Chapter 10 - Group Communication

1. 1. Defining Groups and Teams

1.1. According to Wood (2003) a group must have, “three or more people who interact over time, depend on each other, and follow shared rules of conduct to reach a common goal” (p. 274). Gerald Wilson defines a group as, “a collection of three or more individuals who interact about some common problem or interdependent goal and can exert mutual influence over one another” (2002, p. 14). He goes on to say that the three key components of a group are, “size, goal orientation, and mutual influence” (p. 14). Interpersonal communication is often thought about in terms of dyads.

1.2. Characteristics of Groups

1.2.1. Interdependence

1.2.2. Interaction

1.2.3. Synergy

1.2.4. Common Goals

1.2.5. Shared Norms

1.2.6. Cohesiveness

1.3. Types of Groups

1.3.1. Primary Groups

1.3.2. Secondary Groups

1.3.3. Activity Groups

1.3.4. Personal Growth Groups

2. 2. The Importance of Studying Communication in Groups and Teams

3. What's Missing?

3.1. fvdsa

4. 4. Groups Roles

5. 5. Leadership In Groups

6. 6. Group Norms

7. 7. Decision Making In Groups

8. 8. Group Work and Time

9. 9. Groups and Technology