Small Group Communication

As it relates to Theatre Production

What is Small Group Communication?

The four basic characteristics of a small group - three or more people - face-to-face interaction - a span of time - a common goal or task

Why Work in Small Groups?

Groups usually produce more and better solutions to problems than do individuals working alone.

Shaw, M. E. Group Dynamics: the Psychology of Small Group Behavior. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1976

Types of Small Groups

Task-Oriented
Factors of Productivity
*Task Demand *Resources *Process *Group Size *Group Composition *Potential Payoff

Task Demand
Are the demands of the production or season equivalent to our current ability?

Do we have enough time available to examine all the issues, acquire information, and consider all alternatives?

Will we need any special tools or training in order to accomplish this?

Resources
Do we have the right type and quantities of materials?

Do we have adequate human resources (skill level and number)?

Do we have the money to acquire either/both of these resources?

Process
How are we planning?

How are we implementing our plans?

Are we adapting our plan to meet new challenges or needed changes?

Group Size
Are we too small and feel the project is too large for us to meet? Are we too large and feel that the level of involvement from all members is varying? As the group size increases, are we: 1) creating more complex and indirect communication patterns 2) meeting the level or organization needed to fit the group size 3) losing productivity due to fewer demands on individuals 4) losing personal satisfaction in the process due to accomplishments feeling watered-down

Group Composition
How different are the members in terms of education, race, gender, prior experiences, skill sets, and attitudes?

How can we use these differences to work to our advantage?

How are these differences affecting the group dynamics?

Potential Payoff
What is the reward for the group and the individual?

Is the payoff worth working within the group?

Follow the Leader

What is a leader?

A leader is essentially defined as one who can influence a group to develop something which would not have happened had the leader not been present.*

*Seaman, Don F. Working Effectively with Task-Oriented Groups. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981.

Leadership in the Small Group

3 Common Styles of Leadership

1) Authoritarian- My way or the highway

2) Democratic- All for one, and one for all 3) Laissez-faire- If it aint broke, dont fix it

Basic Qualities for Leadership

1) Knowledge of the group process 2) Ability to think quickly 3) Language and speech skills 4) Knowledge of the subject 5) Sensitivity to group trends 6) Self-restraint and respect for others 7) Ability to verbalize sentiments 8) Ability to clarify

Group Climate
Group Climate refers to the atmosphere in which the group interacts with each other. Defensive Climates Evaluation Control Strategy Neutrality Superiority Supportive Climates Description Problem Orientation Spontaneity Empathy Equality

Conflict
Oxford American Dictionary describes conflict as a disagreement between people with different ideas or beliefs Conflict is not really harmful to the group as long as it fosters creative discussions about the task to be accomplished. * Conflict can be detrimental to a group when it 1) Prohibits the group from completing its task 2) Interferes with the quality of the groups decision 3) Threatens the existence of the group

*Seaman, Don F. Working Effectively with Task-Oriented Groups. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981.

Reasons for Conflict

Differences in Personality Differences in Perception Differences in Information Differences in Power or Influences

Conflict can be directed at people, ideas or both.

Differences in Language and Thought

We assimilate information different ways

Block

Types of Conflict
Pseudo-Conflict

Simple Conflict

Ego Conflict

How to spot Conflict

1) Members are impatient with each other 2) Ideas are attacked before they are completely expressed 3) Members take sides and refuse to compromise 4) Members disagree on plans or suggestions 5) Comments and suggestions are made with a great deal of vehemence 6) Members attack each other on a personal level in subtle ways 7) Members insist that the group doesnt have the knowledge or experience 8) Members feel the group cannot get ahead because its too large or too small 9) Members disagree with the leaders suggestions 10) Members accuse each other of not understanding the real point 11) Members hear distorted fragments of each others contributions

Why does Conflict exist?

1) The group feels they have been given a task which seems impossible, and members are frustrated because they feel unable to meet the demands made of them. The main concern of members is to attain status in the group. Members are loyal to outside groups of conflicting interests. Members feel involved and are working too hard on a problem.

2) 3) 4)

Questions to Ask
Is the task too large or impossible for the group? Are the members clear about the task? Is there any confusion? Do members not agree with the groups decisions? Are members involved for status reasons? Do all members wish to be a part of the group? Does every member have the pertinent information needed? Is the conflict destructive or is it fostering ideas? Are there any hidden agendas within the group? Are members apathetic about the work at hand?

Myths about Conflict

Myth #1 Conflict should be avoided at all costs

Myth # 2 All Conflict occurs because people do not understand each other

Myth # 3 All conflicts can be resolved

Groupthink
Groupthinkthe illusion of agreement. This occurs when a group strives to minimize conflict and reach a consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas

Non-Verbal Communication
Vocalics-sounds a person makes that accompany his or her verbal messages (also called paralanguage)

Kinesics-body language

Eye Behavior

As a Leader
Pick an appropriate room size Pick appropriate type of room and style Engage others in eye contact Encourage non talkers out of corners Phrase questions so they require more than a yes/no answer Be controversial

Bibliography
Beebe, Steven A., John T. Masterson, Communicating in Small Groups; Principles and Practices, 4th Ed. Harper Collins College Publishers, New York, 1994 Bertcher, Harvey J. Group Participation; Techniques for Leaders and Members,. 2nd Ed. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, 1994 Book, Cassandra, Kathleen Galvin, Instruction in and about Small Group Discussion, Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Urbana, IL, 1975 Cragan, John F., David W. Wright, Communication in Small Group Discussions; A Case Study Approach. West Publishing Co. St. Paul, MN 1980 Hare, A. Paul, Creativity in Small Groups, Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, 1982 Hartley, Peter, Group Communication, Routledge, New York, 1997 Seaman, Don F. Working Effectively with Task-Oriented Groups, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1981 Shaw, M. E., Group Dynamics: the Psychology of Small Group Behavior. 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1976 Ulschak, Francis L., Leslie Nathanson, Peter G. Gillian, Small Group Problem Solving; An Aid to Organizational Effectiveness,. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA. 1981