COMM 1000 1nd Edition Lecture 15 Outline of Last Lecture I. Disclosing SecretsII. TechnologyIII. WhistleblowingIV. Moral CourageV. Whistleblowing CasesVI. LeaksOutline of Current Lecture VII. Basics of Group CommunicationVIII. Group DefinitionIX. Types of Group Tasks & ActivitiesX. Task CommunicationXI. Relational CommunicationXII. Group Communication OutcomeXIII. Group DevelopmentXIV.Group CohesivenessXV. GroupthinkXVI. Functional Theory of Decision MakingXVII. Decision Making ProceduresA. Standard AgendaB. BrainstormingThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.C. Nominal Group TechniqueXVIII. Building Group Communication CompetenceCurrent LectureChapter 12: Communicating in Groups-The Basics of Group Communication-- Both task and relational communication- Each group is unique o One group is never exactly like another- We are members of many groupso Work, community, civic, friendship, and familyo It’s difficult to avoid groupsGroup Definition-- Three or more people who work together interdependently on an agreed-upon activity or goal o Members identify themselves as belonging to the groupo Members develop structure o Ideal size for small group is seven Anything over 7 is less effectiveo How is communication different than interpersonal  Hidden communication-when you add a third person you cannot tell them what you were talking about Coalition formation-once you add a third party, two can branch off against one personTypes of Group Tasks & Activities-1. Planning2. Generating ideas3. Making choices4. Negotiating5. Competing6. Performing7. Deliberating8. Building Relationships9. Providing social support (AA)Task Communication-- Verbal and nonverbal messages instrumental to accomplishing group tasks and activitieso Offer or request directiono Advance or ask about a belief or valueo Report or request facts, observations, or experiencesRelational Communication-- Verbal and nonverbal messages that create social fabric of a group—essential to creating relationships among group memberso Demonstrate friendliness or unfriendlinesso Show tension or anxiety, or reduce ito Demonstrate agreement or disagreementGroup Communication Outcome-- Synergyo Performance of group exceeds capabilities of individual group membersGroup Development-- Four phases- you jump around the phases or some can be happening at multiple times1. Forming: identify and learn about the group.2. Storming: conflict, struggles for control, confusion over goals3. Norming: cohesion begins, balance emerges4. Performing: task, consensus, max productivity- Sometimes people get too comfortable and don’t show upGroup Cohesiveness-- Degree to which members desire to remain in the groupo Psychological closenesso Based on attraction to members, tasks, coordination of effort, or opportunity to work on behalf of group- Signals commitment to the group- Heightens interdependence- Improve cohesivenesso Give members opportunity to talk (sometimes referred to as the S.U. method)o Do members complement one another?- Cohesiveness typically influences group performance positively o Yet cohesiveness is not sufficient to ensure quality performance**Example Exam Question-What is one of our commitment signals to the group? AssuranceGroupthink-Faulty decision making resulting from lack of critical thinking- Disagreement is absent- Group members are highly cohesive- Group avoids ethical or moral issues- Group artificially limits alternatives- Members feel the group is infallible- Members protect one another from criticism- A group never intends to let groupthink occur- When it does:o Leader should foster full participation and solicit divergent opinionso Encourage full participation through decision-making procedureFunctional Theory of Decision Making-- Group decision procedures should help a group1. Thoroughly discuss the problem2. Examine the criteria of an acceptable solution before discussing potential solutions3. Propose a set of alternative solutions4. Assess the positive aspects of each proposed solution5. Assess the negative aspects of each proposed solutionDecision Making Procedures-1. Standard Agenda-- Linear process of six steps1. Identifying the problem2. Analyzing the problem3. Identifying minimal criteria for solution4. Generating solutions5. Evaluating solutions and selecting best one6. Implementing the solution2. Brainstorming-- Helps group generate ideas to improve productivity and creativity1. State as many alternatives as possible2. Encourage creative ideas3. Examines ideas for improvement or combination4. Accept all ideas without criticism5. Evaluate ideas after idea generation is complete3. Nominal Group Technique-- Independent idea generation phase1. Members silently write ideas2. Facilitator records ideas- Interactive phase to discuss ideas3. Group discusses each for clarification4. Vote to narrow number of ideas5. Discuss ideas that received most votes6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 until one idea remainsBuilding Group Communication Competence-College students report—- Ideal group membero Competent communicatoro Possess desirable relational skillso Participates in group interaction- Common group member deficiencieso Ability to create relationships with other group memberso Ability to work cooperatively and productively on