group communication essay

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13.1 Understanding Small Groups

Learning objectives.

Define small group communication.
Discuss the characteristics of small groups.
Explain the functions of small groups.
Compare and contrast different types of small groups.
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of small groups.

Most of the communication skills discussed in this book are directed toward dyadic communication, meaning that they are applied in two-person interactions. While many of these skills can be transferred to and used in small group contexts, the more complex nature of group interaction necessitates some adaptation and some additional skills. Small group communication refers to interactions among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, and a shared identity. In this section, we will learn about the characteristics, functions, and types of small groups.

Characteristics of Small Groups

Different groups have different characteristics, serve different purposes, and can lead to positive, neutral, or negative experiences. While our interpersonal relationships primarily focus on relationship building, small groups usually focus on some sort of task completion or goal accomplishment. A college learning community focused on math and science, a campaign team for a state senator, and a group of local organic farmers are examples of small groups that would all have a different size, structure, identity, and interaction pattern.

Size of Small Groups

There is no set number of members for the ideal small group. A small group requires a minimum of three people (because two people would be a pair or dyad), but the upper range of group size is contingent on the purpose of the group. When groups grow beyond fifteen to twenty members, it becomes difficult to consider them a small group based on the previous definition. An analysis of the number of unique connections between members of small groups shows that they are deceptively complex. For example, within a six-person group, there are fifteen separate potential dyadic connections, and a twelve-person group would have sixty-six potential dyadic connections (Hargie, 2011). As you can see, when we double the number of group members, we more than double the number of connections, which shows that network connection points in small groups grow exponentially as membership increases. So, while there is no set upper limit on the number of group members, it makes sense that the number of group members should be limited to those necessary to accomplish the goal or serve the purpose of the group. Small groups that add too many members increase the potential for group members to feel overwhelmed or disconnected.

Structure of Small Groups

Internal and external influences affect a group’s structure. In terms of internal influences, member characteristics play a role in initial group formation. For instance, a person who is well informed about the group’s task and/or highly motivated as a group member may emerge as a leader and set into motion internal decision-making processes, such as recruiting new members or assigning group roles, that affect the structure of a group (Ellis & Fisher, 1994). Different members will also gravitate toward different roles within the group and will advocate for certain procedures and courses of action over others. External factors such as group size, task, and resources also affect group structure. Some groups will have more control over these external factors through decision making than others. For example, a commission that is put together by a legislative body to look into ethical violations in athletic organizations will likely have less control over its external factors than a self-created weekly book club.

A self-formed study group likely has a more flexible structure than a city council committee.

William Rotza – Group – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Group structure is also formed through formal and informal network connections. In terms of formal networks, groups may have clearly defined roles and responsibilities or a hierarchy that shows how members are connected. The group itself may also be a part of an organizational hierarchy that networks the group into a larger organizational structure. This type of formal network is especially important in groups that have to report to external stakeholders. These external stakeholders may influence the group’s formal network, leaving the group little or no control over its structure. Conversely, groups have more control over their informal networks, which are connections among individuals within the group and among group members and people outside of the group that aren’t official. For example, a group member’s friend or relative may be able to secure a space to hold a fundraiser at a discounted rate, which helps the group achieve its task. Both types of networks are important because they may help facilitate information exchange within a group and extend a group’s reach in order to access other resources.

Size and structure also affect communication within a group (Ellis & Fisher, 1994). In terms of size, the more people in a group, the more issues with scheduling and coordination of communication. Remember that time is an important resource in most group interactions and a resource that is usually strained. Structure can increase or decrease the flow of communication. Reachability refers to the way in which one member is or isn’t connected to other group members. For example, the “Circle” group structure in Figure 13.1 “Small Group Structures” shows that each group member is connected to two other members. This can make coordination easy when only one or two people need to be brought in for a decision. In this case, Erik and Callie are very reachable by Winston, who could easily coordinate with them. However, if Winston needed to coordinate with Bill or Stephanie, he would have to wait on Erik or Callie to reach that person, which could create delays. The circle can be a good structure for groups who are passing along a task and in which each member is expected to progressively build on the others’ work. A group of scholars coauthoring a research paper may work in such a manner, with each person adding to the paper and then passing it on to the next person in the circle. In this case, they can ask the previous person questions and write with the next person’s area of expertise in mind. The “Wheel” group structure in Figure 13.1 “Small Group Structures” shows an alternative organization pattern. In this structure, Tara is very reachable by all members of the group. This can be a useful structure when Tara is the person with the most expertise in the task or the leader who needs to review and approve work at each step before it is passed along to other group members. But Phillip and Shadow, for example, wouldn’t likely work together without Tara being involved.

Figure 13.1 Small Group Structures

Looking at the group structures, we can make some assumptions about the communication that takes place in them. The wheel is an example of a centralized structure, while the circle is decentralized. Research has shown that centralized groups are better than decentralized groups in terms of speed and efficiency (Ellis & Fisher, 1994). But decentralized groups are more effective at solving complex problems. In centralized groups like the wheel, the person with the most connections, person C, is also more likely to be the leader of the group or at least have more status among group members, largely because that person has a broad perspective of what’s going on in the group. The most central person can also act as a gatekeeper. Since this person has access to the most information, which is usually a sign of leadership or status, he or she could consciously decide to limit the flow of information. But in complex tasks, that person could become overwhelmed by the burden of processing and sharing information with all the other group members. The circle structure is more likely to emerge in groups where collaboration is the goal and a specific task and course of action isn’t required under time constraints. While the person who initiated the group or has the most expertise in regards to the task may emerge as a leader in a decentralized group, the equal access to information lessens the hierarchy and potential for gatekeeping that is present in the more centralized groups.

Interdependence

Small groups exhibit interdependence , meaning they share a common purpose and a common fate. If the actions of one or two group members lead to a group deviating from or not achieving their purpose, then all members of the group are affected. Conversely, if the actions of only a few of the group members lead to success, then all members of the group benefit. This is a major contributor to many college students’ dislike of group assignments, because they feel a loss of control and independence that they have when they complete an assignment alone. This concern is valid in that their grades might suffer because of the negative actions of someone else or their hard work may go to benefit the group member who just skated by. Group meeting attendance is a clear example of the interdependent nature of group interaction. Many of us have arrived at a group meeting only to find half of the members present. In some cases, the group members who show up have to leave and reschedule because they can’t accomplish their task without the other members present. Group members who attend meetings but withdraw or don’t participate can also derail group progress. Although it can be frustrating to have your job, grade, or reputation partially dependent on the actions of others, the interdependent nature of groups can also lead to higher-quality performance and output, especially when group members are accountable for their actions.

Shared Identity

The shared identity of a group manifests in several ways. Groups may have official charters or mission and vision statements that lay out the identity of a group. For example, the Girl Scout mission states that “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place” (Girl Scouts, 2012). The mission for this large organization influences the identities of the thousands of small groups called troops. Group identity is often formed around a shared goal and/or previous accomplishments, which adds dynamism to the group as it looks toward the future and back on the past to inform its present. Shared identity can also be exhibited through group names, slogans, songs, handshakes, clothing, or other symbols. At a family reunion, for example, matching t-shirts specially made for the occasion, dishes made from recipes passed down from generation to generation, and shared stories of family members that have passed away help establish a shared identity and social reality.

A key element of the formation of a shared identity within a group is the establishment of the in-group as opposed to the out-group. The degree to which members share in the in-group identity varies from person to person and group to group. Even within a family, some members may not attend a reunion or get as excited about the matching t-shirts as others. Shared identity also emerges as groups become cohesive, meaning they identify with and like the group’s task and other group members. The presence of cohesion and a shared identity leads to a building of trust, which can also positively influence productivity and members’ satisfaction.

Functions of Small Groups

Why do we join groups? Even with the challenges of group membership that we have all faced, we still seek out and desire to be a part of numerous groups. In some cases, we join a group because we need a service or access to information. We may also be drawn to a group because we admire the group or its members. Whether we are conscious of it or not, our identities and self-concepts are built on the groups with which we identify. So, to answer the earlier question, we join groups because they function to help us meet instrumental, interpersonal, and identity needs.

Groups Meet Instrumental Needs

Groups have long served the instrumental needs of humans, helping with the most basic elements of survival since ancient humans first evolved. Groups helped humans survive by providing security and protection through increased numbers and access to resources. Today, groups are rarely such a matter of life and death, but they still serve important instrumental functions. Labor unions, for example, pool efforts and resources to attain material security in the form of pay increases and health benefits for their members, which protects them by providing a stable and dependable livelihood. Individual group members must also work to secure the instrumental needs of the group, creating a reciprocal relationship. Members of labor unions pay dues that help support the group’s efforts. Some groups also meet our informational needs. Although they may not provide material resources, they enrich our knowledge or provide information that we can use to then meet our own instrumental needs. Many groups provide referrals to resources or offer advice. For example, several consumer protection and advocacy groups have been formed to offer referrals for people who have been the victim of fraudulent business practices. Whether a group forms to provide services to members that they couldn’t get otherwise, advocate for changes that will affect members’ lives, or provide information, many groups meet some type of instrumental need.

