Communication in Small Groups
Chapter 5
BrainstormingExercise
Group Archetypes# Group archetypes Distinctive contextual features Theoretical foci
2 self-managing work team quasi-independent group in complex organization seeking efficiency
group competence and task effectiveness
3 deliberative jury zero-history groups seeking unanimity on specific legal questions
social influence and decision making
4groupthink (in committee), consensual democracy, and parliamentary council
committees/councils with ongoing decision-making responsibility
effective discussion procedures
5 task force, heist team, and X-team
ad hoc groups subject to external forces demanding innovation
diversity, creativity, and information flows
6 athletic team teams with well-established role conventions pursuing narrow goals
teamwork, leadership, roles, and status
7 harmonious/acrimonious family, band, gang
intimate and relationally charged entities with unity pressure
relational communication, cohesion, and interpersonal conflict
8 consciousness-raising and activist groups
countercultural sites of identity invention and/or affirmation
norms, socialization, symbolic convergence, and social identity
9support, play, therapeutic, and collaborative learning groups
safe, exploratory spaces promoting personal growth
unconscious behavior, individual learning, and group development
Group Effectiveness Comparisons(Optional: Poll students on effectiveness of
their journal group, and plot results based on other variables, such as these…)
• Group size• Group diversity of interests• Shared history (maturity)
xxx
Bra
inst
orm
ing
Scor
e
HighLow
320
Comparison: Diversity of Interests(Blank chart for optional exercise)
80
160
240
Group Size
Bra
inst
orm
ing
Scor
e
3 4 5 6 7 8
320
Comparison: Group Size
80
160
240
% of Grp with Unique Cultural Expertise
Bra
inst
orm
ing
Scor
e
100%None
320
Comparison: Diversity of Interests
80
160
240
50%
Hours Spent Together
Bra
inst
orm
ing
Scor
e
HighLow
320
Comparison: Shared History
80
160
240
Medium
Objective Demographic Faultlines in Group
Effe
ctiv
enes
s of
Gro
up P
roce
ss
Negative attitudetoward diversity (Subgroups perceived when real faultlines exist)
Positive attitudestoward diversity(No subgroups ever perceived)
SevereNone
Low
Hig
h
Diversity and Faultlines
Integration ofphysical resources
Ideageneration
Informationseeking and
exchange
Attention togroup structure
and process
Originalityand quality of
decisions and/orrecommendations
Effectiveness ofcoordinated action
Satisfaction withprocess and
outcomes
Equality anddynamism of
group structure
Maturity andcohesion of group
Group size andresources
Distribution ofexpertise andexternal ties
Members’ statusconsciousness
and openness todiversity, change,
and new ideas
Emphasis oninnovation and
diversity
Strength of linkbetween statusand expertise
Resourcesdevoted to training
Economic pressureto innovate
Changing workforcedemographics
Social stratification
Anti-discrimination laws
Cultural orientations(individualist/collectivist,hierarchical/egalitarian)
Group diversity, creativity, information
Head Chef: “Pies are our specialty.”
Dpty. Chef: “Groundnuts are popular in Nigeria.”
Head Chef: “The nearby market sells groundnuts.”
Head Waiter: “Pies are our specialty!”
1.1 Pies are our specialty (66% chance of mention)
2.1 The nearby market sellsgroundnuts (66% chance)
3.1 Groundnuts andpeanuts are synonymous (66% chance)
Decision: We shall make groundnut pie for the Nigerianemissary.
1.2 Pies are our specialty (40% chance)
4.1 Our key limes havegone rotten (30% chance)
5.1 Groundnuts are popular in Nigeria (30% chance)
1.3 Pies are our specialty (60% chance)
5.2 Groundnuts are popular in Nigeria (30% chance)
6.1 Nigerian emissary has apeanut allergy (10% chance)
Lead ChefTakes up 50% of meeting time; no information bias.
Deputy ChefTakes up 25%of time; slightlyfavors shared information.
Head WaiterTakes up 25%of time; strongbias toward shared info.
Group members’ information stocks Group discussion Group decision
Top Related