INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS CHAPTER 8

1. THE CONCEPT OF SMALLTHE CONCEPT OF SMALL
GROUP COMMUNICATIONGROUP COMMUNICATION

2. ELEMENTS OF SMALLELEMENTS OF SMALL
GROUPGROUP

3. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
 Ordinarily, humans do not liveOrdinarily, humans do not live
in solitary confinement. Wein solitary confinement. We
interact with people around usinteract with people around us
and are interdependent onand are interdependent on
each other. There are cases,each other. There are cases,
where efforts by people towhere efforts by people to
isolate themselves from theisolate themselves from the
civilized world result in mentalcivilized world result in mental
and nervous breakdown. Thus,and nervous breakdown. Thus,
we cannot escape fromwe cannot escape from
engaging in societal activities.engaging in societal activities.
We are bound to participate inWe are bound to participate in
various groups but do we reallyvarious groups but do we really
know what groups are and howknow what groups are and how
we should communicate inwe should communicate in
groups? Are all gatheringsgroups? Are all gatherings
considered groups and whyconsidered groups and why
some groups are referred to assome groups are referred to as
small groups? These are thesmall groups? These are the
issues that we will look at inissues that we will look at in
this topic.this topic.

4. DEFINITION OF SMALLDEFINITION OF SMALL
GROUPGROUP
 Cragan and Wright (1999)Cragan and Wright (1999)
define small group as "adefine small group as "a
few people engaging infew people engaging in
communication over time,communication over time,
usually in face-to-faceusually in face-to-face
settings, who have commonsettings, who have common
goals and norms and havegoals and norms and have
developed adeveloped a
communication pattern forcommunication pattern for
meeting their goals in anmeeting their goals in an
interdependent manner."interdependent manner."
 Based on this definition, weBased on this definition, we
can gather that there arecan gather that there are
some elements thatsome elements that
describe human gatheringsdescribe human gatherings
as group. Basically, theas group. Basically, the
elements of a small groupelements of a small group
can be divided into twocan be divided into two
characteristicscharacteristics

5. Directly ObservableDirectly Observable
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
 A small group hasA small group has
directly observabledirectly observable
characteristics.characteristics.
TheseThese
characteristicscharacteristics
encompass:encompass:
 InteractionInteraction
 SizeSize
 TimeTime
 SpaceSpace
 structurestructure

6. InteractionInteraction
 In a small group, interaction is vital in order toIn a small group, interaction is vital in order to
accomplish shared goals. Interaction in a small groupaccomplish shared goals. Interaction in a small group
involves cooperation. Within cooperative activities,involves cooperation. Within cooperative activities,
individuals seek outcomes that are beneficial toindividuals seek outcomes that are beneficial to
themselves and also other group members.themselves and also other group members.
 We communicate verbally or nonverbally to conveyWe communicate verbally or nonverbally to convey
messages so they can be well understood by others.messages so they can be well understood by others.
Once everyone has agreed upon some goals, necessaryOnce everyone has agreed upon some goals, necessary
actions can be taken in accordance with the goals.actions can be taken in accordance with the goals.
 Just imagine if there is no group interaction. How canJust imagine if there is no group interaction. How can
group members understand and follow instructions ifgroup members understand and follow instructions if
they do not know what is wanted out of them? Withoutthey do not know what is wanted out of them? Without
interactive members, a group can be considered asinteractive members, a group can be considered as
static or deadstatic or dead

7. SizeSize
 Normally, a small group consists of three to sevenNormally, a small group consists of three to seven
members. However, a good small group is a group thatmembers. However, a good small group is a group that
obeys the principle of the smallest size, that is, anobeys the principle of the smallest size, that is, an
optimum group size based on given tasks and groupoptimum group size based on given tasks and group
goals. If the group goals are difficult to achieve andgoals. If the group goals are difficult to achieve and
demand exceptional commitment from team members,demand exceptional commitment from team members,
the group should consist of about eight to twenty people.the group should consist of about eight to twenty people.
In contrast, a smaller group size is suitable for simpleIn contrast, a smaller group size is suitable for simple
tasks or goals.tasks or goals.

8. TimeTime
 Group discussions are usually conducted at pre-Group discussions are usually conducted at pre-
determined times, where all group members will bedetermined times, where all group members will be
present. So, the scheduling of time plays a role inpresent. So, the scheduling of time plays a role in
coordinating group members. However, the duration ofcoordinating group members. However, the duration of
meetings is not limited. It depends on what is discussedmeetings is not limited. It depends on what is discussed
and how it is being discussed. For instance, problem-and how it is being discussed. For instance, problem-
solving discussions or annual meetings may last longersolving discussions or annual meetings may last longer
compared to meetings to discuss the progress of projects.compared to meetings to discuss the progress of projects.
Apart from that, a systematic process of discussion willApart from that, a systematic process of discussion will
also shorten the duration of a session.also shorten the duration of a session.

9. SpaceSpace
 Group members need a comfortable and suitable spaceGroup members need a comfortable and suitable space
to interact. For instance, the size of a room, itsto interact. For instance, the size of a room, its
temperature, and the arrangement of chairs and tablestemperature, and the arrangement of chairs and tables
in it, influence the form and pace of discussion.in it, influence the form and pace of discussion.
Therefore, the existence of a proper meeting spaceTherefore, the existence of a proper meeting space
encourages group members to meet face to face.encourages group members to meet face to face.
 However, in this era of information and communicationHowever, in this era of information and communication
technology, space is no more seen as an obstacle fortechnology, space is no more seen as an obstacle for
communication as there are facilities like video-communication as there are facilities like video-
conferencing and e-mailconferencing and e-mail..