Groups Meet Interpersonal Needs

Group membership meets interpersonal needs by giving us access to inclusion, control, and support. In terms of inclusion, people have a fundamental drive to be a part of a group and to create and maintain social bonds. As we’ve learned, humans have always lived and worked in small groups. Family and friendship groups, shared-interest groups, and activity groups all provide us with a sense of belonging and being included in an in-group. People also join groups because they want to have some control over a decision-making process or to influence the outcome of a group. Being a part of a group allows people to share opinions and influence others. Conversely, some people join a group to be controlled, because they don’t want to be the sole decision maker or leader and instead want to be given a role to follow.

Just as we enter into interpersonal relationships because we like someone, we are drawn toward a group when we are attracted to it and/or its members. Groups also provide support for others in ways that supplement the support that we get from significant others in interpersonal relationships. Some groups, like therapy groups for survivors of sexual assault or support groups for people with cancer, exist primarily to provide emotional support. While these groups may also meet instrumental needs through connections and referrals to resources, they fulfill the interpersonal need for belonging that is a central human need.

Groups Meet Identity Needs

Our affiliations are building blocks for our identities, because group membership allows us to use reference groups for social comparison—in short, identifying us with some groups and characteristics and separating us from others. Some people join groups to be affiliated with people who share similar or desirable characteristics in terms of beliefs, attitudes, values, or cultural identities. For example, people may join the National Organization for Women because they want to affiliate with others who support women’s rights or a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) because they want to affiliate with African Americans, people concerned with civil rights, or a combination of the two. Group memberships vary in terms of how much they affect our identity, as some are more prominent than others at various times in our lives. While religious groups as a whole are too large to be considered small groups, the work that people do as a part of a religious community—as a lay leader, deacon, member of a prayer group, or committee—may have deep ties to a person’s identity.

Group membership helps meet our interpersonal needs by providing an opportunity for affection and inclusion.

Lostintheredwoods – Spiral of Hands – CC BY-ND 2.0.

The prestige of a group can initially attract us because we want that group’s identity to “rub off” on our own identity. Likewise, the achievements we make as a group member can enhance our self-esteem, add to our reputation, and allow us to create or project certain identity characteristics to engage in impression management. For example, a person may take numerous tests to become a part of Mensa, which is an organization for people with high IQs, for no material gain but for the recognition or sense of achievement that the affiliation may bring. Likewise, people may join sports teams, professional organizations, and honor societies for the sense of achievement and affiliation. Such groups allow us opportunities to better ourselves by encouraging further development of skills or knowledge. For example, a person who used to play the oboe in high school may join the community band to continue to improve on his or her ability.

Types of Small Groups

There are many types of small groups, but the most common distinction made between types of small groups is that of task-oriented and relational-oriented groups (Hargie, 2011). Task-oriented groups are formed to solve a problem, promote a cause, or generate ideas or information (McKay, Davis, & Fanning, 1995). In such groups, like a committee or study group, interactions and decisions are primarily evaluated based on the quality of the final product or output. The three main types of tasks are production, discussion, and problem-solving tasks (Ellis & Fisher, 1994). Groups faced with production tasks are asked to produce something tangible from their group interactions such as a report, design for a playground, musical performance, or fundraiser event. Groups faced with discussion tasks are asked to talk through something without trying to come up with a right or wrong answer. Examples of this type of group include a support group for people with HIV/AIDS, a book club, or a group for new fathers. Groups faced with problem-solving tasks have to devise a course of action to meet a specific need. These groups also usually include a production and discussion component, but the end goal isn’t necessarily a tangible product or a shared social reality through discussion. Instead, the end goal is a well-thought-out idea. Task-oriented groups require honed problem-solving skills to accomplish goals, and the structure of these groups is more rigid than that of relational-oriented groups.

Relational-oriented groups are formed to promote interpersonal connections and are more focused on quality interactions that contribute to the well-being of group members. Decision making is directed at strengthening or repairing relationships rather than completing discrete tasks or debating specific ideas or courses of action. All groups include task and relational elements, so it’s best to think of these orientations as two ends of a continuum rather than as mutually exclusive. For example, although a family unit works together daily to accomplish tasks like getting the kids ready for school and friendship groups may plan a surprise party for one of the members, their primary and most meaningful interactions are still relational. Since other chapters in this book focus specifically on interpersonal relationships, this chapter focuses more on task-oriented groups and the dynamics that operate within these groups.

To more specifically look at the types of small groups that exist, we can examine why groups form. Some groups are formed based on interpersonal relationships. Our family and friends are considered primary groups , or long-lasting groups that are formed based on relationships and include significant others. These are the small groups in which we interact most frequently. They form the basis of our society and our individual social realities. Kinship networks provide important support early in life and meet physiological and safety needs, which are essential for survival. They also meet higher-order needs such as social and self-esteem needs. When people do not interact with their biological family, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, they can establish fictive kinship networks, which are composed of people who are not biologically related but fulfill family roles and help provide the same support.

We also interact in many secondary groups , which are characterized by less frequent face-to-face interactions, less emotional and relational communication, and more task-related communication than primary groups (Barker, 1991). While we are more likely to participate in secondary groups based on self-interest, our primary-group interactions are often more reciprocal or other oriented. For example, we may join groups because of a shared interest or need.

Groups formed based on shared interest include social groups and leisure groups such as a group of independent film buffs, science fiction fans, or bird watchers. Some groups form to meet the needs of individuals or of a particular group of people. Examples of groups that meet the needs of individuals include study groups or support groups like a weight loss group. These groups are focused on individual needs, even though they meet as a group, and they are also often discussion oriented. Service groups, on the other hand, work to meet the needs of individuals but are task oriented. Service groups include Habitat for Humanity and Rotary Club chapters, among others. Still other groups form around a shared need, and their primary task is advocacy. For example, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis is a group that was formed by a small group of eight people in the early 1980s to advocate for resources and support for the still relatively unknown disease that would later be known as AIDS. Similar groups form to advocate for everything from a stop sign at a neighborhood intersection to the end of human trafficking.

As we already learned, other groups are formed primarily to accomplish a task. Teams are task-oriented groups in which members are especially loyal and dedicated to the task and other group members (Larson & LaFasto, 1989). In professional and civic contexts, the word team has become popularized as a means of drawing on the positive connotations of the term—connotations such as “high-spirited,” “cooperative,” and “hardworking.” Scholars who have spent years studying highly effective teams have identified several common factors related to their success. Successful teams have (Adler & Elmhorst, 2005)

clear and inspiring shared goals,
a results-driven structure,
competent team members,
a collaborative climate,
high standards for performance,
external support and recognition, and
ethical and accountable leadership.

Increasingly, small groups and teams are engaging in more virtual interaction. Virtual groups take advantage of new technologies and meet exclusively or primarily online to achieve their purpose or goal. Some virtual groups may complete their task without ever being physically face-to-face. Virtual groups bring with them distinct advantages and disadvantages that you can read more about in the “Getting Plugged In” feature next.

“Getting Plugged In”

Virtual Groups

Virtual groups are now common in academic, professional, and personal contexts, as classes meet entirely online, work teams interface using webinar or video-conferencing programs, and people connect around shared interests in a variety of online settings. Virtual groups are popular in professional contexts because they can bring together people who are geographically dispersed (Ahuja & Galvin, 2003). Virtual groups also increase the possibility for the inclusion of diverse members. The ability to transcend distance means that people with diverse backgrounds and diverse perspectives are more easily accessed than in many offline groups.

One disadvantage of virtual groups stems from the difficulties that technological mediation presents for the relational and social dimensions of group interactions (Walther & Bunz, 2005). As we will learn later in this chapter, an important part of coming together as a group is the socialization of group members into the desired norms of the group. Since norms are implicit, much of this information is learned through observation or conveyed informally from one group member to another. In fact, in traditional groups, group members passively acquire 50 percent or more of their knowledge about group norms and procedures, meaning they observe rather than directly ask (Comer, 1991). Virtual groups experience more difficulty with this part of socialization than copresent traditional groups do, since any form of electronic mediation takes away some of the richness present in face-to-face interaction.

