What a great chapter! Chapter 3 in Harris and Sherblom cover the ideas of:
Norms
Roles
Cohesion
Groupthink
These areas of Small Group Communication are particularly important for understanding the following objectives, as outline in the text on page 40:
*Describe the importance and impact of group norms.
*Clarify the different types of group norms.
*Illustrate the concept of group roles.
*Outline the different types of roles.
*Discuss the functions of norms and roles.
*Describe group cohesion and groupthink.
Let's start with Norms! As the book states, "Group norms define the nature of the group and the relationships among the group members by expressing the collective values of the membership and by identifying the place of group members within that value system. In every group, certain actions are approved of and others are frowned on. Knowing the norms means having a map, or a traveler's guide, for navigating the territory of group behavior and process."
This relates directly to one of the discussion questions this week (question #1). Think about the different types of small groups you are a part of. What are the norms? Think about family groups, friend groups, class groups, church groups, etc.... What are the norms that exist with each one of those groups? It's pretty interesting to try and point out the norms of each group, and how seemingly different they can be from one another. What is accepted in one group, may not be acceptable in another group.
Let's take a classroom situation. Think through the collective behaviors of your classes. What is ok behavior in your classes? There are simply rules that we abide by in the classroom, correct? Let's go a bit deeper. Classroom behavior in college can also differ greatly, correct? I find that students in communication classes tend to relate to one another a bit more than in some other disciplines. Perhaps we chat more in class? Hold more discussions and a bit less lecture? What norms can you see emerge from looking at your individual classes.
Now take this idea a step further. What norms can you see emerge in other groups you are a part of? Some things my seem a bit standard: respect for one another, how a particular process works, etc... (Keep this in mind when you are observing and researching for your final projects in this course. You may want to discuss the norms of the group you have chosen to observe).
Let's move on to Roles! I will write very little about this section, but do not skip over the table on page 46 and 47. Table 3.1 is great in outlining:
*Group Task Roles
*Group Maintenance Roles
*Self-Centered Behaviors
On page 45 the book talks a bit about Task Roles and Social-Emotional Roles. Both of these types of roles are essential for the effectiveness of the group, and both are important to learn about and understand when observing and participating in a small group.
Cohesion
Page 48 outlines group cohesion by describing it in these terms:
1). The degree which a member feels an 'attraction' to a group.
2). The extent to which members are loyal and committed to the group.
3). It's a force that binds members together.
The chapter then goes on to talk about what influences can affect the development of a group by describing certain characteristics of a group. This section of the chapter ends with 'consequences of group cohesion'.
Groupthink
This is something folks have probably heard of over and over again. But what is it? Groupthink can be read about HERE. While your book does a great job of explaining what it is, sometimes it's helpful to read about a concept in other terms.
Your book defines groupthink as, "....a strong occurrence-seeking tendency among group members that leads to a deterioration in their decision-making process." It goes on to outline five influences on groupthink:
1). Antecedent conditions
2). Occurrence seeking
3). Symptoms
4). Decision-making defects
5). Poor decision outcomes
After the section describes these five influences on groupthink, it talks about the origination of the groupthink theory, which is quite interesting to read about.
There is also table 3.2 that covers Janis's Groupthink Characteristics. Do not skip this table either. It gives some great information about groupthink, and helps to contextualize the section.
I hope that you found this chapter useful. Learning about Norms, Roles, Cohesion and Groupthink are necessary to the group process.
I will post another Instructor Wrap-Up for Chapter 9 tomorrow.
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