SMALL GROUP Communication 

Group is the collection of people with a common purpose: that is , they share agoal or objective, are working toward the same end, or are collected as a groupto achieve a particular result. Beyond that, people in groups are organized,have awareness of one another as members of the same group, and carry outcommunication among themselves.

Types of group: ‐1. Formal groups2. Advisory groups3. Creative groups4. Support groups5. Networking groups

Formation of Groups: ‐

According to BrriceTrickman (1965) 5 stages of group development are there –1. FORMING – The group begins to come into existence and seeks guidance

and direction from a leader concerning the nature of its task andprocedures.

2. STORMING – The group starts the creative process of focusing on itsgoals but may become entangled in socio‐emotional and relationshipstorms and interpersonal conflict between individuals.

3. NORMING – The group starts to define its purposes, roles andprocedures and begins moving more formally toward a solution of itstask.

4. PERFORMING – Having established how it will perform its task, thegroup now does so, with members not only seeking solutions to theirproblems but being careful about one another’s feelings and roles in thegroup.

5. Adjourning – Having performed its functions, the group reflects on itsachievements, underlines its performative accomplishments, and closesitself down. There is a certain amount of self‐congratulation at thisstage: Good job, everyone.

Another similar phase model was proposed by communication scholar ArirbeyFisher Iano in terms of a progression: ‐

Orientation: The group members get to know one another – assuming, of course, they do not already – and come to grips with the problems they have convened to deal with. 

Conflict: The group argues about the possible ways of approaching the problem and begins to find solutions. 

Emergence: Developed from the previous stage, emergence occurs when some daylight of consensus begins to dawn and the groups starts to move toward agreement.

Reinforcement: The group recognizes that it is reaching consensus and explicitly consolidated that complete the task. 

Features of Groups: ‐

1. Togetherness Have common motives and goals. Divide the labor in a way that leads to interdependence.  Show commitment to each other as well as for the group. Develops group cohesiveness. 

2. Expectations About Performance: ‐ Group usually expects particular behavior from members. Develop group norms – involve established status, relationships, 

values, and sanctions and that is, rules and procedures occurring in a group but not necessarily outside it are enforced by the use of power or rules for behavior. 

Have their own group sanctions, or punishments for “stepping out of line”, speaking out of turn, or failing to accept the ruling of the chair or leader.

A group culture, another form of expectation set that affects groups, can take many forms and may be evident in how members talk to one another, the clothes they wear while working as a group, or the special terms and language or jokes they use. 

Types of Groups: ‐This image cannot currently be displayed.