� Definition of communication
A transactional process whereby two or more individuals exchange information through the assignment of meaning.
Symbols & mediation through channels
� Definition of small groups
Possess a common purpose. Interpersonal belonging & influence.
Dyad: two people. Small group: 3+ people
� Definition of teams
Often synonymous with small groups; familial origins
Clear, well defined goals and responsibilities. Rules and expectations; results-driven
Coordinated, collaborative, committed.
� Two functions of theories
Explanatory function
Predictive function
� Systems theory
Interdependence
Variables: input, process, and output
Synergy, entropy, and equifinality
� Social exchange theory
a social psychological and sociological perspective that explains social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties.
How people feel about their relationships with others
cost/benefits. What being with someone else could be
� Symbolic convergence theory
Sharing of group fantasies which brings about symbolic convergence of all. Connection forged out of shared drama.
� Symbolic cues
Shared trigger to initiate a specific response. Shared code-> group response.
� Engaging in an existing shared code
Research what the shared codes are and determine what they are to build your understanding to get in.
� Structural theory
Concerned with the way society functions. The various institutions that make up society. External ones.
� Functional theory
Framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to bring solidarity.
� Groups to consider when preparing for the job market
Interviewer(s), potential coworkers, potential subordinates, other departments, management
� Ways to collect information about an organization
Organization's website, product/service, informational interviews, informal conversation, potential visit
� Types of knowledge about an organization (preparation)
Organization's public image, culture, structure, foreseen problems and potential solutions
� Traits of a resume
30-90 seconds to read, organized but not too much structure, visually appealing, proofread, accurate
� Bad resume moves
Too much white space, misspelling, leaves details out, uses strange patterns, too many fonts or designs, cramming too much
� Common workplace concerns
Lack of a creative outlet
Financial constraints (negotiating pay)
Problematic work groups
Difficulty interfacing with one's boss
� Facts and tips regarding pay negotiation
Women make 7.6% less than men
7% of women negotiate, 57% men do
Pay is compounded over 35 year career
� Strategies for cover letters
Should not repeat resume in excess, provides a cohesive narrative, address job, provide discussion regarding group culture
� Structure
A set of rules and resources used to generate the system
� Rules
A moral side. Propositions that indicate how something ought to be done. Good/bad.
Resources
Materials, knowledge, etc.
� Structuration
Concerned with the ways in which structure, rules, and resources produce and replicate social systems.
� Causal fallacy/post hoc ergo propter hoc
logical fallacy that states "Since event Y followed event X, event Y must have been caused by event X. Ex: Water
� Either/or fallacy
Two options. Either this or that.
� Bandwagon fallacy
the opinion of the majority is always valid: that is, everyone believes it, so you should too.
� Hasty generalization
Making a fast decision based on insufficient evidence or not looking at all the details enough.
� Ad hominem attack
Attacking speaker instead of argument
� Red herring
Distracting or misleading away from evidence or claim
� Maslow's theory
Psychological need, safety, belonging, esteem, self-actualization
� Schutz's theory
Inclusion, control, affection
� Social loafing
Tendency for people to hold back from contributing bc they think someone else will do work
� Tuckman's theory on process
Forming, storming, norming, performing
Added adjourning to final stage
� Strodtbeck's theory on process
Orientation, evaluation, and control
� The most significant challenge to theory
Groups can develop and make decisions using a variety of possible steps
� Primacy effect
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� IPO Model
Input-Process-Output
Idea that a group's actual productivity (outputs) does not reach potential because resources (inputs) are transformed through inefficient group processes
� Emotional stability and extraversion
Ties into openness
� Individual predisposition to disliking groups can impact...
PROCESS
� Typical interview questions
Tell us about yourself, how did you hear about the position? What is your greatest strengths and weakness? Tell us about a challenge.
� Traditional communication model
Sender-> encodes -> channel -> message -> channel -> decodes -> receiver
� Multiple sequence model
The model developed to avoid the oversimplications of the phasic conception, yet at the same time, account for the observable unity of group activity
� Activity tracks
Tasks process activities, relational activities, topical focus
� Breakpoints
Developmental transitions that govern the group's pacing and serve as a good indicator of linkages among threads of activities
� Normal breakpoints, delays, disruptions
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� Goffman and the presentation of ourselves
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� Butler's idea of gender as performative
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� Bourdieu's habitus
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� Tips for the elevator pitch
Tell us about yourself. What do you do? How do you characterize yourself? No more than 2 minutes. Share important and interesting facts. Personal/points from resume.
� Types of distance
intimate, personal, social, public
� Fixed features
Dictate what proxemic patterns people establish among themselves
Ex: volume of space available
� Semi-fixed features
Proxemic arrangements resulting from movable environmental structures such as furniture
Communicating through these configurations as people distance themselves
� Sociopetal arrangement
Furniture that brings people together. I.e. bars so people can communicate
� Sociofugal arrangement
Arrangements that turn people away from one another
Social interaction not encouraged, hotels, airports with lots of space
� Communication dance
...
nature of interaction
...
� Nonperson orientation
Acting as if the other person were not present or were merely an object
� Nonverbal responses to discomfort
Restless limbs, fidgeting, scratching, avoiding eye contact, making body blocks, leaning away, going away
� Territorial markers
Fences, signs, or locks that clearly signal boundaries to "outsiders
� Committee hiring examples (like those we practiced in class)
Experience vs. education. Interests and resume gap.
� Main thesis behind Denzin's piece (also discussed in class)
Mixed-methods communication
We look at mixed methods to create a unique perspective of a situation
Interdisciplinary focus
� Henman's overall claim
Identifies the fundamental characteristics of a small group as viewed from a systems perspective
Interdependence. Interlocking relationships to create a structure that exists in other systems. cause/effect. Collaboration.
� Gouran and Hirokawa's tips for effective problem-solving
Functional Perspective Theory
Developed to explain how group communication contributes to, and inhibits, groups decision-making and problem-solving effectiveness
The theory specifies how group members should, and should not, interact to maximize their cha
� Bormann's definition of Symbolic Convergence Theory and examples
Sharing of group fantasies which brings about symbolic convergence for all participants
Ex: examining messages and effect on group culture; drama/tension
� Poole's ideas regarding process
Structuration Theory
Concerned with how people create relational and behavioural patterns and regularities in their groups by making use of social rules and resources
� Gersick's discussion of time
Punctuated Equilibrium Model
This model characterizes the group development process as periods of stable or habitual routines that are disrupted by transition periods, where abrupt and often dramatic changes in behaviours and focus occur.
During these tra
� Poole's Multiple Sequence Model
All groups go through a sequence of developmental stages
Phase/Stage - connotes periods of more or less unified activity to fulfill functions necessary for completing a group task
The phasic model is great for research but realistically there are no ways
� Burgoon's description of spatial relationships
Nonverbal communication in small groups
� Haslett and Olilvie's ideas regarding feedback
Feedback: the response listeners give to others about their behavior
We can understand how our behavior affects them
Responses to behavior help us define our identities
Setting is important - individuals actively seek information about themselves and thei
� Brashers' discussion of influence
Example - PETA is an "influence network that begins with the individual, supports the formation of subgroups, provides resources and information at the group level and finally fosters intergroup connections"
Uses lots of persuasion
Social Comparison Theor
� Hirokawa's perspective on effective group decision making
Proper understanding of the problem
Appropriate choice-making objectives
Accurate evaluation of the positive and negative qualities of available choices
� Clark and Sline's notion of emotionality and its impact on group dynamic
Negative emotions don't necessarily have a bad influence on teams
Must acknowledge emotions as natural component of human interactions and allow members to create own norms for managing emotionality