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.