To help overcome these challenges, members of virtual groups should be prepared to put more time and effort into building the relational dimensions of their group. Members of virtual groups need to make the social cues that guide new members’ socialization more explicit than they would in an offline group (Ahuja & Galvin, 2003). Group members should also contribute often, even if just supporting someone else’s contribution, because increased participation has been shown to increase liking among members of virtual groups (Walther & Bunz, 2005). Virtual group members should also make an effort to put relational content that might otherwise be conveyed through nonverbal or contextual means into the verbal part of a message, as members who include little social content in their messages or only communicate about the group’s task are more negatively evaluated. Virtual groups who do not overcome these challenges will likely struggle to meet deadlines, interact less frequently, and experience more absenteeism. What follows are some guidelines to help optimize virtual groups (Walter & Bunz, 2005):

Get started interacting as a group as early as possible, since it takes longer to build social cohesion.
Interact frequently to stay on task and avoid having work build up.
Start working toward completing the task while initial communication about setup, organization, and procedures are taking place.
Respond overtly to other people’s messages and contributions.
Be explicit about your reactions and thoughts since typical nonverbal expressions may not be received as easily in virtual groups as they would be in colocated groups.
Set deadlines and stick to them.
Make a list of some virtual groups to which you currently belong or have belonged to in the past. What are some differences between your experiences in virtual groups versus traditional colocated groups?
What are some group tasks or purposes that you think lend themselves to being accomplished in a virtual setting? What are some group tasks or purposes that you think would be best handled in a traditional colocated setting? Explain your answers for each.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Small Groups

As with anything, small groups have their advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of small groups include shared decision making, shared resources, synergy, and exposure to diversity. It is within small groups that most of the decisions that guide our country, introduce local laws, and influence our family interactions are made. In a democratic society, participation in decision making is a key part of citizenship. Groups also help in making decisions involving judgment calls that have ethical implications or the potential to negatively affect people. Individuals making such high-stakes decisions in a vacuum could have negative consequences given the lack of feedback, input, questioning, and proposals for alternatives that would come from group interaction. Group members also help expand our social networks, which provide access to more resources. A local community-theater group may be able to put on a production with a limited budget by drawing on these connections to get set-building supplies, props, costumes, actors, and publicity in ways that an individual could not. The increased knowledge, diverse perspectives, and access to resources that groups possess relates to another advantage of small groups—synergy.

Synergy refers to the potential for gains in performance or heightened quality of interactions when complementary members or member characteristics are added to existing ones (Larson Jr., 2010). Because of synergy, the final group product can be better than what any individual could have produced alone. When I worked in housing and residence life, I helped coordinate a “World Cup Soccer Tournament” for the international students that lived in my residence hall. As a group, we created teams representing different countries around the world, made brackets for people to track progress and predict winners, got sponsors, gathered prizes, and ended up with a very successful event that would not have been possible without the synergy created by our collective group membership. The members of this group were also exposed to international diversity that enriched our experiences, which is also an advantage of group communication.

Participating in groups can also increase our exposure to diversity and broaden our perspectives. Although groups vary in the diversity of their members, we can strategically choose groups that expand our diversity, or we can unintentionally end up in a diverse group. When we participate in small groups, we expand our social networks, which increase the possibility to interact with people who have different cultural identities than ourselves. Since group members work together toward a common goal, shared identification with the task or group can give people with diverse backgrounds a sense of commonality that they might not have otherwise. Even when group members share cultural identities, the diversity of experience and opinion within a group can lead to broadened perspectives as alternative ideas are presented and opinions are challenged and defended. One of my favorite parts of facilitating class discussion is when students with different identities and/or perspectives teach one another things in ways that I could not on my own. This example brings together the potential of synergy and diversity. People who are more introverted or just avoid group communication and voluntarily distance themselves from groups—or are rejected from groups—risk losing opportunities to learn more about others and themselves.

A social loafer is a dreaded group member who doesn’t do his or her share of the work, expecting that others on the group won’t notice or will pick up the slack.

Henry Burrows – Sleeping On The Job – CC BY-SA 2.0.

There are also disadvantages to small group interaction. In some cases, one person can be just as or more effective than a group of people. Think about a situation in which a highly specialized skill or knowledge is needed to get something done. In this situation, one very knowledgeable person is probably a better fit for the task than a group of less knowledgeable people. Group interaction also has a tendency to slow down the decision-making process. Individuals connected through a hierarchy or chain of command often work better in situations where decisions must be made under time constraints. When group interaction does occur under time constraints, having one “point person” or leader who coordinates action and gives final approval or disapproval on ideas or suggestions for actions is best.

Group communication also presents interpersonal challenges. A common problem is coordinating and planning group meetings due to busy and conflicting schedules. Some people also have difficulty with the other-centeredness and self-sacrifice that some groups require. The interdependence of group members that we discussed earlier can also create some disadvantages. Group members may take advantage of the anonymity of a group and engage in social loafing , meaning they contribute less to the group than other members or than they would if working alone (Karau & Williams, 1993). Social loafers expect that no one will notice their behaviors or that others will pick up their slack. It is this potential for social loafing that makes many students and professionals dread group work, especially those who have a tendency to cover for other group members to prevent the social loafer from diminishing the group’s productivity or output.

“Getting Competent”

Improving Your Group Experiences

Like many of you, I also had some negative group experiences in college that made me think similarly to a student who posted the following on a teaching blog: “Group work is code for ‘work as a group for a grade less than what you can get if you work alone’” (Weimer, 2008). But then I took a course called “Small Group and Team Communication” with an amazing teacher who later became one of my most influential mentors. She emphasized the fact that we all needed to increase our knowledge about group communication and group dynamics in order to better our group communication experiences—and she was right. So the first piece of advice to help you start improving your group experiences is to closely study the group communication chapters in this textbook and to apply what you learn to your group interactions. Neither students nor faculty are born knowing how to function as a group, yet students and faculty often think we’re supposed to learn as we go, which increases the likelihood of a negative experience.

A second piece of advice is to meet often with your group (Myers & Goodboy, 2005). Of course, to do this you have to overcome some scheduling and coordination difficulties, but putting other things aside to work as a group helps set up a norm that group work is important and worthwhile. Regular meetings also allow members to interact with each other, which can increase social bonds, build a sense of interdependence that can help diminish social loafing, and establish other important rules and norms that will guide future group interaction. Instead of committing to frequent meetings, many student groups use their first meeting to equally divide up the group’s tasks so they can then go off and work alone (not as a group). While some group work can definitely be done independently, dividing up the work and assigning someone to put it all together doesn’t allow group members to take advantage of one of the most powerful advantages of group work—synergy.

Last, establish group expectations and follow through with them. I recommend that my students come up with a group name and create a contract of group guidelines during their first meeting (both of which I learned from my group communication teacher whom I referenced earlier). The group name helps begin to establish a shared identity, which then contributes to interdependence and improves performance. The contract of group guidelines helps make explicit the group norms that might have otherwise been left implicit. Each group member contributes to the contract and then they all sign it. Groups often make guidelines about how meetings will be run, what to do about lateness and attendance, the type of climate they’d like for discussion, and other relevant expectations. If group members end up falling short of these expectations, the other group members can remind the straying member of the contact and the fact that he or she signed it. If the group encounters further issues, they can use the contract as a basis for evaluating the other group member or for communicating with the instructor.

Do you agree with the student’s quote about group work that was included at the beginning? Why or why not?
The second recommendation is to meet more with your group. Acknowledging that schedules are difficult to coordinate and that that is not really going to change, what are some strategies that you could use to overcome that challenge in order to get time together as a group?
What are some guidelines that you think you’d like to include in your contract with a future group?

Key Takeaways

Getting integrated: Small group communication refers to interactions among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, and a shared identity. Small groups are important communication units in academic, professional, civic, and personal contexts.

Several characteristics influence small groups, including size, structure, interdependence, and shared identity.

In terms of size, small groups must consist of at least three people, but there is no set upper limit on the number of group members. The ideal number of group members is the smallest number needed to competently complete the group’s task or achieve the group’s purpose.
Internal influences such as member characteristics and external factors such as the group’s size, task, and access to resources affect a group’s structure. A group’s structure also affects how group members communicate, as some structures are more centralized and hierarchical and other structures are more decentralized and equal.
Groups are interdependent in that they have a shared purpose and a shared fate, meaning that each group member’s actions affect every other group member.
Groups develop a shared identity based on their task or purpose, previous accomplishments, future goals, and an identity that sets their members apart from other groups.

Small groups serve several functions as they meet instrumental, interpersonal, and identity needs.

Groups meet instrumental needs, as they allow us to pool resources and provide access to information to better help us survive and succeed.
Groups meet interpersonal needs, as they provide a sense of belonging (inclusion), an opportunity to participate in decision making and influence others (control), and emotional support.
Groups meet identity needs, as they offer us a chance to affiliate ourselves with others whom we perceive to be like us or whom we admire and would like to be associated with.

There are various types of groups, including task-oriented, relational-oriented, primary, and secondary groups, as well as teams.

Task-oriented groups are formed to solve a problem, promote a cause, or generate ideas or information, while relational-oriented groups are formed to promote interpersonal connections. While there are elements of both in every group, the overall purpose of a group can usually be categorized as primarily task or relational oriented.
Primary groups are long-lasting groups that are formed based on interpersonal relationships and include family and friendship groups, and secondary groups are characterized by less frequent interaction and less emotional and relational communication than in primary groups. Our communication in primary groups is more frequently other oriented than our communication in secondary groups, which is often self-oriented.
Teams are similar to task-oriented groups, but they are characterized by a high degree of loyalty and dedication to the group’s task and to other group members.
Advantages of group communication include shared decision making, shared resources, synergy, and exposure to diversity. Disadvantages of group communication include unnecessary group formation (when the task would be better performed by one person), difficulty coordinating schedules, and difficulty with accountability and social loafing.
A study group for this class
A committee to decide on library renovation plans
An upper-level college class in your major
A group to advocate for more awareness of and support for abandoned animals
List some groups to which you have belonged that focused primarily on tasks and then list some that focused primarily on relationships. Compare and contrast your experiences in these groups.
Synergy is one of the main advantages of small group communication. Explain a time when a group you were in benefited from or failed to achieve synergy. What contributed to your success/failure?

