GROUP COMMUNICATION

GROUP COMMUNICATION TOPIC 3 （PART2）

Communication in problem-solving groups

• Problem solving effectiveness is determined by 

1. Sending & receiving skills
2. Group norms and procedure of communication 
3. The pattern of communication will determine the efficiency of communication in the group and satisfaction of group members.

• Views of communication patterns include 

1. Interaction analysis 
2. Communication  network 
3. Authority hierarchy 

Interaction analysis 
Three levels :

1. Relative frequency and length of communication 
2. Who communication with whom ?
3. Who triggers whom and in what ways?

Theories :
1. Bales'1953 equilibrium theory and interaction-process analysis

• Effective groups must maintain a balance between task and socio-emotional activity.
• Bales' developed an observation system-IPA to analyse the interaction among group members.

2. Homans'1950

• External system: achieving its goal and adapting to its environment.
• Internal system: relationship among group members and the development of the group. 

3. Gouran and Hirokawa 1996

• Promotive function : promoting sounds reasoning and critical thinking 
• Counteractive function : preventing group from making error.

Communication network
1. Representative of the acceptable paths of communication among members.

2. Communication network influence :

• The emergence of leadership
• How the organization develops 
• The morale of group members 
• The efficiency of problems solving 

Communication patterns in authority hierarchies 

• Authority is the organization structure 

It is created to establish everyone's place & communication hierarchy but sometimes it affects the communication among group members.

3 patterns of formal communication network:

• One way communication without feedback 
• One way communication with feedback       
• Two-way communication :                              
  
              

What will happen when one-way communication is used in a group? 

• Poor understanding of the message.           
• Members turn to informal for clarification 
• Gatekeepers are created.                                  
• Message are simplified based on frame of reference, interest, experience, tasks.                          

Gatekeepers is a person who translate and interprets messages,information and new development to group mates.        

• Information.                                                       
• Technological.                                          

Influence on effectiveness group communication                                           

1. Group climate - competitive (defensive communication) /cooperative (more accurate and complete)

2.physical setting.                                      

3.group norms.                                          

4.seating arrangements.                          

5.humor.