Small Group Overview

Dyadic communcation

idea

That they are applied in two-person interactions.

Refers to interaction among three or more people who are connected through a common purpose.

Characteristics of small groups

Different groups have different characteristics, serve different purposes and can lead to positive, neutral or negative experiences.

Types of small Groups

while our interpersonal relationships primarily focus on relationship building, small groups usually focus on some sort of task completion or goal accomplishment.

there are many types of small groups.

but the most common distinction made between types of small groups is that of task-oriented and relational groups.

Task-oriented groups are formed to solve a problem, promote a cause, or generate idea or information.

The three main types of tasks are

Production

discussion

problem solving tasks.

Idea

Task-oriented groups require honed problem-solving skills to accomplish goals and the structure of these groups is more rigid than that of relational-oriented groups.

Relational-oriented groups are formed to promote interpersonal connections and are more focused on quality interactions that contribute to well-being of group members.

For instance,

a family unit woks together daily to accomplish tasks like getting the kids ready and most meaningful interactions are still relational

Advantages and Disadvantages of small groups

advantages of small groups

Idea

Shared decision making, share resources, synergy and exposure of diversity.

Group Cohesion and Climate

when is something chesion

It sticks together and the cohesion within a group helps establish an overall group climate.

group climate refers to the relatively enduring tone and quality of group interaction that is experienced similarly by group members

Leader styles

Hiwot woldu

In general

effective leaders do not fit solely into one style in any of the following classifications.

one common ways to study leadership style is to make a distinction among autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire leaders

Autocratic leaders set policies and make decisions primarily on their own, taking advantage of the power present in their title or status to set the agenda for the group.

Democratic leaders facilitates group discussion and like to take input from all members before making decision.

Laissez-faire leaders take a"hands-off' approach, preferring to give group members freedom to reach and implement their own decisions.

Problem solving and decision making in groups.

The problem solving process involves thoughts, discussions, actions and decisions that occur from the first consideration of a problematic situation to the goal.

But

some common problems budgeting founds, raising funds, planning events, addressing customer or citizen complaints, creating or adapting products or services to fit needs.

Step 1: define the problem

Idea

By considering the three elements shared by every problem: the current undesirable situation, the goal or more desirable situation and obstacles in the way.

Step 2: Analyze the problem

During this step a group should analyze the problem and the group's relationship to the problem.

Step 3: Generate possible solutions

During this step, group members generate possible solutions to the problem.

Step 4:Evaluate Solutions.

During this step,solutions can be critically evaluated based on their credibility, completeness and worth.

Idea

Once the potential solutions have been narrowed based on more obvious differences in relevance and or merit the should analyze each solution based on its potential effects-especially negative effects.

Step 5: Implement and Assess the solution

Implementing

Decision making in group.

We all engage in personal decision making daily, and we all know that some decisions are more difficult than others.

when we make decisions in groups, we face some challenges that we do not face in our personal decision making, but also stand to benefit from some advantages of group decision making.

Brainstorming before decision making

they need to generate possible solutions to their problem.

The originator of the term brainstorming said the following four rules must be followed for the technique to be effective.

Evaluation of ideas is forbidden

Wild and crazy idea are encourage

Quantity of idea, not quality, is the goal

New combination of ideas presented are encouraged.

Discussion before decision making.

The nominal group technique decision guides decision making through a four-step process that includes idea generation and evaluation and seeks to elicit contributions from all group members.

Silently and individually list ideas

Create a master list of ideas

Clarify ideas as needed

Take a secret vote to rank group members' acceptance of ideas

Six hats method of decision making.

Edward de Bono developed the Six Hats method of thinking in the late 1980s, and it has since become a regular feature in decision-making training business and professional contexts.

White hat

Red hat

Black hat

Yellow hat

Green hat

Blue hat

Objective -focuses on seeking information such as data and facts and then processes that information in a neutral way.

Emotional-use intuitions

Negative -focuses on potential risks, points out possibilities for failure, and evaluates information cautiously and defensively.

positive-is optimistic about suggestion

Creative -tries to generate new ideas and solution

Philosophical-uses meta-communication to organize and reflect on the thinking

Vocabulary

necessitates

alternatives

perspective

complementary

approaches

come near or learner to

Outlook,view

make necessary as a result

available as another possibility

a thing that completes or bring to perfection.

Question

what is important in group when they make decision?

In my experience

It is very important to listen each other opinions and make sure everyone is agree with that decision otherwise will offend someone feeling.

Question

What is the better idea to solve problem in groups

In my experience

In small group to solve problem is not easy so it is better if ask each other what idea they have to solve the problem and you can add I think this is better if we can do this, so if you think this is better we can do this so the group can agree with you if you ask them their idea.