Adler, R. B., and Jeanne Marquardt Elmhorst, Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Businesses and the Professions , 8th ed. (Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2005), 248–50.

Ahuja, M. K., and John E. Galvin, “Socialization in Virtual Groups,” Journal of Management 29, no. 2 (2003): 163.

Barker, D. B., “The Behavioral Analysis of Interpersonal Intimacy in Group Development,” Small Group Research 22, no. 1 (1991): 79.

Comer, D. R., “Organizational Newcomers’ Acquisition of Information from Peers,” Management Communication Quarterly 5, no. 1 (1991): 64–89.

Ellis, D. G., and B. Aubrey Fisher, Small Group Decision Making: Communication and the Group Process , 4th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1994), 57.

Girl Scouts, “Facts,” accessed July 15, 2012, http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts .

Hargie, O., Skilled Interpersonal Interaction: Research, Theory, and Practice , 5th ed. (London: Routledge, 2011), 452–53.

Karau, S. J., and Kipling D. Williams, “Social Loafing: A Meta-Analytic Review and Theoretical Integration,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 65, no. 4 (1993): 681.

Larson, C. E., and Frank M. J. LaFasto, TeamWork: What Must Go Right/What Must Go Wrong (Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1989), 73.

Larson Jr., J. R., In Search of Synergy in Small Group Performance (New York: Psychology Press, 2010).

McKay, M., Martha Davis, and Patrick Fanning, Messages: Communication Skills Book , 2nd ed. (Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 1995), 254.

Myers, S. A., and Alan K. Goodboy, “A Study of Grouphate in a Course on Small Group Communication,” Psychological Reports 97, no. 2 (2005): 385.

Walther, J. B., and Ulla Bunz, “The Rules of Virtual Groups: Trust, Liking, and Performance in Computer-Mediated Communication,” Journal of Communication 55, no. 4 (2005): 830.

Weimer, M., “Why Students Hate Groups,” The Teaching Professor , July 1, 2008, accessed July 15, 2012, http://www.teachingprofessor.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/why-students-hate-groups .

Communication in the Real World Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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1.1: Why Study Group Communication?

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Learning Objectives

Understand the importance of group communication

Communication is key to your success, in relationships, in the workplace, as a citizen of your country, and across your lifetime. Your ability to communicate comes from experience, which can be an effective teacher, but this text and the related group communication course will offer you a wealth of experiences gathered from professionals across their lifetimes. You can learn from the lessons they’ve learned and be a more effective team and group communicator right out of the gate. According to Ken Boughrum, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, and Tyler Durham, Vice President and Managing Consultant, Stromberg Consulting, “Great teams are distinguished from good teams by how effectively they communicate. Great team communication is more than the words that are said or written. Power is leveraged by the team’s ability to actively listen, clarify, understand, and live by the principle that “everything communicates.” The actions, the tone, the gestures, the infrastructure, the environment and the things that are no done or said speak and inform just as loudly as words.O’Rourke, J., and Yarbrough, B, (2008). Leading Groups and Teams. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning, p. 2. Effective teams and groups start with effective communication.

Communication Influences Your Thinking about Yourself and Others

We all share a fundamental drive to communicate. Communication can be defined as the process of understanding and sharing meaning. Pearson, J., & Nelson, P. (2000). An Introduction to Human Communication: Understanding and Sharing. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. p. 6. You share meaning in what you say and how you say it, both in oral and written forms. If you could not communicate, what would life be like? A series of never-ending frustrations? Not being able to ask for what you need, or even to understand the needs of others?

Being unable to communicate might even mean losing a part of yourself, for you communicate your self-concept—your sense of self and awareness of who you are—in many ways. Do you like to write? Do you find it easy to make a phone call to a stranger, or to speak to a room full of people? Do you like to work in teams and groups? Perhaps someone told you that you don’t speak clearly, or your grammar needs improvement. Does that make you more or less likely to want to communicate? For some, it may be a positive challenge, while for others it may be discouraging, but in all cases, your ability to communicate is central to your self-concept.

Take a look at your clothes. What are the brands you are wearing? What do you think they say about you? Do you feel that certain styles of shoes, jewelry, tattoos, music, or even automobiles express who you are? Part of your self-concept may be that you express yourself through texting, or through writing longer documents like essays and research papers, or through the way you speak. Those labels and brands in some ways communicate with your group or community. They are recognized, and to some degree, are associated with you. Just as your words represent you in writing, how you present yourself with symbols and images influences how others perceive you.

On the other side of the coin, your communication skills help you to understand others—not just their words, but also their tone of voice, their nonverbal gestures, or the format of their written documents provide you with clues about who they are and what their values and priorities may be. Active listening and reading are also part of being a successful communicator.

Communication Influences How You Learn

When you were an infant, you learned to talk over a period of many months. There was a group of caregivers around you that talked to each other, and sometimes you, and you caught on that you could get something when you used a word correctly. Before you knew it you were speaking in sentences, with words, in a language you learned from your family or those around you. When you got older, you didn’t learn to ride a bike, drive a car, or even text a message on your cell phone in one brief moment. You need to begin the process of improving your communication skills with the frame of mind that it will require effort, persistence, and self-correction.

You learn to speak in public by first having conversations, then by answering questions and expressing your opinions in class, and finally by preparing and delivering a “stand-up” speech. Similarly, you learn to write by first learning to read, then by writing and learning to think critically. Your speaking and writing are reflections of your thoughts, experience, and education, and part of that combination is your level of experience listening to other speakers, reading documents and styles of writing, and studying formats similar to what you aim to produce. Speaking and writing are both key communication skills that you will use in teams and groups.

As you study group communication, you may receive suggestions for improvement and clarification from professionals more experienced than yourself. Take their suggestions as challenges to improve, don’t give up when your first speech or first draft does not communicate the message you intend. Stick with it until you get it right. Your success in communicating is a skill that applies to almost every field of work, and it makes a difference in your relationships with others.

Remember, luck is simply a combination of preparation and timing. You want to be prepared to communicate well when given the opportunity. Each time you do a good job, your success will bring more success.

Communication Represents You and Your Employer

You want to make a good first impression on your friends and family, on your instructors, and on your employer. They all want you to convey a positive image, as it reflects on them. In your career, you will represent your business or company in teams and groups, and your professionalism and attention to detail will reflect positively on you and set you up for success.

As an effective member of the team, you will benefit from having the ability to communicate clearly and with clarity. These are skills you will use for the rest of your life. Positive improvements in these skills will have a positive impact on your relationships, your prospects for employment, and your ability to make a difference in the world.

Communication Skills Are Desired by Business and Industry

Oral and written communication proficiencies are consistently ranked in the top ten desirable skills by employer surveys year after year. In fact, high-powered business executives sometimes hire consultants to coach them in sharpening their communication skills. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top five personal qualities/skills potential employers seek are (NACE, 2009):

Communication skills (verbal and written)
Strong work ethic
Teamwork skills (works well with others, group communication)
Analytical Skills

Knowing this, you can see that one way for you to be successful and increase your promotion potential is to increase your abilities to speak and write effectively.

Teams and groups are almost universal across all fields because no one personal has all the skills, knowledge, or ability to do everything with an equal degree of excellence. Employees work with each other in manufacturing and service industries on a daily basis. An individual with excellent communication skills is an asset to every organization. No matter what career you plan to pursue, learning to interact, contribute, and excel in groups and teams will help you get there.

Key Takeaway

Communication helps you understand yourself and others, learn new things, and build your career.

Exercise $\PageIndex{1}$

Imagine that you have been hired to make “cold calls” to ask people whether they are familiar with a new restaurant that has just opened in your neighborhood. Write a script for the phone call, and focus on the climate, the environment, and the service. Ask a classmate to co-present as you deliver the script orally in class, as if you were making a phone call to the classmate. Discuss your experience with the rest of the class.
Imagine you have been assigned the task of creating a job description for a Social Media Manager. Search online and find at least two sample job descriptions, and create one. Make sure you pay attention to words like “effective in virtual teams” and other details that highlight the importance of communication skills. Please present the job description to the class and share what you learned on how communication skills play a role in the tasks or duties you have included.

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Small-Group Communication

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Teaching, Pedagogy, And Education
The Communication Approach
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Argumentation and Social Influence
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Development
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Small-Group Communication by Lawrence R. Frey LAST REVIEWED: 11 January 2012 LAST MODIFIED: 11 January 2012 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756841-0037

The study of small-group communication investigates: (a) the nature and effects of members of small collectives (a minimum of three people) using verbal and nonverbal messages to share and create meaning (referred to as a symbolic-management focus) and (b) how groups and their processes and products result from message activity (referred to as a symbolic-constitutive focus). Scholarship on small-group communication emerges from the general study of group dynamics and, thus, has important grounding in, and ties to, research conducted in social psychology. However, in contrast to a psychological focus on members’ traits and cognitive processes, a communication approach explores what and how members communicate, how various factors (e.g., the context) affect that communication, and the resulting consequences of that communication (including members’ shared conception of being a “group”). Within the academic, disciplinary study of communication (that took place circa 1910), small-group communication was one of the earliest foci (after public speaking), but institutionally (e.g., in professional associations) such scholarship initially was connected to the study of interpersonal (dyadic) communication. Although scholarship on small-group communication has historically privileged the study of task groups (in specific, decision-making and problem-solving groups), fueled most recently by the growth of organizational communication scholarship on work groups and teams, in the early 21st century, communication is studied in a wide range of group contexts (e.g., families, peer groups, work groups/teams, support groups, political groups, and community groups).

