copyright c 2006 oxford university press 1 chapter 6 building relationships in groups being...
TRANSCRIPT
Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press
1
Chapter 6
Building Relationships in Groups
Being dependent on other members
Being interdependent with other members• Building relationships with other group
members enhances group interdependence
Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press
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Group Communication Climate
Atmosphere created through verbal, nonverbal and listening skills• Tone, mood, or character of the group’s
interaction
Defensive climate Supportive climate All groups need some level of supportive
climate
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Six Categories of Climate
Evaluation Description
Control Problem Orientation
Strategy Spontaneity
Neutrality Empathy
Superiority Equality
Certainty Provisionalism
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Changing the Group’s Climate
Help a group develop a more supportive climate• Adopt more positive behaviors
• Monitor your reactions to the interactions of other
• Identify group’s communication habits
• Accept your role in creating the existing climate
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Group Cohesiveness
Degree to which members desire to remain in the group• Psychological closeness
• Based on attraction to members, tasks, coordination of effort, or opportunity to work on behalf of group
Signals commitment to the group Heightens interdependence
more
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Group Cohesiveness
Improve cohesiveness• Give members opportunity to talk
• Do members complement one another?
Cohesiveness influences group performance• Depends on level of interdependence required
• Yet cohesiveness not sufficient to ensure quality performance
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Group Member Satisfaction
Degree to which members feel fulfilled or gratified
Satisfaction is different from dissatisfaction• Satisfiers
• Group is moving along expected path
• Dissatisfiers• Group experiences process problems
more
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Group Member Satisfaction
Can be based on • Interpersonal elements
• Task elements
• Some combination
• How conflict is handled
Satisfied members try harder to communicate more effectively
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Improving Satisfaction and Cohesiveness
Encourage a positive climate
Celebrate successes
Base rewards on group output
Give members opportunity for input into developing group goals and tasks
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Cautions about Satisfaction and Cohesiveness
High cohesiveness and satisfaction do not ensure acceptable output
High cohesiveness can detract from a group’s task and lower satisfaction
Satisfaction based on relationships can detract from a group’s task
Larger group makes it more difficult for cohesiveness and satisfaction to develop
Copyright c 2006 Oxford University Press
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Trust
Based on positive expectation of another group member
Helps members predict behaviors of others Develops over time with each group member
as relationships unfold Based on honesty, openness, consistency,
respect Difficult if group is working under pressure
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Building Trust
Be aware of your communicator style Use supportive climate interaction
characteristics Use appropriate self-disclosure Develop positive and collaborative
climate with all group members Monitor your interaction