Diversity in Groups: The Strength of Different Perspectives
This chapter covers the following ideas:
*Defining Diversity in Small Groups
*Assumptions and Stereotypes
*Communication Contexts
*Diversity in Small Groups and Teams
*Making Diverse Groups Work
*Computer-Mediated Virtual Teams
*Ethical Behavior
Chapter Objectives:
1). Define Diversity and its role in small groups.
2). Better understand the effect of stereotypes.
3). Discuss the concept of communication contexts.
4). Explain the effect of language use on diversity.
5). Elucidate the influence of nonverbal communication on diversity.
6). Outline the effect of diversity on group commitment and consensus.
7). Present the strength obtained through diversity.
8). Suggest ways to help diverse groups work effectively.
9). Discuss diversity in computer-mediated virtual teams.
The first major section of the chapter defines diversity in small groups. On page 73 it says, "Diversity describes the reality of our national and world community that is made of people having cultures, languages, and social customs different from our own. Even when people in the United States speak the same language (and this cannot always be assumed) and share the same overall cultural value system, they often still have a different relationship to that value system than we sometimes expect." Table 5.1 on page 74 covers Diversity and Differences. It is not an exhaustive list, but will give you some idea of what the book is referring to when they talk about diversity.
With a term thrown around so freely at a place such as San Jose State, it's easy to forget just HOW diverse of a campus we are a part of. Looking at table 5.1 serves as a good reminder!
The next section, Assumptions and Stereotypes covers just that: assumptions we have and stereotypes we attribute to 'other' people who are different than ourselves. On page 75 it states, "To understand how we have come to have such different life experiences, we need to understand the internal matrix - the pattern - that culture creates in our lives. As human beings, our relationships within social groups begin at birth. We depend on one another for our physical and psychological well-being and for our survival throughout our lives. We learn automatic perceptual responses to our surroundings from those who nurture and care for us."
Page 76 goes on to say, "Thus, stereotypes can be damaging to all of us. They tend to perpetuate myths about groups of people and to disallow perception of the valuable differences and acceptance of the positive contributions each unique INDIVIDUAL had to contribute." (all emphasis mine)
Communication Contexts
This section covers the ideas of context in communication situations, Language Use and Nonverbal Communication. The section starts out talking in a general sense about culture and communicating with one another. It them moves on to defining "high-context environments" and "low-context environments". Two very good concepts - don't miss them!
The book then moves on to talking about Language Use, and how we can make assumptions about language use. Page 78 states, "Different cultures often make quite different assumptions about the appropriate use of language." Very interesting to think about, especially in an area of the country where we are faced with cultural differences daily.
Nonverbal communication - One of my favorite communication concepts. The book briefly covers nonverbal communication. Don't skip over it - think about it, talk to your friends about it, mull it over a bit. Nonverbal communication is awesome! Page 79 explains, "Nonverbal communication complements the use of language and is made up of deeply ingrained patterns. It is often subtle and multidimensional (Remland, 2000) and may take the form of body or facial gestures, tone of voice, turn taking, use of time, or habits of dress or hairstyle." What a neat section, especially as we discuss diversity in small groups. When observing your chosen group for the final project in the class, make sure you notice, and take note of nonverbal communication.
Diversity in Small Groups and Teams
This area covers two sub-ideas: Group Commitment and Consensus, and Strength in Diversity. Both sections are useful in understanding how diversity can really help groups and organizations. Very interesting to think about.
Making Diverse Groups Work
Conflict Management - this area has a great discussion about different cultures and conflict management. The book goes into greater depth about conflict management later on, but considering this concept and how it works in diverse groups is quite interesting!
Hierarchies of Power - Pg. 83, "There are hierarchies of power throughout our socialization process that we have come to take for granted, sometimes without being aware of the way in which we situate ourselves along the continuum. Clearly the overriding assumption of social, economic, and political power in the U.S. has long resided in upper-class and upper-middle-class White Europeans of wealth and privilege. Other members of society have implicitly been located along multiple hierarchies of power in relation to this group." Don't miss the rest of this discussion in the book.
Pressures for Conformity - The pressure to conform in a group is one that you will see quite a bit, especially in your group observations. You may have already observed this concept in action when working with a group in the past. Folks conform in order to get the job done, or move on from whatever task is at hand, rather than really thinking through the process and evaluating all possible alternatives. Sometimes this happens and a decision is made, even if it's not the best decision.
The last two sections are Computer-Mediated Virtual Teams and Ethical Behavior. Both sections are important to read through, especially the "ethical behavior" section. Each and every decision we make, whether in a group setting or not, has an ethical dimension. Understanding how that works in a diverse group is key.
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