There are few reference works regarding small-group communication and none that address research conducted from 2000 to 2011. Frey, et al. 1999 , however, provides an extensive overview of group communication research conducted during the second half of the 20th century; Mabry and Barnes 1980 situates research findings within a theoretical perspective (systems) that cuts across disciplines; and Hare, et al. 1994 is a handbook that offers a wealth of references on group interaction.

Frey, Lawrence R., Dennis S. Gouran, and Marshall Scott Poole, eds. 1999. The handbook of group communication theory and research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Comprehensive coverage of group communication scholarship, from its beginning in pedagogy to its current status as a mature field. The text is divided into six sections (foundations, individuals and group communication, task and relational communication, processes, facilitation, and contexts and applications), with leading scholars summarizing research and proposing agendas.

Hare, A. Paul, Herbert H. Blumberg, Martin F. Davies, and M. Valerie Kent. 1994. Small group research: A handbook . Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

An extensive sourcebook, with over 200 reference pages, that addresses a wide range of topics that are more sociological or psychological in orientation (e.g., groups’ physical contexts and members) but also includes substantial research about verbal and nonverbal communication, communication channels/modalities, and communication networks and patterns in groups.

Mabry, Edward A., and Richard E. Barnes. 1980. The dynamics of small group communication . Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Although written as a textbook, this is a useful reference work, especially for early group communication scholarship and relevant research in other disciplines. Authors adopt a systems perspective to review what research reveals about group inputs, throughputs (e.g., verbal and nonverbal group communication, communication networks), and outputs.

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Description of Concrete Experience

Subtopic 1: Roles of Group Members

Throughout my career, I have dealt with many small group communications. It is within my professional life that I have handled and been involved in communication within a group. This was present in my involvement coaching youngsters in basketball and baseball. In my early career at Smith Instrument and Equipment I dealt with a number of small groups from my accounting functions of accounts receivable this was mostly done in one on one and small group settings.

This would be the same for other accounting functions with this company.

Sound Engineering would be the same as above with the additional areas of Human Resources and union contract negotiations. Boulevard Construction had the added function of many different types of communications for projects. This communication was done in one-on-one and small group settings; from dealing with the owners to engineers, architects, subcontractors etc. These meetings took place with each individually and cumulatively. The transportation company I have also had experience in is much of the same as above with internal and external components of group communication.

Subtopic 2: Group Problem Solving Processes

From my experiences in being involved in groups, I have noticed a number of problems arising. This can be seen in terms of the roles given and also individual problems when one person refuses to do a task. Also, it can be where there are a set of people who do not want to cooperate or participate due to a feud ongoing between them. This was common with my coaching of sport teams, since the players are very young, there were tendencies of fights between the individuals, whether it be inside or outside the sphere of the group, these feelings of negativity were brought into the team and affected everyone else’s performance.

A lot of the time, in the workplace, a type of problem may be seen when someone is out for their own wellbeing or self interest. This would cause a set-back for the group, and some tasks will be left undone. When a certain individual sets out to accomplish only his or her own goals, a lot of things are left un-taken-care-of.

Subtopic 3: Effectiveness of Individual Communication Styles

In my experiences during my career, there have been problems in communication. Some people really just did not understand others, and this created problems in the workplace. Everyone would expect others to adapt to their own style and their own way of doing this, and this created chaos within the group.

This came in many different forms such as language, culture or even a person’s level of openness. During my job in the construction industry, I had to communicate with a lot of different people: architects, engineers, contractors, etc. These people all had different communication styles, and it came as relevant to their position. I was also my job to understand these communication styles, and make them work for the better of the project.

Subtopic 4: Dynamics and Themes of the Group

The group’s dynamics are seen within the social relationships within the group. This was very evident in the basketball and baseball teams I had coached in the past. This was because the team shared common interests in sports, and they were also of the same age range. These common interests would connect them and this would separate them from other individuals who may have been randomly selected.

In my career experiences, people came together for a number of reasons, and there were a lot of different people from different cultures, or different ages. However, the dynamics of the group were still seen in how they handled their jobs and there was a present theme of togetherness, since we would work on the same process. This makes our social relationship within the workplace connected because of a certain task, project or group.

The processes of group dynamics varied according to the work and the working environment. This included a lot of different aspects of the job, and it changed along with the change in tasks.

Subtopic 5: Attitudes and Skills of Group Members

During my career and through past experiences, there have been a number of members within a group who have had certain problems regarding their attitude, and this affected their tasks and placed question on their skills as a member. Individuals who are difficult hinder the entire group from productivity.

An example of this was found in my baseball team, an individual wanted to play as pitcher, but I knew that he was quick on his feet and very attentive, making him perfect for the position of short-stop. However, his attitude did not allow me to decide for him, and he believed he knew better than me. This affected how everyone played, and when placed in the position of my choosing, he would not commit to his role and play his part for the betterment of the team. This stopped out productivity as a group and brought the entire team down.

Subtopic 6: What Constitutes Effective Participation and Leadership?

A team or a group has to be very comfortable with each other for the effective participation of all members. I experienced this through working in a construction company where everyone loved our group leader. Because everyone admired and respected our leader, there was an ongoing communication flow and there was effective participation seen in all group members. This great type of leadership is rare, and usually people do not like to follow orders from a leader which they do not generally like or respect.

Reflections

Throughout my experiences in working with these small groups, I have noticed the need for people to set roles and ethics within group members. It is really important for the progressiveness of the group to have a leader and contributors. With the baseball and basketball teams I coached, I have noticed that my role as their coach needed to be established within them, and also each player had a specific role in which he had to commit to. For example, in baseball, we cannot have two people on the same base, only one person is assigned to this, and he needs to understand and commit to his role in order for the effectiveness of the entire team. This role was to be communicated by me, and understood by the team members.

The same applies for my roles within other aspects of my career. Since I worked within a group, and not individually, certain roles had to be set and established among the group to create an understanding, as well as to ensure that all aspects of the project are covered; this is done by giving each person a specific task or function within the group. Each group member is responsible for carrying out his or her own role for the effectiveness of the organization as a whole.

I have noticed that there is a certain process which needs to be executed when handling a problem within a group. This requires much communication from all members included. There has to be an open flow of contribution on everyone’s part, and no feelings or problems can be left without proper mediation because it can be seen as destructive.

I have seen that jealousy and an individual’s priority focusing on self-interest can harm the group’s performance, and in order to know this problem, and open communication must be made throughout the group. Before this is set, it must be established within the group that there are certain goals and objectives a group is set to accomplish, and anything which is hindering the group from reaching these goals must be communicated to the leader of the group. In the case of the baseball and basketball team, it was my job to mediate these problems and come to a resolve as soon as possible, before the problem worsens.

When it came to individual communication styles, it either worked for the group or it didn’t. This all depended on how well everyone embraced different communication styles of people. This was seen a lot within the workplace with conflicting characters and personalities of individuals. A lot of the time it came to a problem of understanding each other and this lead to frustration. When someone did not understand another’s communication style, this lead to mistakes within the group, and often there would be someone to blame.

When this type of miscommunication is seen in the group, a lot of chaos comes about and there would be problems within the group which would arise and become personal. The only way to get through to these problems within communication and individual styles is for everyone to understand other people’s individual communication styles and use this for the better productivity within the group, for the achievement of the organization’s overall goals and objectives.

Group members within the sporting groups I coached would influence each other’s behaviors. This was because of the time they spent together, their relationships with each other, and an unspoken understanding between team members. It included their way of thinking, their emotions, behaviors and other aspects. I saw this with how the kids would act and talk to each other. It was as if they were part of a family, and they had a code between them. They would welcome new members in a certain type of way, and it was almost ritualistic. Along with this dynamic and theme of togetherness comes a bond.

This was also present in the workplace, when people generally spend a lot of time together; they develop an understanding and influence each others’ behaviors and actions. You can see people start to change in their ways when they open up to other group members, and they do this in a positive way when there are healthy relationships within the group.

Attitude is very hard to correct, especially when dealing with kids. There needs to be a certain type of authority which is established among everyone, it has to be understood that the team needs people to listen and cooperate. It should be that the leader is trusted enough in his or her position and authority that he or she knows what best skills would fit certain roles within the group. And, it is also the group leader’s job to know which individual possesses these skills.

