SMALL GROUP

COMMUNICATION

What is small group communication?

The interaction between three to nine people
who are working together to achieve an
interdependent goal

Characteristics of a small group

1-Three or more people
2-Face-to-face interaction
3-A span of time
4-A common goal or task

Why We Work in Small Groups?

Groups usually produce more and better
solutions to problems than do individuals
working alone.

Types of small groups

1-Task-oriented groups
2-Relationship-oriented groups
3-Assigned groups
4-Emergent groups

Task-oriented groups
Formed for completing tasks
Formed to solve a problem
Formed to generate ideas
EXAMPLES:
A support group for people with
HIV/AIDS
A book club

Relationship-oriented groups
Groups formed to promote
interpersonal connections and that
are more focused on quality
interactions that contribute to the
well-being of group members.
EXAMPLE:
Family

Assigned groups
Appointed hierarchy
When individuals are appointed to be
members
EXAMPLE:
Student union advisory board

Emergent groups
When a group of individuals decide
to form a group
environmental conditions
EXAMPLE:
Group of friends who meet at college

The functions of group

work
Solving problems
Making decisions
Negotiating conflict
Fostering creativity
Maintaining ties to stakeholders

Advantages of Small Group decisionmaking

Synergy: the whole is greater than
the sum of its parts
Risky shift phenomenon: you will risk
as a group what you wont risk as an
individual

Disadvantages of Small Group

decision-making
social loafing
When one or two people are
assigned a task, they know theyre
being watched and are apt to
shoulder the burden
Groupthink
May sap the creative potential of the
members.