“Messy Housemates”

Submitted by:

Brichta KrystofCottle Amy

Fullmer JessicaGutaj AbnoreOrzco Britney

Petersen Amber Petersen Stephanie

Salt Lake Community College

Instructor: Mr David PackCOMM-1010

October 26th, 2014

List of Contents

Title page Page1Executive Summary Page2Project Description Page3Methods Page4Conclusion Page8

Work cited Page9

Appendix 1-Copy of Team contract

Appendix 2-Copy of Solution chart

Appendix 3-Participation points assign

Executive Summary

Group Projects are hard especially because of working in a group, where we depend on each others work. Luckily our group was dependable and well communicative, so we could find a right solution to an everyday problem of most of current college students or graduates, ‘Messy Housemates’.

After four meetings, frying our brains while thinking, brainstorming and other smart people activities we came to a solution, how to deal with messy housemates and still keep everything down low by the ground and pretty calm.

Project Description

This group project had two purposes, one direct and one indirect. First one, the direct one is pretty easy. Built a group of students, pick a theme and then solve it. Our group decided to start working-and later on successfully finish - “Case Study #9, Messy Housemates”.

We were able to be successful, because we faced the second, the indirect purpose, of this assignment. Challenges of a group working: working hard, doing our work by deadlines, help others, keep in touch and last but not least to realize that some other’s grade depends on our work and if we are going to do it the responsible way. And this is what we came up with:

Methods

As the method of choice our group used the Reflecting-Thinking. Reflective thinking is type of critical thinking where you are going into the past. You are trying to learn from the past, and by determining if solutions from the past were successful or not, and after that use only ‘the good’ and bring up the right solution. The exact method we used is PAC-BOY Dewey Reflective-Thinking Sequence and here are the steps:

Define the problemHow can we prevent the resentment that is building up

among us over a messy environment? There is one group of 5 students living together. Inside that group, there are 2 other groups; one who wants to  continue with their cleaning duties and one who wants to ignore them. Everyone is affected even the people who don’t want to clean-maybe they are feeling so overwhelmed with school that they aren’t managing their time very well.  The goals of the 2 are to stay on top of the original cleaning plan. The goals of the 3 don’t really have intentions but they probably have been too busy, or truly don’t care about the cleaning. defined our case study. How to be assertive to a messy housemate; how to explain him what we would like him to change or ask him to be more clean. But ask him the way that it will not offend him or change that relation with him to worse.

Analyze the problem

Each member of group was assigned with specific research to do: Problems in the past, Solutions from the past, Harms in the past. We used trustworthy sources which were cited.

1 Characteristics:  What are the symptoms of the problem? Include positive as well as negative aspects of the current situation.

 The problem is living with people that don’t think it is necessary to clean up after themselves or do not contribute in continual upkeep, to keep things under control. 

Charcteristics: Social Problems:

1 I can clean things the way I want them and I like knowing things are done right, but I am spending a lot of extra time cleaning.

2 We have a good relationship and don’t want to hurt feel-ings by arguing about it.

3 Contributing all the work and starting to feel resentment because of the lack of respect to my time and energy I put into keeping things clean.

 Health Problems:1.  It can be a health hazard when things are left too long, bac-teria and many things can grow and transmit in an unhealthy environment and cause you or others to get sick.  To protect you and your family from germs, hygiene experts say you should focus your cleaning efforts on germ hotspots in the home, such as cleaning cloths, sponges and chopping boards.Germs mainly enter the home on people, food and pets. Once they're in, they can spread from person to person, or from per-son to surface and back again. Psychological Problems:

1  A messy environment can cause stress and make you feel more overwhelmed. Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and our-selves. Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of in our lives. (psychol-gytoday.com) Clutter creates feelings of guilt. (“I should be more organized") and, especially when others unexpect-edly drop by our homes or work spaces.(psychologytoday.-com)

2 Stakeholders:  What persons or groups of persons are af-fected by this problem? How does this problem impact each group? What are each group’s goals?  (Think outside

the box.  Include as many different sets of stakeholders as you can think of.)

1 Policies and politics: What regulations, professional re-quirements, political considerations, and/or ethical expec-tations might impact your solution?

Policies:Since there is no law about having to keep things clean then our ethical expectations will to be to have a written chore list that rotates so all the main areas stay clean.  The individual rooms are that persons responsibility and can choose how to keep it.  With this idea they know what is expected and you won’t argue about it every week so they can preserve their re-lationship. Trying to find solution that benefits both, talk about the problem and try to implement the golden rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated by them. Easy to say help them, with what bothers them on you and on the others they might try to be less bothered.

Politics:We will help by using effective listening skills, along with con-firming, rather than disconfirming, messages (Adler & Elmhorst, 128).  We could also make a consensus of the collective group to have support from everyone living together. Morality:Fortunately, unlike other more commonly recognized sources of stress (e.g., our jobs, our relationships), clutter is one of the easiest life stressors to fix.  We want them to use this help ev-eryone relieve some stress from their lives.   

1 Resources:  What references did you consult to get ideas for good solutions?  (You are required to use your commu-nication text as one of your references.)  Who else did you talk to?  What did you learn from these references?   How much time and money are you willing to commit?

 Own parents and friends:  Have dealt with problem like this with spouses and children, ask what they have done in the past to solve this problem and what hasn’t worked.  We consulted each

other, and went of past experiences that we’ve had while at-tending college, and while growing up with siblings. We think this problem requires a lot of money, but it might require a few minutes to make up a cleaning rotation chart.  We also con-sulted our moms to get ideas because they made cleaning charts for us when we were younger. Internet:  There are many articles and easy ideas on how to change habits and ways to relieve these stresses.

