Small Group Communication

As it relates to Theatre Production

- three or more people

- face-to-face interaction

- a span of time

- a common goal or task

The four basic characteristics of a small group

What is Small Group Communication?

Why Work in Small Groups?

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

Shaw, M. E. Group Dynamics: the Psychology of Small Group Behavior. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1976

Factors of Productivity

Task-Oriented

*Task Demand

*Resources

*Process

*Group Size

*Group Composition

*Potential Payoff

Types of Small Groups

Task Demand

Are the demands of the production or season equivalent to our current ability?

Do we have enough time available to examine all the issues, acquire information, and consider all alternatives?

Will we need any special tools or training in order to accomplish this?

Resources

Do we have the right type and quantities of materials?

Do we have adequate human resources (skill level and number)?

Do we have the money to acquire either/both of these resources?

Process

How are we planning?

How are we implementing our plans?

Are we adapting our plan to meet new challenges or needed changes?

Group Size

Are we too small and feel the project is too large for us to meet?

Are we too large and feel that the level of involvement from all members is varying?

As the group size increases, are we:

1) creating more complex and indirect communication patterns

2) meeting the level or organization needed to fit the group size

3) losing productivity due to fewer demands on individuals

4) losing personal satisfaction in the process due to accomplishments feeling watered-down

Group Composition

How different are the members in terms of education, race, gender, prior experiences, skill sets, and attitudes?

How can we use these differences to work to our advantage?

How are these differences affecting the group dynamics?

Potential Payoff

What is the reward for the group and the individual?

“Is the payoff worth working within the group?

Follow the Leader

A leader is essentially defined as “…one who can influence a group to develop something which would not have happened had the leader not been present”.*

*Seaman, Don F. Working Effectively with Task-Oriented Groups. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981.

What is a leader?

Leadership in the Small Group

3 Common Styles of Leadership

1) Authoritarian- “My way or the highway”

2) Democratic- “All for one, and one for all”

3) Laissez-faire- “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

Basic Qualities for Leadership

1) Knowledge of the group process

2) Ability to think quickly

3) Language and speech skills

4) Knowledge of the subject

5) Sensitivity to group trends

6) Self-restraint and respect for others

7) Ability to verbalize sentiments

8) Ability to clarify

Group Climate

Group Climate refers to the atmosphere in which the group interacts with each other.

Supportive ClimatesDefensive Climates

Evaluation Description

Control Problem Orientation

Strategy Spontaneity

Neutrality Empathy

Superiority Equality

Conflict Oxford American Dictionary describes conflict as a “disagreement between people with different ideas or beliefs”

“Conflict is not really harmful to the group as long as it fosters creative discussions about the task to be accomplished.” *

*Seaman, Don F. Working Effectively with Task-Oriented Groups. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981.

Conflict can be detrimental to a group when it

1) Prohibits the group from completing its task

2) Interferes with the quality of the group’s decision

3) Threatens the existence of the group

Reasons for Conflict

Differences in Personality

Differences in Perception

Differences in Information

Differences in Power or Influences

Conflict can be directed at people, ideas or both.

Differences in Language and Thought

We assimilate information different ways

Block

Types of Conflict

Pseudo-Conflict

Simple Conflict

Ego Conflict

How to spot Conflict1) Members are impatient with each other

2) Ideas are attacked before they are completely expressed

3) Members take sides and refuse to compromise

4) Members disagree on plans or suggestions

5) Comments and suggestions are made with a great deal of vehemence

6) Members attack each other on a personal level in subtle ways

7) Members insist that the group doesn’t have the knowledge or experience

8) Members feel the group cannot get ahead because it’s too large or too small

9) Members disagree with the leader’s suggestions

10) Members accuse each other of not understanding the real point

11) Members hear distorted fragments of each other’s contributions

Why does Conflict exist?

1) The group feels they have been given a task which seems impossible, and members are frustrated because they feel unable to meet the demands made of them.

2) The main concern of members is to attain status in the group.

3) Members are loyal to outside groups of conflicting interests.

4) Members feel involved and are working too hard on a problem.

Questions to Ask• Is the task too large or impossible for the group?• Are the members clear about the task? Is there any

confusion?• Do members not agree with the group’s decisions?• Are members involved for status reasons?• Do all members wish to be a part of the group?• Does every member have the pertinent information

needed?• Is the conflict destructive or is it fostering ideas?• Are there any hidden agendas within the group?• Are members apathetic about the work at hand?

Myths about Conflict

Myth #1 Conflict should be avoided at all costs

Myth # 2 All Conflict occurs because people do not understand each other

Myth # 3 All conflicts can be resolved

Groupthink

Groupthink—“the illusion of agreement. This occurs when a group strives to minimize conflict and reach a consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas”

Non-Verbal Communication

Vocalics-sounds a person makes that accompany his or her verbal messages (also called paralanguage)

Kinesics-body language

Eye Behavior

As a Leader

Pick an appropriate room size

Pick appropriate type of room and style

Engage others in eye contact

Encourage non talkers out of corners

Phrase questions so they require more than a yes/no answer

Be controversial

BibliographyBeebe, Steven A., John T. Masterson, Communicating in Small Groups; Principles and Practices, 4th Ed. Harper Collins College Publishers, New York, 1994

 Bertcher, Harvey J. Group Participation; Techniques for Leaders and Members,. 2nd Ed. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, 1994

 Book, Cassandra, Kathleen Galvin, Instruction in and about Small Group Discussion, Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Urbana, IL, 1975

 Cragan, John F., David W. Wright, Communication in Small Group Discussions; A Case Study Approach. West Publishing Co. St. Paul, MN 1980

 Hare, A. Paul, Creativity in Small Groups, Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, 1982

 Hartley, Peter, Group Communication, Routledge, New York, 1997

 Seaman, Don F. Working Effectively with Task-Oriented Groups, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1981

 Shaw, M. E., Group Dynamics: the Psychology of Small Group Behavior. 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1976

 Ulschak, Francis L., Leslie Nathanson, Peter G. Gillian, Small Group Problem Solving; An Aid to Organizational Effectiveness,. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA. 1981