This comes as a challenge when dealing with group members who are hard-headed and believe that they know better than the leader. It is very difficult to change someone’s mind when they are not open to others’ opinion, and when they are set on one thing. This is very individualistic and can result in lack of progression from the group as a whole, and it can sometimes turn group members against each other.

Group participation and the effectiveness of all this comes down to great leadership. A good leader is someone who does not abuse his or her power, and works for the benefit of the organization. When everyone is happy with how the leader conducts things, there is no tension within the group, and the leader sets a good example for everyone in the workplace.

A good leader is not necessarily someone who is lax and lets everyone do whatever it is they want, he or she is someone who can relate to his or her subordinates and rule with a firm hand, gaining their respect and establishing authority.

Generalizations / Principles / Theories

Each role in a group pertains to a different task or aspect in a certain project. Roles differ in their procedures and tasks; some may relate to tasks within the group, and other roles may be to promote interaction within the group.

There are several roles within a group in order to complete a certain project or task. For example: an initiator or contributor who would generate new ideas, the information gatherer who would offer facts for the group to work with, a coordinator who would synthesize the ideas, evaluator who would set up standards for the group to meet, and so on.

A group also requires people to take social roles in order to keep the group together and communication ongoing. These roles can be played at the same time as task roles and they can be in the form of: a harmonizer who would mediate group members’ differences, an observer who makes sure everyone is on track, a gatekeeper who ensures all communication channels are open within the group, etc.

Group roles can also be harmful when taken in the individualistic perspective. This is when a group member would focus on him or herself above the group as a whole. This can be seen as destructive to the group and would cause a disparity among members. This can include a dominator who takes control over group members through manipulation, a recognition seeker who calls out attention for himself and the tasks he has accomplished, or a blocker who might resist group movement because of numerous reasons such as jealousy.

All these roles vary within groups, and can change according to the diversity in personality of individuals. The types of roles can also depend on how big the group is, and what kind of project it is.

First of all, it must be decided among the group if there is a problem to be solved, and if the problem is directly relating to the group’s performance. The problem must be then identified and clarified. The roots of this problem should also be known. After there is an understanding of the problem and where it came from, there should be potential solutions generated to solve such problems. These solutions are not supposed to be rushed into, they would have to be evaluated and only the best and most effective solution is to be picked. Once the solution is made known to all group members, this must be implemented and constant monitoring on the part of the group leader is highly required to ensure that there are no backslides regarding the problem. Once the problem is fixed, and the solution is put into play, group members must be monitored and an outcome must be evaluated. This is for the group leader to take not of, so that if ever a problem similar to this arises in the future, the group leader will be well aware of a solution and a way of handling it. Problem solving within a group is a constant learning process, and it involves everyone within the group to work together.

Individual communication styles depend on a person’s personality and character, there are some people who are just more open than others, and other people who are more reserved. When these characters conflict each other, problems arise. A good way of using these individual communication styles is to first identify who in the group has a certain communication style, and then fit that person in a role which best suits his or her style.

For example, a very open person who gets straight to the point and likes to have control over a lot of things can communicate very confidently without any frills, this person can be a good group leader. The task of this person which is to lead the group effectively coincides with the group’s need for direction and control. Someone who is patient with other people and listens can be a group’s collaborator. He or she can listen to other people’s perspectives, ideas and opinions and take note of all of them, putting no bias between them. And, someone who is more reserved and would like to work with statistics, analyses and data more can provide all the information for the group and do the initial research.

The dynamics of a group is generally a psychological and a communication study between two or more individuals. Within these processes includes the norms of the group, relationships, development and roles found within the group. All these processes affect small group behavior and the behavior of the individual when communicating with the group.

This is seen in the organizational development of the group and can be related to the “group process” which is the behavior of people within the groups, including group tasks, problem solving and decision making. Each group is unique and highly depends on all its members to determine what type of theme and group they are. Since different groups are formed with different reasons, processes may vary and tasks change.

The group process can be seen in a number of different ways which can include the pattern of how members communicate and their coordination, how they are influenced by others and how they influence others, members’ roles and their relationships with others, how members balance tasks with their social focuses, etc. And these can determine how effective the group is in accomplishing the organizational goals.

It should be established within the group the authority of the leader. All group members must know that the leader knows what is best for the group, this should be well communicated and a level of trust should be put on the group members for their leader. These difficult group members who may hinder progress within the group can be seen as people who are not responsive, who think they deserve a higher position, someone who may abuse his or her power, or someone who does not effectively use his or her skills for the benefit of the organization.

This limits any type of productivity within the group and difficult members must be dealt with right away. This is seen as common in children, and can also arise in adults. However, when it comes to correcting adults, there is a bigger problem because most cannot take correction from someone of their peer.

Subtopic 6: What Constitutes Effective Participation and Leadership?

A good leader is someone who has followers; you can tell that a leader is of poor quality when there is no one that follows his or her rule. When there is a good leader, and a healthy balance of roles within the organization, there is active participation from the members, and this results in the effectiveness of the group as a whole, and the leader can better implement tasks and objectives for the group to fulfill.

Testing and Application

A role must be established within a group for the group to move along successfully. With my previous jobs, there have been problems when it came to group member roles, and some people would have interest in the same roles. I think that a way to face this problem is to establish first a group leader who has the authority to assign roles. However, problems can arise if ever the group leader abuses his or her power and uses the status given to him in a manipulative or ego-centric way.

To minimize conflict within the group there must be a type of harmony found within the members, and for the group t have an understanding of the importance of their roles as well as the roles of others. These roles are very important to groups in order for the full effectiveness or the organization as a whole, group members must work together and accomplish their tasks according to their roles.

Before a problem is addressed within a group, the right communication should be established, and all members must be comfortable with opening-up with their problems within a group. It should be the group leader’s job to assure the members of the group that there is confidentiality within the group, and all problems are going to be solved for the better effectiveness of the group as a whole.

It must also be known to all group members that there is no problem too big or too small for the group to handle and tackle. Because there is a group, a team effort is required. This is seen very important especially in my career in the transportation industry where many problems with communication arose, fingers were pointed and there was a general lack in group communication. If there was an establishment of trust and understanding within the group, problems would have been dealt with in an easier way, and will not take a toll on the productivity of the team.

The first step in handing the authority to group members in order to complete a task is the responsibility of the group leader. The leader must know the personality and the individual communication styles of each group member so that all tasks within the group are well covered. The effectiveness of individual communication styles will only take place when one acknowledges others’ differences and uses this for the betterment of the group.

There should be no barriers when it comes to group communication, and individual communication styles can make or break a group. It should be established within the group that there needs to be an understanding of other people’s communication styles, and conflicting personalities must be resolved.

In order to improve my own communication style, I first looked into myself and analyzed what type of person I was. Secondly, I asked other people what they thought of my work style and ethics. This helped me know what style I had and it also made it clear for me what roles suit me the best in order for my individual communication style to be effective within the organization.

Since different groups gather for different reasons, the dynamics and themes of groups highly vary. It should be first established why the group has come together, and all roles within the group must be determined. When a group first comes together, it is really hard to determine how they would work together, and there still may be some reservation on the parts of the members who are not yet fully comfortable in working with the group. However, as time goes by, the group’s dynamics and their theme will soon arise, and patterns within the group’s communication can be seen.

When all aspects of a group’s processes are determined and evident, this will create a better understanding of how the group works together and their balance with each other. This awareness can improve the group and lead the group to more success in future projects. When the patters are identified, each member should be aware of his or her contribution to the group and the group process as a whole, then the individual should take the initiative to change what is needed to be changed for the better improvement of the group as a whole.

To be able to deal with the attitudes of group members, the leader must let them know in an open way of communication that he or she believes that a certain individual posses a type of skill which the leader thinks best suits him or her for a specific role. This should be done in a positive way, almost praising the individual for that skill. This may change their heart towards their initial feelings about a certain role, and it can sway their attitude, if ever they pose a difficult attitude for the leader.

I incorporated this with my experience in coaching the baseball team where I had to sit the individual down and properly explain to him why I believed he had the certain skills for a particular position. I did this in a way where I let him know that his skill is like no other I have seen, and the only way to improve it and be better at what he does is to listen to my advise as his coach.

To be a good leader and gain the trust of my followers, I must first look within myself and change any attitude which can be seen as self-motivated. The role of the leader as I see it is to be the authority over the team in order to guide them towards the achievement of certain goals within the organization. It is not something to be abused or taken for granted. My team and group members trust me to be a good leader and to know what is best for them in order for our goals to be achieved, and for there to be active participation from all group members.

I have had many experiences in working with groups, and have met a lot of different people. What I have learned is that leadership is very important, and the role of authority must be established within the group to ensure productivity among all members. When there is no leadership, or respect for the leader within the members, chaos arises within the group, and no objectives can be completed. It is the leader’s responsibility to maintain order within the group, and to delegate tasks and roles according to the skills he or she sees present within an individual. It is also the leader’s priority to establish rules among members and also to create awareness for individual communication styles within the group, all negative attitudes within the group are to also be dealt with by the leader. Groups come together for many different reasons, and the dynamics and themes within all groups are seen as different. For the full effectiveness and productivity of a group, all these needs to be determined and established with all members.

