Page 210 - Essentials of Human Communication

Problem-Solving Groups 189

encouraging quantity of ideas, combinations and exten- The skills covered in this chapter focus on your ability to
sions of ideas, and freewheeling. function effectively in a variety of small groups. Place a check
mark next to those skills you want to work on most.
Information-Sharing Groups
1. I actively seek to discover the norms of the groups
8. Information-sharing groups (e.g., learning groups and in which I function and take these norms into
focus groups) attempt to acquire new information or consideration when interacting in the group.
skill through a mutual sharing of knowledge or insight.
2. I can communicate in virtual groups, such as
social networking groups.
personal Growth Groups 3. I can adjust my messages and listening in light of
9. The personal growth group helps members to deal with differences between high-context and low-context
personal problems and to function more effectively. Popu- cultures.
lar types of personal growth groups are the encounter 4. I follow the general rules when brainstorming:
group, the assertiveness training group, the consciousness- I avoid negative criticism, strive for quantity,
raising group, and the intervention group. combine and extend the contributions of others,
and contribute as wild an idea as I can.
problem-Solving Groups 5. I appropriately re-stimulate a brainstorming
group that has lost its steam.
10. The problem-solving group attempts to solve a particular
problem, or at least to reach a decision that may be a pref- 6. I employ organizational structure in educational
ace to solving the problem, and may do so through deci- or learning groups.
sion by authority, majority rule, or consensus. 7. I interact responsibly in personal growth groups.
11. The steps in the problem-solving approach are (1) define 8. I follow the six steps when in group problem-
and analyze the problem, (2) establish criteria for evaluat- solving situations: Define and analyze the prob-
ing solutions, (3) identify possible solutions, (4) evaluate lem, establish the criteria for evaluating solutions,
solutions, (5) select the best solution(s), and (6) test identify possible solutions, evaluate solutions,
selected solution(s). select the best solution(s), and test selected
12. Small group approaches that are widely used in business solution(s).
today include the nominal group, the Delphi method, and 9. I can make use of techniques such as the nominal
quality circles. group, Delphi method, and quality circles.

key Word Quiz

The language of Small Group i. nominal group (186)
Communication j. focus group (182)
Match the terms about small group communication with their
definitions. Record the number of the definition next to the 1. A group of employees charged with identifying ways to
appropriate term. improve the organization.
a. interdependence (175) 2. A series of prepared presentations introduced and
b. group norms (178) coordinated by a leader.
c. quality circles (188) 3. A kind of in-depth interview of a small group.
4. Rules or standards identifying which behaviors are
d. brainstorming (180) considered appropriate and which are considered
e. team (175) inappropriate in a group.
f. high-context culture (179) 5. A type of agreement in which group members all agree
g. symposium (177) that a solution is acceptable.
h. consensus (186)