Small Group
Characteristics
Types of Small Groups
Task-oriented groups: formed to solve a problem, promote a cause, or generate ideas or information. In such groups, like a committee or study group, interactions and decisions are primarily evaluated based on the quality of the final product or output. The three main types of tasks are production, discussion, and problem-solving tasks. 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: formed to promote interpersonal connections and are more focused on quality interactions that contribute to the well-being of group members. Decision making is directed at strengthening or repairing relationships rather than completing discrete tasks or debating specific ideas or courses of action. All groups include task and relational elements, so it’s best to think of these orientations as two ends of a continuum rather than as mutually exclusive.
For example, although a family unit works together daily to accomplish tasks like getting the kids ready for school and friendship groups may plan a surprise party for one of the members, their primary and most meaningful interactions are still relational.
Advantages of Small Groups
Advantages of small groups include shared decision making, shared resources, synergy, and exposure to diversity. It is within small groups that most of the decisions that guide our country, introduce local laws, and influence our family interactions are made. In a democratic society, participation in decision making is a key part of citizenship. Groups also help in making decisions involving judgment calls that have ethical implications or the potential to negatively affect people. Individuals making such high-stakes decisions in a vacuum could have negative consequences given the lack of feedback, input, questioning, and proposals for alternatives that would come from group interaction. Group members also help expand our social networks, which provide access to more resources. A local community-theater group may be able to put on a production with a limited budget by drawing on these connections to get set-building supplies, props, costumes, actors, and publicity in ways that an individual could not. Participating in groups can also increase our exposure to diversity and broaden our perspectives. The increased knowledge, diverse perspectives, and access to resources that groups possess relates to another advantage of small groups—synergy.
personal connection
Group Cohesion and Climate
Group climate refers to the relatively enduring tone and quality of group interaction that is experienced similarly by group members. To better understand cohesion and climate, we can examine two types of cohesion: task and social.
Social cohesion refers to the attraction and liking among group members. Ideally, groups would have an appropriate balance between these two types of cohesion relative to the group’s purpose, with task-oriented groups having higher task cohesion and relational-oriented groups having higher social cohesion.
Task cohesion refers to the commitment of group members to the purpose and activities of the group
Leadership Styles
•Democratic leaders facilitate group discussion and like to take input from all members before making a decision.
•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.
•Laissez-faire leaders take a “hands-off” approach, preferring to give group members freedom to reach and implement their own decisions.
Group Problem-Solving Process
Step 3: Generate Possible Solutions
Step 4: Evaluate Solutions
Step 2: Analyze the Problem
Step 1: Define the Problem
Step 5: Implement and Assess the Solution
Decision Making in Groups
Brainstorming before Decision Making
1. Do a warm-up brainstorming session. Some people are more apprehensive about publicly communicating their ideas than others are, and a warm-up session can help ease apprehension and prime group members for task-related idea generation.
2.Do the actual brainstorming session. To ensure that the fourth rule is realized, the facilitator could encourage people to piggyback off each other’s ideas.
3.Eliminate duplicate ideas. After the brainstorming session is over, group members can eliminate (without evaluating) ideas that are the same or very similar.
4.Clarify, organize, and evaluate ideas. Before evaluation, see if any ideas need clarification. Then try to theme or group ideas together in some orderly fashion
I know most people actually hate group presentation or any group work because of the annoying teammates. However, a company cannot form a company or make profits without groups. Therefore, learn how to solve group problem, communicate with group members are critical skills for everyone. Currently, I am an officer in different groups. For sure, we have disputes sometimes, but I still learn a lot from being an officer of clubs, such as leadership, problem-solving, and communication skill.