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General Essays

Group Communication Essay

Author Kimberly Ball
Category General Essays

Disclaimer: This paper has been submitted by a student. This is not a sample of the work written by professional academic writers.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this work are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of StudySaurus.

Group experiences have significant impact on our lives and not only helps in problem solving but also acts as an effective tool for interaction. When we communicate effectively in our groups, we are likely to avoid conflict and reach a consensus when we experience challenges. Apart from social interaction, groups such as family makes us to feel a sense of belonging and love. However, there are also challenges associated with group experiences such as slow decision making process and conflicts especially when the group is made up of many people and every member wants their opinion to carry the day. Communication competence the foundation of creating a collaborative group that encourages support and teamwork.

Our group is a learning group that enables us to share knowledge and take part in different academic projects. Our group members not only interact with each other but we are also interdependent. When we are working on academic project, every member needs to be present for the work to be completed on time. Evidently, if one member is absent, he or she inconveniences the other members of the group because one of our group rules is that every member must participate during the group discussions. In some instances, when we are forced to work with less members, the other members who were not present often drag us behind during the next meeting as we try to explain to them what we achieved. This case cannot be avoided because sometimes they have a valid reason for missing the group meeting and their opinion must also be considered before we make the final conclusion.

The ripple effect also affects our group because one member is lazy and always proposes that we postpone the work and look for a more interesting thing to do. This affects the performance of all group members because we may end up submitting the work after the deadline. Our group has been in existence for a long period of time because we work together every semester. Therefore, we understand the needs and behavior of every member of the group. Our group is made up of five people, three men and two ladies. The size of our group is relatively small, making it easier for us to communicate effectively and understand each other. Additionally, we can allocate roles based on our group member’s abilities and goals that we have been able to identify after working together on several projects. This creates a sense of cooperation and makes it easier to accomplish tasks when we combine and discuss our ideas to come up with the final conclusion.

The individual goal is to acquire knowledge through sharing information and accomplish various academic tasks. Another individual goal is social interaction because of the sense of belonging and unity achieved through group experience. The group not only focus on accomplishing academic tasks but also helps members to overcome daily challenges. Therefore, one of the group goals is to create unity and a senses of belonging while helping each other to do various tasks. The long term goal of the group is the acquisition of critical thinking and decision making skills that are also applicable in dealing with everyday life challenges. The rules of the include attending meeting every Wednesday and Friday afternoons to discuss the tasks assigned for the week, conducting research before the meeting and asking questions at the end of the discussion to avoid interrupting others.

The norms are understanding the effective use of turn taking to avoid conflict of interests, participating actively during the group discussions and avoiding jokes that are not related to the topic of discussion. Additionally, members who are unable to attend the meetings should state the reason for their absence in advance. In terms of task norms, the group members usually choose the topic that they are more conversant with and work on it then later we combine the effort to come up with the final project. The member roles are based on the task that each member is supposed to undertake. We have the group leader who is also the contributor. He proposes new ideas and new methods of approaching an issue especially if the group is in a crisis to help with the decision making process. The functional roles of two members is seeking and giving information. The information giver conducts general research about the topic while other members research on specific aspects of the discussion. The other two members are the coordinator and opinion seeker. The coordinator analyzes the relationship between the information presented by other members of the group in order to reach a consensus. Opinion seeker allows every member of the group to air their opinions to ensure that everyone is contented before we compile the final copy.

The patterns of interaction used in our group is the all-channed network. The group members always meet in one location and share all the available information with each other in an organized manner. We value face to face communication of ideas because it allows members to effectively state their opinion and ask for clarification of points that they do not understand. The problem experienced by our group is a role-related problem. Evidently, there is a problem of unfilled roles because the group leader is unable to perform the task set aside for him effectively. As a result, most group members do not receive vital information on time making it difficult to coordinate and accomplish the task on time. The person who is supposed to organize and communicate about the meeting point, tasks assigned to each member and expected results often fails to do it on time.

This problem is caused by slow decision making process and lack of full commitment towards the success of the group. Despite being busy handling other responsibilities, the group leader has not accepted to allow one of the members to assist with the process of passing cross information on time. Therefore, this problem always leads to a disagreement among members especially if one person has not delivered the expected research on time only to realize later that he or she was not aware of the time and venue of meeting. We have tried to resolve the problem by forming a social media group where members can get firsthand information but there is some vital information that needs face to face explanation to avoid confusion. The group leader also feels like since he is the founder of the group, he has every right to occupy the leadership position and organize every group activity. Consequently, this has led to the buildup of negative energy in the group especially when we fail to accomplish tasks on time, members tend to blame each other.

The strategy that I used to improve the groups dynamics is effective communication. When the problem first began, most members were not willing to talk about it due to fear of criticism or opposition even though it was affecting the performance of all group members. I used this strategy because it enabled us to formulate solutions for the problem by analyzing its cause and the possible cause of action. It was implemented through a meeting and discussion where all members were allowed to state their opinion and possible solution for the problem. This strategy improved the group dynamics and interaction among members who all agreed to cooperate in passing information to other members of the group. The next strategy I used is minority control. This helped a lot when the stakes are high and members of the group are frustrated by the turn of events or a prevalent problem. Two members of the group discussed the matter with the group leader in depth and they were able to formulate a solution. I used the strategy because it is easier for few people to reach a consensus as compared to many people with different opinions. After the implementation, there was unity and satisfaction among group members. Another strategy that I used is looking for unfilled roles and decided to fill them myself. Evidently, I volunteered to help the group leader to pass across information whenever he was busy to avoid inconveniences. I used this method to avoid involving other members of the group in the conflict and the result was positive response from members who put more effort in their work.

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Communication

Group Communication

Updated 11 April 2021

Subject Communication , Work

Downloads 77

Category Life , Psychology , Sociology

Topic Communication Skills , Problem Solving , Skills

Introduction

Group communication and learning, the importance of face-to-face interaction, pros and cons, using the skills gained in the future, suggestions.

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The Concept of Discourse Community Summary

This essay about the concept of discourse communities provides a unique perspective on the intricacies of human interaction and communication. It explores how groups form around shared language, goals, and norms, shaping identities and fostering belonging. Through vivid language and examples, the essay highlights the role of discourse communities in shaping culture and driving innovation.

How it works

In the intricate mosaic of human connection, the discourse community emerges as a kaleidoscope of shared language, purpose, and belonging. Coined by linguist John Swales in 1985, this concept serves as a portal into the rich tapestry of group dynamics, where communication isn’t just about conveying information, but about forging bonds and shaping identities.

At its essence, a discourse community is akin to a secret society of language—a realm where insiders communicate in a code understood only by fellow members.

Whether it’s the technical jargon of scientists or the slang of street artists, every discourse community has its own linguistic ecosystem, a linguistic labyrinth that both defines and binds its members. This shared language isn’t just a means of communication; it’s a badge of honor, a symbol of belonging to a tribe with its own rituals, values, and way of seeing the world.

But beyond its linguistic luster, a discourse community is a crucible of ideas, a cauldron where thoughts are brewed, shared, and refined. From the hallowed halls of academia to the digital dens of online fandoms, discourse communities are incubators of innovation, where members come together around a common purpose to push the boundaries of knowledge, challenge the status quo, and shape the zeitgeist. Through their shared discourse, they don’t just communicate; they create culture, forging new paths of understanding and redefining the very fabric of society.

Yet, within the sanctuary of discourse communities, there are rules—unwritten laws that govern interaction and shape the contours of conversation. These norms are the silent architects of communication, guiding members in the art of dialogue and ensuring that discourse remains productive, respectful, and meaningful. From the rigorous standards of academic debate to the playful banter of internet memes, these norms serve not just as guardrails for communication, but as the scaffolding upon which the community’s identity is built.

In essence, the discourse community is more than just a gathering of minds; it’s a microcosm of human connection, a testament to the power of language to shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. By exploring the linguistic labyrinth of these communities—from the words they use to the ideas they espouse—we gain not just insight into communication, but into the very essence of what it means to be human. So the next time you find yourself immersed in the discourse of your chosen tribe, remember: you’re not just speaking; you’re participating in the timeless dance of language and belonging, where words have the power to change the world.

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Essay on Importance of Communication for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of communication:.

Communication is one of the important tools that aid us to connect with people. Either you are a student or a working professional, good communication is something that will connect you far ahead. Proper communication can help you to solve a number of issues and resolve problems. This is the reason that one must know how to communicate well. The skills of communication essential to be developed so that you are able to interact with people. And able to share your thoughts and reach out to them. All this needs the correct guidance and self-analysis as well.

Meaning of Communication

The word communication is basically a process of interaction with the people and their environment . Through such type of interactions, two or more individuals influence the ideas, beliefs, and attitudes of each other.

Such interactions happen through the exchange of information through words, gestures, signs, symbols, and expressions. In organizations, communication is an endless process of giving and receiving information and to build social relationships.

Importance of Communication

Communication is not merely essential but the need of the hour. It allows you to get the trust of the people and at the same time carry better opportunities before you. Some important points are as follows –

Help to Build Relationships

No matter either you are studying or working, communication can aid you to build a relationship with the people. If you are studying you communicate with classmates and teachers to build a relationship with them. Likewise in offices and organizations too, you make relationships with the staff, your boss and other people around.