Brainstorming Solutions

1. Have another roommate meeting to talk about what needs to be done.2. Create cleaning schedule/chore charts.3. Set a time limit for things to be clean.4. Talk to your RA about what to do.5. Meet with them individually and discuss what need to be cleaned by each person.Criteria

Criteria – Develop at least seven strong criteria that a good so-lution will meet. (logic)

 Our solution will …..1 apply principles of effective communication that we are

learning in the class.2 be achievable within our four week time frame.3 cost less than ___$5____ .4 –Be a solution that every member in the group would be

happy with5 –Include everyone in the group6 –Be a fair solution for everyone involved7 –Make it a solution that you can follow the progress to see

how the plan is working – the outcome is measurable.8 –Make a chart for everyone’s responsibilities that they

must do during the week9 –Find organizational tools to help keep things in order10 – Include and be respectful of every roomate’s opinions

Propose solutionAs a solution in general we accepted combination, which

was a combination of the solutions used in the past. This solution didn’t come to live until the next step.

Evaluate solutionWe used the chart, that was proposed in the assignment

description, to grade how well the solution goes with earlier established criteria. Almost all of the solution were equal, but solution 5 was the top choice.

Select a solutionMeet with them individually and discuss what need to be

cleaned by each person and make a chart if necessary as reminders.

Suggest strategies to Implement the solutionOwn parents and friends:  Have dealt with problem like

this with spouses and children, ask what they have done in the past to solve this problem and what hasn’t worked.  We consulted each other, and went off past experiences that we’ve had while attending college, and while growing up with siblings. We think this problem requires a lot of money, but it might require a few minutes to make up a cleaning rotation chart.  We also consulted our moms to get ideas because they made cleaning charts for us when we were younger. Internet:  There are many articles and easy ideas on how to change habits and ways to relieve these stresses. Then talk to roommates individually and ask them if they would be willing step in and taking turns with different jobs each week to make the cleaning fair. See their responses and make a chart if necessary.

Conclusion

Principle of this group project was to challenge us to step out of our comfort zone and responsibly work in a group of fairly unknown people, get them to know better and overcome our differences, while solving a mock-case in communications to learn to work with the PAC-BOY Dewey Reflective-Thinking Sequence.

I was able to talk to my roommates and change the work load in our house by talking to them individually. Each was willing to rotate responsibilities and try harder to make the load lighter on everyone. Some after a while became a little forgetful and didn’t always

remember, so we made a chart that went on the fridge so everyone would have an extra reminder and that has helped everyone to remember their responsibility. Overall I think it was a big success in making a difference.

We can responsibly and honestly say that we succeeded in all of the points / challenges listed above!

Work cited

http://faculty.scf.edu/frithl/SPC1608update/handouts/Dewey.htm, Accesed online, Oct 25, 2014.

Adler & Elmhorst. (2013). Communicating at Work: Strategies for Success in Business and the Professions (SLCC Custom Edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.

www.psychologytoday.com

www.nhs.uk

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130522071320AAxXrrp , accessed online, 1334, Oct 5th, 2014, http://www.thekitchn.com/what-are-some-good-strategies-for-dealing-with- messy-roommates-good-questions-182724 , accessed online 1334, Oct 5th, 2014.

Appendix 1

Copy of Contract

Team Contract

DevelopRelational Norms    (3 or more)     (see Table 7-4)

1 Example:  We commit to putting group goals above per-sonal goals, so we will each MAKE the time to participate fully in each step of this project.

We agree to:• Contribute Equally• Communicate often weekly until project is finished.• Participate equally in each section of assignment.

DevelopTask Norms    (3 or more) 

    (see Table 7-4)1 Example:  If we have to miss a meeting, we will email our

info to all members at least one day in advance. 

• Be aware of all deadlines.• Don’t ignore others ideas.• If we miss a meeting, email info to leader at least one day

in advance. Assign Relational Roles(see Table 7-2)  You may assign multiple roles to members.1. Organizer and Gatekeeper- Amy, Amber & Britney2. Harmonizer and Praise Giver- Jessica & Stephanie3. Energizer and Tension Reliever- Arbnore & Krystof Assign Task Roles(see Table 7-2)You may assign a leader [recommended] or rotate leadership.Leader: Amy CottleTeam Contract Analysis: 

• Are your norms and roles realistic? • Is EVERY member really willing & able to abide by them?• Have you set up a way to enforce these norms and roles?• If not, revise them NOW. 

Leader: list here the initials of all members who agree to abide by this contract.All Members Agree

Appendix 2

Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solu-tion 5 Solution 6Criterion 1 0 2 5 5 3 1Criterion 2 4 4 2 5 5 4Criterion 3 1 0 2 2 3 3Criterion 4 4 0 0 0 2 1Criterion 5 5 5 5 2 3 4Totals: 14 11 14 14 16 13 

Appendix 3

Brichta Krystof- 10 Always showed up to meetings on time and contributed to all assignments told to do.

Cottle Amy- 12 She was our leader and put all our meetings together. She was very good about getting things put together in the end and taking control if necessary.

Fullmer Jessica- 10 Went the extra mile if necessary to accomplish the assignments and attended all the meetings.

Gutaj Abnore- 9 Attended meetings but was sometimes late and accomplished assignments but sometimes subpar.

Orzco Britney-9 Attended meetings and good input but had subpar assignments.

Petersen Amber-11 I tried to go the extra mile on the assignments and attended all the meetings and backed up Amy when necessary.

Petersen Stephanie-9 Did not contribute well in meetings or in communication to follow up. Did complete assignments given but were subpar.