10. StructureStructure
 An effective group has a very clear structure. EveryAn effective group has a very clear structure. Every
member of the group understands each other's tasksmember of the group understands each other's tasks
according to the group hierarchy. A group without aaccording to the group hierarchy. A group without a
structure is unsystematic and faces difficulties instructure is unsystematic and faces difficulties in
reaching its goals.reaching its goals.
 For example, in a small group, there may be a leader, anFor example, in a small group, there may be a leader, an
assistant leader, and group members, who carry variousassistant leader, and group members, who carry various
tasks. The leader would be responsible to ensure thattasks. The leader would be responsible to ensure that
the end product is delivered on time and of quality. Thethe end product is delivered on time and of quality. The
assistant leader helps the leader, where necessary or asassistant leader helps the leader, where necessary or as
required. On the other hand, group members arerequired. On the other hand, group members are
responsible to carry out their respective tasks.responsible to carry out their respective tasks.
 The important thing is that the job scope orThe important thing is that the job scope or
responsibilities of every individual in a structured groupresponsibilities of every individual in a structured group
has to be very clear from the very beginninghas to be very clear from the very beginning

11.  Apart from directly observableApart from directly observable
characteristics, small groups also havecharacteristics, small groups also have
indirectly observable characteristicsindirectly observable characteristics
that are abstract in nature. Thesethat are abstract in nature. These
characteristics indirectly influence thecharacteristics indirectly influence the
group's movement. We would not begroup's movement. We would not be
able to observe or identify theseable to observe or identify these
characteristics if we are not part of thecharacteristics if we are not part of the
group. Among them are:group. Among them are:
 InterdependenceInterdependence
 GoalsGoals
 normsnorms
Indirectly ObservableIndirectly Observable
CharacteristicsCharacteristics

12. InterdependenceInterdependence
 Group coordination can beGroup coordination can be
enhanced by cooperativeenhanced by cooperative
efforts of team members forefforts of team members for
the purpose of achievingthe purpose of achieving
desired goals. Since a group isdesired goals. Since a group is
a system, every member of thea system, every member of the
system needs to collaborate insystem needs to collaborate in
doing real work in which theydoing real work in which they
promote each other's successpromote each other's success
by sharing resources andby sharing resources and
helping, supporting,helping, supporting,
encouraging, and applaudingencouraging, and applauding
each other's efforts to achieveeach other's efforts to achieve
mutual benefits. Just imagine amutual benefits. Just imagine a
group without cooperativegroup without cooperative
members? How would theymembers? How would they
strategize? Surely there will bestrategize? Surely there will be
chaos, where everyonechaos, where everyone
pursues the group goals withpursues the group goals with
his or her own way or evenhis or her own way or even
worse, they do not work towardworse, they do not work toward
the same goal.the same goal.

13. GoalsGoals
 A successful group is a group that has clearA successful group is a group that has clear
goals, which are understood by all teamgoals, which are understood by all team
members. Goals are a group's aims. Teammembers. Goals are a group's aims. Team
members should not only know what theirmembers should not only know what their
group goals are but they should also know howgroup goals are but they should also know how
to realize them. There are two types of groupto realize them. There are two types of group
goalsgoals

14. NormsNorms
 Group norms are the rules and standardsGroup norms are the rules and standards
that need to be followed by all teamthat need to be followed by all team
members to ensure the smooth runningmembers to ensure the smooth running
of group process towards their goalsof group process towards their goals
(Rothwell, 1992). One such rule may be(Rothwell, 1992). One such rule may be
the requirement for everyone to bethe requirement for everyone to be
punctual for meetings. In this scenario,punctual for meetings. In this scenario,
someone, who follows group norms willsomeone, who follows group norms will
make sure that he or she allocatesmake sure that he or she allocates
sufficient time to switch off his computer,sufficient time to switch off his computer,
grab his report from an easy-to-locategrab his report from an easy-to-locate
place, walk to the meeting room, and beplace, walk to the meeting room, and be
ready before the boss comes in.ready before the boss comes in.

15.  We also need to know that in a group,We also need to know that in a group,
there are written and unwritten norms.there are written and unwritten norms.
Written norms are norms that need to beWritten norms are norms that need to be
stated out clearly and make known tostated out clearly and make known to
all. An example of a written norm is theall. An example of a written norm is the
working hours of a company, which isworking hours of a company, which is
applicable to all groups within thatapplicable to all groups within that
company. In contrast, unwritten normscompany. In contrast, unwritten norms
are norms that are already understoodare norms that are already understood
and accepted by all. An example is theand accepted by all. An example is the
act of shaking hands when or afteract of shaking hands when or after
meeting someone.meeting someone.

16. CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
 In conclusion, we can say that getting a group of peopleIn conclusion, we can say that getting a group of people
to form a group does not mean that we can already getto form a group does not mean that we can already get
work done. In forming a group, we need to pay attentionwork done. In forming a group, we need to pay attention
to the important elements of small groupto the important elements of small group
communication, where there are directly observablecommunication, where there are directly observable
and indirectly observable characteristics. Theseand indirectly observable characteristics. These
elements are factors that strongly affect the efficiencyelements are factors that strongly affect the efficiency
and effectiveness of group operations especially inand effectiveness of group operations especially in
terms of communication.terms of communication.