Improve the Working Environment

There are a number of issues which can be handled through the right and effective communication. Even planning needs communication both written as well as verbal. Hence it is essential to be good in them so as to fill in the communication gap.

Foster strong team

Communication helps to build a strong team environment in the office and other places. Any work which requires to be done in a team. It is only possible if the head communicates everything well and in the right direction.

Find the right solutions

Through communication, anyone can find solutions to even serious problems. When we talk, we get ideas from people that aid us to solve the issues. This is where communication comes into play. Powerful communication is the strength of any organization and can help it in many ways.

Earns more respect

If your communication skills are admirable, people will love and give you respect. If there is any problem, you will be the first person to be contacted. Thus it will increase your importance. Hence you can say that communications skills can make a big change to your reputation in society.

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Don’t Go Overboard With Your Point

The conversation is about to express your thoughts. And to let the other person know what you feel. It is not mean to prove that your point is correct and the other person is wrong. Don’t Overboard other With Your Point.

Watch Your Words

Before you say something to Watch Your Words. At times, out of anger or anxiousness, we say somethings that we must not say. Whenever you are in a professional meeting or in some formal place, where there is a necessity of communicating about your product or work then it is advised to practice the same beforehand

Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out one’s thoughts and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate the less we suffer and the better we feel about everything around. However, it is all the more necessary to learn the art of effective communication to put across ones point well.

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Distributed Computer and Communication Networks: 18th International Conference, DCCN 2015, Moscow, Russia, October 19-22, 2015, Revised Selected ... in Computer and Information Science, 601) 1st ed. 2016 Edition

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This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Distributed and Computer and Communication Networks, DCCN 2015, held in Moscow, Russia, in October 2015.

The 38 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 94 submissions. The papers cover the following topics: computer and communication networks architecture optimization; control in computer and communication networks; performance and QoS evaluation in wireless networks; modeling and simulation of network protocols; queuing and reliability theory; wireless IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, and UMTS (LTE) networks; FRID technology and its application in intellectual transportation networks; protocols design (MAC, Routing) for centimeter and millimeter wave mesh networks; internet and web applications and services; application integration in distributed information systems; big data in communication networks.

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COMMENTS

Effective Group Communication Essay
Effective Group Communication Essay. The interaction between three to nine people who are working together to achieve an interdependent goal is called group communication. Whereas a process of using communication to influence the behaviors and attitudes of others to meet group goals is leadership. Within a given day, human beings rely on the ...
13.1 Understanding Small Groups
Key Takeaways. Getting integrated: Small group communication refers to interactions among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, and a shared identity. Small groups are important communication units in academic, professional, civic, and personal contexts.
Small Group and Team Communication
Construct Identification. Group communication is the form of interaction, which provides not only unity for the sake of achieving a common goal but also the individual contribution of team members. In this regard, the phenomenon of interdependence and interactivity described by Harris and Sherblom can be considered the methods of maintaining ...
Group Communication: Decision Making and Problem Solving Report
Video 1: Group Communication Video Cases. The group comprised of three different professionals; a school nurse, a psychiatrist, and a social worker. This diversity in group makeup affected their opinion on resolving the issue. The treatment approach favored by the three professionals varied with a particular approach being seen as more ...
1.1: Why Study Group Communication?
Learning Objectives. Understand the importance of group communication. Communication is key to your success, in relationships, in the workplace, as a citizen of your country, and across your lifetime. Your ability to communicate comes from experience, which can be an effective teacher, but this text and the related group communication course ...
Interdisciplinary Teamwork and Group Communication Essay
General Rules of Conduct. All group members should treat one another with respect, avoiding discrimination and conflicts; All group members should attend each meeting; In case of an emergency, the member should notify the rest of the group to try and reschedule the meeting; All group members should participate in the decision-making process;
Group Communication Essay
Better Essays. 1262 Words. 6 Pages. Open Document. Group Communication Effective group communications come in forms of verbal and non-verbal techniques. Essential parts of the entire group's contribution are that the group contains full participating members, the group is diverse, and that the diversity is recognized and respected (Hartley ...
Group Communication Essays (Examples)
Though empirical evidence is still difficult to come by when addressing group development, there is a general consensus in the literature…. View our collection of group communication essays. Find inspiration for topics, titles, outlines, & craft impactful group communication papers. Read our group communication papers today!
Group Communication Essay
In groups and teams, relationships are the feelings, roles, norms, statuses, and trust that both affect. They reflect the quality of communication between a person and others. The variables that have an important effect on relationships are made with others in small groups. These are the roles a person assumes, the norms or standards, the group ...
Small-Group Communication
Introduction. The study of small-group communication investigates: (a) the nature and effects of members of small collectives (a minimum of three people) using verbal and nonverbal messages to share and create meaning (referred to as a symbolic-management focus) and (b) how groups and their processes and products result from message activity ...
Group Communication Essay
Group Communication Essay 1 Group Communication Essay Mariya Kaleemuddin COMM04: Public Speaking Nov-12-A team has all sorts of people into one group. The key factor is how they communicate and relate to one another and also in seeing how determined and successful the team is to reach to a point they are trying to make..
Group Communication, Essay Example
Boulevard Construction had the added function of many different types of communications for projects. This communication was done in one-on-one and small group settings; from dealing with the owners to engineers, architects, subcontractors etc. These meetings took place with each individually and cumulatively.
Group Communication Essay Example
This helped a lot when the stakes are high and members of the group are frustrated by the turn of events or a prevalent problem. Two members of the group discussed the matter with the group leader in depth and they were able to formulate a solution. I used the strategy because it is easier for few people to reach a consensus as compared to many ...
Group Communication
Pros and Cons. The group communication makes people obtain the strategies for plain speaking by the use of a particular language, communicating about the interpretations and not the conjectures, talking about the behavior and not the person who perpetuates it. For the improved actions and academic growth, each group member should always assess ...
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Work Groups and Teams: A Reflection
Psychologists have studied small groups for well over 60 years. Much of that research was initially conducted by social psychologists who were interested in how individual behavior was influenced by the group context and in factors that influenced interpersonal processes and group behavior (McGrath, 1964).For example, early work focused on power and social influence, social forces that bond ...
Group Communication Essay
Group Communication Essay. against dyadic communication (i.e., one to one) and mass communication (i.e., one to many), group communication implies a many-to- many communication. Team work and group communication form an integral part of most organisations that embrace the concept of an open organisational climate and participative management.
The Concept of Discourse Community Summary
Essay Example: In the intricate mosaic of human connection, the discourse community emerges as a kaleidoscope of shared language, purpose, and belonging. Coined by linguist John Swales in 1985, this concept serves as a portal into the rich tapestry of group dynamics, where communication isn't
Essay on Importance of Communication for Students and Children
Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out one's thoughts and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate the less we suffer and the better we feel about everything around. However, it is all the more necessary to learn the art of effective communication to put across ones point well.
634 Communication Essay Topics & Examples
This essay aims to show that communication in intercultural interactions is hindered by the communication style, body language, stereotypes, the tendency to evaluate, high anxiety, and differences in ways of completing tasks. Metabical: Positioning and Communications Strategy.
COM-222 small group communication essay
Leadership Paper Stephanie Aguilar Grand Canyon University COM- Professor Marti Abitheira September 20, 2021. Leadership Paper An individual's or a group's ability to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization is referred to as leadership. Leadership is a social influence technique that leverages the efforts of others in order to attain a goal.
YIVO
(1896-1982; convert to Orthodox Christianity in 1975), Russian linguist and philologist. One of the twentieth century's most versatile and imaginative linguists and literary scholars, Roman Jakobson was born in Moscow.Already in his high-school days—he graduated in 1914 from the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages in Moscow—three hallmarks of his long scholarly career were apparent.
Moscow Helsinki Group, 2012 MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective
The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, we work to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society.
On the Midnight Train: Moscow to Leningrad: Memoir, Essays, Psychology
On the Midnight Train: Moscow to Leningrad: Memoir, Essays, Psychology, Poetry, Theater - About profoundly deep-rooted conflict and an even more fundamental yearning for peace - Kindle edition by Robinson, Skip. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading On the Midnight Train: Moscow to ...
Distributed Computer and Communication Networks: 18th International
Distributed Computer and Communication Networks: 18th International Conference, DCCN 2015, Moscow, Russia, October 19-22, 2015, Revised Selected ... in Computer and Information Science, 601) [Vishnevsky, Vladimir, Kozyrev, Dmitry] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Distributed Computer and Communication Networks: 18th International Conference, DCCN 2015, Moscow, Russia ...
Working Groups Summit helps shape 2025 Sustainability Master Plan
Working group members including students, faculty and staff met on Friday, April 12, for the Sustainability Master Plan Working Groups Summit. ... Winners of Elon's 25th annual Carret essay contest announced. ... Vanessa Bravo named assistant dean in the School of Communications. The professor of strategic communications, who begins her new ...