Exam 9: Communicating in Small Groups

At the first meeting, the members all enthusiastically talked about great restaurants and favorite television shows. These safe topics take place during the emergence phase.

The League of Women Voters, the library's book club, a photography class, and a self-defense group are formed to help the members learn; these are examples of what type of group?

Julie, Sue, Jane, and Erin are very active PTO members. They not only attend the general meetings, they serve on the Fun Fair and the Box Top committees. They look forward to all these gatherings because they know that afterwards, they will go out together for dinner and dancing. These PTO members fit in only the task-oriented group because groups can fit into only one category.

Although a group wants to reach a consensus, they do not want to do so to the point that they stop critically analyzing ideas. They want to avoid

Amy is the group member who is most concerned about other people's feelings. She works hard to create a positive communication climate, and often solves or mediates conflicts among the other group members. Amy is filling a role.

Aara, Seamus, Mateo, and Trecie were anxious to reach a decision about what communication concept they would use for their interpersonal movie analysis. Their gradual shift toward reaching a consensus is common in the phase.

While explaining her new idea at a meeting, Katie noticed Ted and Jasmine were nodding their heads up and down, smiling, and leaning forward. Ted and Jasmine's was an effective way to communicate their feelings, and encouraged Katie to continue describing her thoughts.

We fulfill task roles when we

Match the word or phrase with its meaning. -Arrangement

Norms are "openly expressed" rules for behavior, whereas roles are "implied" rules for behavior.

Before the meeting, Ahmed placed all the desks in a semi-circle, and put nameplates where he wanted each member of the group to sit. This physical placement of the individuals within the group is called ________.

A _____ group comes together to answer a question or provide a solution to a problem.

Four different types of groups are described in our text. List each of the four groups and then provide a personal example of each type.

Match the word or phrase with its meaning. -Commitment

When we are thinking about placements like sitting in rows, around a conference table, or on the floors and couches in someone's living room, we are considering the group's what?

Playgroup officially begins at 9:00 a.m. but all the group members know not to show up until 9:15 a.m. because the group leader won't be there on time to open up the doors. Arriving late is this group's rule, also known as a

Joy and her group are working hard on their small group project, but they are frustrated by Jessie, who always arrives late and unprepared for group meetings. This behavior violates which two group communication variables?

For the past 20 years during football season, Scott, Jay, Jason, and Bob have been meeting at Bob's house to watch Monday Night Football. Which type of group do these men belong to?

Explain the four phases of discussion that a small group goes through to reach a decision.

The phase of small group decision-making that is characterized by disagreements and tension over opposing ideas is called the