1. What does the principle of least sized groups mean, and how is it relevant to small group communication?
Least Sized Group- “ The principle that the ideal group contains as few members as possible so long as all necessary perspectives and skills are represented.” The idea of having as few members as possible shows that it is oriented towards a small group.
2. How does someone who is cognitively complex differ from someone who is cognitively simple, and how might this affect small group communication?
People who are cognitively complex are more “abstract and organized.”
3. How does a high self-monitor differ from a low self-monitor?
People who are high self-motivators are able to adjust behavior for desired results.
4. Describe someone
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What size group are you most comfortable with, and why?
I like having a small group with about three or four people. It is easier to talk to a smaller group of people rather than a large room full of people. You are able to get more honest feedback and have the ability to get everyone’s opinion if it is wanted.
2. Do you think you are cognitively complex or simple? What is it like for you to work with others who differ from you on this variable?
I think I am cognitively complex. It is really important that I keep items, either work related or personal, organized. It is difficult for me to work with people who are not organized. They are usually scattered brained and will cause me to have to slow down or stop what I am doing to help them.
3. Do you prefer a high degree of structure or not? What is it like for you to work with others who differ from you on this
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If there is no structure then people will tend to get off track and lose sight in what they are doing. I get irritated with people who prefer a low degree structure. When working I am working I go at a very fast pace and in one direction until the project is done. I am able to do that because my whole projected is structured and planned to be finished in a timely manner. If I am working with someone who is not like that or is unable/ unwilling to follow that structure then I will reject the help and do it myself.
3. How would another group member show you that s/he had a strong sense of responsibility for the group’s success?
The member would step up and answer any questions an outsider might have. They will also take ownership of the project.
5. Why is willingness to communicate an important characteristic for group members?
Communication is always key. If you do not have communication then there will be room for assumptions, which can be dangerous to a group/ organization. Group members and especially leaders need to be able to communicate their thoughts and opinions for the group to be successful as a
Without communication, no one knows what is happening therefore creating chaos and an unsuitable environment to work in. I know that communication is, if not, the best quality a leader can possess through personal experience. I have been president of my FFA chapter, vice-president of many other clubs, and an order-following member of numerous clubs since I have been in high school. Through these organizations, I have come to notice that if there is no one talking to and communicating with each other, nothing will get done. Every leader in any organization needs to have the quality of being an above average communicator because I believe it is the best characteristic one
My analysis is on the film The Goonies. While I view the movie and determine the various norms, behaviors, roles and interaction between group members, as well as individuals the examination within the realm of film can present many of the same components. Thus, our group selected this movie to analyze based on its formation of a cohesive problem-solving group full of unforgettable characters. The Goonies portray many different theories and aspects of small group communication.
Normally in a group, the work will be divided into the number of members in the group and may be arranged to each of the members to receive the part where they are more confident and have more knowledge of it. In addition, if a member is confused with their work, he can receive assistance from his teammates rather than just being alone and figure it himself independently. However, I believe sometimes been in a group can have its cons. A common pitfall associated with working as a group is disagreement about the way something is being done, a particular issue, or an opinion. Sometimes one member might have his own beliefs and want to perform a task in their way and conflict can arise from this. Once conflict arises, the members can discuss their own opinions and might arrive to a solution, but this can cause a member to not show their full potential because something was not done the way they wanted. I believe this is very common but if you are open minded, it can be overcome for the sake of the team to be
It is important to distinguish the difference between teams and groups. The main difference is that teams work altogether toward a common goal whereas groups can work altogether but for their own objective. It is important to highlight that a group does not necessary need a leader to follow but a team does and this leader will set directions to achieve the goal. In teams people are more committed as they share their ideas, they know the purpose of what they are doing and what the others are doing, they understand better individual objectives and team objectives whereas in groups, generally people are just told what they have to do without further explanations. Because in a team people get to know each other, it builds trust and enhances communication but in groups, people do not really know each other, do not trust or communicate effectively with each other. In teams it is frequent to see constructive conflict as people talk more openly and more honestly but in group it is quite rare. Eventually, people in teams are more involv...
... that areas of expertise can be exploited, different people are good at different things. Groups can discuss material, and that discussion can improve the quality of the decision. Groups are less likely to suffer from judgmental biases that individuals have when they make decisions. People are more likely to follow through on decisions made by groups that they are connected to. Also, more monumental decisions can be made in groups, because one member will not be singled out for blame, making the entire group responsible.
The size of a group is considered to be a restrictive condition on the quantity and quality of connection that can transpire amongst particular members. Kephart (1950) established that as group size increases the number of relationships that exist among member’s increases greatly. He suggests that as a result of this increase in relationships among members there will be an increased tendency towards divisions into subgroups in which participants relate to one another.
As I discuss background factors relating to small group interactions, we first have to ask, “What constitutes a small group”? In my experience and interpretation of what constitutes a small croup is that at minimum, you need three people and no more than 12 people. Within a small group the ability to get to know each other’s ethnicity, backgrounds, beliefs and morals are made easier. Small groups tend to be more focused on goal accomplishment or task completion. There are the six relevant background factors relating to small group interaction. According to Tubbs (2012), “One of the premises of systems theory is that all these factors are interrelated, so that a change in one part of the system creates in other parts of the system” (p.
The group leader must be able to energize the group and make it interesting by say, varying the format for the group sessions. He/ she must set the proper tone for the group by using his/her voice and eyes effectively to ensure that he/she is aware of what is happening with the group. He/she must know how to ask questions that will facilitate meaningful discussion, how to get people to talk and know when to cut people off when they stray from the
In order to evaluate my role within the group it is important to identify what makes a group. A group must firstly consist of more than three members, “Two members have personal relationships; with three or more there is a change in quality” of the personal relationship. (Bion 1961, p26) The group must have a common purpose or a goal in order to succeed.
Based on the small group that I joined in communication class, I will talk about what is working well and what is getting in the way in our group. Then I will discuss about what I can do to improve the group and the things about group project if there is a chance for a start over again. At last, I am also going to talk about what I think that I learned is an important lesson in this semester.
From the beginning, where we were unfamiliar with each other and became a team, my team and I had started to learn each other name and getting to know each other. Throughout each meeting, we slowly start to feel more comfortable and open minded with each other. Not only are we getting familiar with each other, each meeting that was held we progress of becoming an effective team member, we learn our strengths and weaknesses of everyone. During the meetings, we learn many concepts from the textbook, “Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices” by Steven A. Beebe and John T. Masterson. We were able to learn different types of concept in the textbook and utilized it as a team to complete certain tasks. The three concepts that impacted my team and I are human
I work well in group situations. I always try to encourage all members to participate and contribute. It is interesting to note that in most situations, I tend to be one of the group leaders. I do have a strong personality. Yet I try not to come across as controlling or bossy.
Throughout the readings and discussions, the characteristics of the initial stage of groups were explored. Please list five of these characteristics and explain how you would manage these situations. (20 points)
Having good organisation skills gives you confidence and helps you consider and develop attitudes that make learning more interesting and easy. You will also gain an insight into the many ways in which you can study more efficiently. Organised students are often more successful than their contemporaries. Success in education really is rehearsed and as they say practice makes perfect.
Several experiments and researches have been conducted that have focused on how people behave in groups. The findings have revealed that groups affect peoples’ attitudes, behavior and perceptions. Groups are essential for personal life, as well as in work life.