nonverbal (Fujishin)
• “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior” (Webster’s Dictionary)
• the process of acting on information; it is a transactive process where messages are sent and received simultaneously (Beebe & Masterson)

Functions of Communication

 Understanding and Insight  Develop self-awareness  Develops awareness of others  Helps us make sense out of the world in which we live.  Meaningful Relationships  “Needs for inclusion, control, and affection”  Influence and Persuasion  Influence each other subtly or overtly

Five Axioms of Communication

 Axiom 1: You Cannot Not Communicate

 Axiom 2: Every Interaction Has a Content Dimension and a Relationship Dimension

 Axiom 3: Every Interaction Is Defined by How It Is Punctuated

 Axiom 4: Messages Consist of Verbal Symbols and Nonverbal Clues

 Axiom 5: Interactions Are Either Symmetrical or Complementary

Communication Studies

• Communication vs. Communication s
• Topics of instruction:
  • The Self Concept
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Small Group Communication
  • Inter cultural/ Intra cultural Communication
  • Organizational Communication/Culture
    • Business/Professional communication
  • Education/Public Speaking
  • Debate/Forensic Communication

Possible Careers with Communication Degree

• Lawyer, Negotiator, Mediator
• High School English Teacher or High School Counselor
• Graduate Student in any of the Humanities or allied Social Sciences
• Literature, Ethnic Studies, History, Communication Professor
• Journalist, Copywriter, Publisher, Editor
• Public Relations, Advertising Professional
• Poet, Novelist, Essayist
• Ethnographer, Museum Specialist, Librarian
• Community Spokesperson, Social Issue Advocate
• Management/All Fields whether for-profit, or not-for-profit
• Other careers requiring strong critical thinking skills; oral, written, visual and technologically-mediated research and communication abilities; decision making and related communication knowledge and abilities.

Formation of Self-Concept

 The messages you give yourself = self talk

 Self fulfilling prophecy

 We act in a way that supports and reproduces messages

 I just can’t figure out math…I was born that way…it’s the way my brain is wired  I just can’t speak in front of an audience…I am too scared  I don’t think I am cut out for college…I am too dumb

 What messages have you told yourself about college?  Are these messages true?

AGENDA UPDATE

So far we have:

• reviewed the course syllabus and also its academic expectations
• looked at basic communication theory
• considered the courses available in the academic field of communication.
• considered self-talk

Now, let’s focus on Small Group Communication

Mediated Communication:

Increasingly, small group communication is occurring in mediated situations. Mediated communication occurs in a setting where the channel of communication is a phone line, fiber optic cable, TV, signal, or other means of sending messages to others. While mediated communication helps to connect those who would not otherwise be able to communicate, the small group process works best when group members can be physically in the same location, experiencing both the verbal and nonverbal communication occurring within the group process.

Where do groups/teams form?

There is a contextual

application for the

formation of groups/teams:

 work  family  social  religious  self-help groups  activist causes  school