3: Developing Positive Relationships in Small Groups
3.1: Understanding Small Group
Group polarization: The tendency for a group to make a decision that is more extreme, either riskier or more cautious, than the actual preferences of the individual group members
Interdependence: Sharing a common purpose and a common fate in a group because the members are reliant on one another
Narrow Ridge Approach: The best results will come not from prioritizing the individual or prioritizing the group but from choosing what is in the best interest of both the group and the individuals who comprise the group
Primary groups: Long-lasting groups that are formed based on relationships and include significant others
Relational-oriented groups: Groups formed to promote interpersonal connections; focused on quality interactions that contribute to the well-being of group members
Social loafing: When group members contribute less to the group than they would if working alone
Secondary groups: Groups that are characterized by less frequent face-to-face interactions, less emotional and relational communication, and more task-related communication than primary groups
Small group communication: Interactions among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose, mutual influence, and a shared identity
Synergy: Potential for gains in performance or heightened quality of interactions when complementary members or member characteristics are added to existing ones; actions of the group exceed the sum of the actions of the individuals; 1+1 > 2
Task-oriented groups: Groups formed to solve a problem, promote a cause, or generate ideas or information
Teams: Task-oriented groups in which members are especially loyal and dedicated to the task and other group members
Virtual groups: Groups that engage in virtual interaction through taking advantage of new technologies; meet exclusively or primarily online to achieve their purpose or goal
3.2: Small Group Development
Adjourning: The stage of group development that occurs when a group dissolves because it has completed its purpose or goal, membership is declining and support for the group no longer exists, or it is dissolved because of some other internal or external cause
Forming: The first stage of group development characterized by members; begins to reduce uncertainty associated with new relationships and/or tasks through initial interactions that lay the foundation for later group dynamics; primary tension is prevalent in this stage
Group cohesion: The commitment of members to the purpose of the group and the degree of attraction among individuals in the group
Norming: The stage of group development in which the practices and expectations of the group are solidified, which leads to more stability, productivity, and cohesion within the group
Performing: The stage of group development in which group members work relatively smoothly toward the completion of a task or achievement of a purpose
Storming: The stage of group development in which conflict emerges as people begin to perform their various roles, have their ideas heard, and negotiate where they fit in the group’s structure; secondary tension is prevalent in this stage
3.3: Small Group Dynamics
Group climate: Refers to the relatively enduring tone and quality of group interaction that is experienced similarly by group members; group morale; created through participation, confirming relationships, positive feedback, equity, motivation, clear and accepted roles.
Group fantasies: Verbalized references to events outside the “here and now” of the group, including references to the group’s past, predictions for the future, or other communication about people or events outside the group
Group socialization: The process of teaching and learning the norms, rules, and expectations associated with group interaction and group member behaviors
Groupthink: A negative group phenomenon characterized by a lack of critical evaluation of proposed ideas or courses of action that results from high levels of cohesion and/or high conformity pressures
Interpersonal conflict: Tension that emerges from conflict between individual members of the group; focuses on who should do what
Primary tension: Tension experienced when group members first come together; based on uncertainty that is a natural part of initial interactions; occurs in the forming stage of group development
Procedural conflict: Conflict that emerges from disagreements or trouble with the mechanics of group operations; group members differ in their beliefs about how something should be done
Secondary tension: Tension that emerges after groups have passed the forming stage of group development and begin to have conflict over member roles, differing ideas, and personality conflicts
Social cohesion: The attraction and liking among group members
Substantive conflict: Conflict that focuses on group members’ differing beliefs, attitudes, values, or ideas related to the purpose or task of the group; focuses on the question of what should be done
Symbolic convergence: The sense of community or group consciousness that develops in a group through non-task-related communication such as stories and jokes
Task cohesion: The commitment of group members to the purpose and activities of the group
3.4: Self-disclosure and Interpersonal Communication
Dispositional attribution: Connecting the cause of disclosure to an individual’s personality; for example, if a coworker discloses that she thinks the new boss was promoted because of favoritism instead of merit, you might make a dispositional attribution by thinking that the comment was inappropriate; if the personality trait to which you attribute the disclosure is positive, then your reaction to the disclosure is likely to be positive
Interpersonal attributions: Identifying the relationship between sender and receiver as the cause of the disclosure; for example, if you attribute your coworker’s comments to the fact that you are best friends at work, you think your unique relationship caused the disclosure
Johari Window: A theory of self-disclosure that helps us understand what parts of ourselves are open, hidden, blind, and unknown
Self-disclosure: Purposeful disclosure of personal information to another person
Situational attributions: Identifying the cause of a disclosure with the context or surroundings in which it takes place; for example, you may attribute your coworker’s disclosure to the fact that you agreed to go to lunch with her
Social Comparison Theory: A theory of self-disclosure that states we evaluate ourselves based on how we compare with others
Social Penetration Theory: A theory of self-disclosure that states as we get to know someone, we engage in a reciprocal process of self-disclosure that changes in breadth and depth and affects how a relationship develops; focuses on depth and breadth of shared information
3.5: Foundations of Relationships
Avoiding: The fourth stage of coming apart; people signal that they want to close down lines of communication; often includes physical avoidance
Bonding: The final stage of coming together; includes a public ritual that announces a formal commitment such as weddings, commitment ceremonies, and civil unions
Circumscribing: The second stage of coming apart; communication decreases and certain areas of subjects become restricted as individuals verbally close themselves off from each other
Differentiating: The first stage of coming apart; occurs when individual differences drive a wedge in the relationship; the reverse of integrating as we and our reverts back to I and my
Experimenting: The second stage of relationship development; people exchange information and often move from strangers to acquaintances; involves small talk and scripted language
Initiating: The first state of relationship development; involves people sizing up each other and trying to present themselves favorably; shortest stage, usually 5-10 seconds
Integrating: The fourth stage of relationship development; two people’s identities and personalities merge, and a sense of interdependence develops; most evident in romantic relationships; partners are treated as if they were one person
Intensifying: The third stage of relationship development; involves people indicating that they would like to be or are more open to being intimate
Personal relationships: Relationships that meet emotional, relational, and instrumental needs; intimate, close, and interdependent relationships such as those we have with best friends, partners, or immediate family
Social Exchange Theory: A relationship theory that focused on the costs and rewards in a given relationship; if costs outweigh the rewards, the relationship is more likely to end; if rewards outweigh the costs, the relationship is more likely to thrive
Social relationships: Relationships that occasionally meet our needs and lack the closeness and interdependence of personal relationships
Stagnating: The third stage of coming apart; the relationship may come to a standstill as individuals wait for the relationship to end; outward communication is avoided and internal communication becomes more frequent; for example, “There’s no need to bring this up again because I know how he’ll react.”
Terminating: The last stage of coming apart; more of an event than a process; involves exchanges of typical communicative elements, possibly beginning with a summary message that recaps the relationship and provides a reason for the termination
