Com 101 Chapter 9 Notes

Front 1

Solving problems

Back 1

This includes meeting challenges and performing tasks.

Front 2

Reasons why groups are effective:

Back 2

Groups possess more resources.
Increased likelihood of catching errors.
Groups generate more commitment.

Front 3

participative decision making

Back 3

People show greater commitment to decisions they have helped make.

Front 4

When should you use groups for problem solving?

Back 4

1. When the job is beyond the capacity of one person.
2. Best group tasks are the ones where the individuals can help one another in some way.
3. On problems that have no single, cut-and-dried answer.
4. When you need the support of everyone.

Front 5

Problem solving formats:

Back 5

Buzz Groups
Problem Census
Focus Groups
Parliamentary Procedure
Panel Discussion
Symposium
Forum

Front 6

Buzz Groups

Back 6

When the number of members is too large for effective discussion, buzz groups can be used to maximize effective participation. Sub-groups simultaneously address and issue and then report back to the group at large.

Front 7

Problem Census

Back 7

Members use a separate card to list each of their ideas - the leader collects all cards and reads them to the group one by one. Because names are not used - each idea is given the same respect.

Front 8

Focus Group

Back 8

Used as a market research tool to enable sponsoring organizations to learn how potential users or the public at large regards a new product. The groups have no experts.

Front 9

Parliamentary Procedure

Back 9

Meetings observe specific rules about how topics may be discussed and decisions made - they use "Robert's Rules of Order"

Front 10

Panel Discussion

Back 10

Participants talk over the topic informally - much as they would in any ordinary conversation - a leader (moderator" help help the discussion along - and seek consensus when the time comes.

Front 11

Symposium

Back 11

The participants divide the topic in a manner that allows each member to deliver in-depth information without interruption. Does not lead to a group discussion.

Front 12

Forum

Back 12

A forum allows nonmembers to add their opinions to the group's deliberations before the group makes a decision.

Front 13

Some communication factors associated with group productivity:

Back 13

The group contains the smallest number of members necessary.
Members care about and agree with the goals.
Members are clear about and accept their roles - which match their abilities
Group norms encourage high performance, quality, success, and innovation
The group members have sufficient time together to develop a mature working unit and accomplish its goals.
The group is highly cohesive and cooperative.
The group spends time defining and discussing problems it must solve and decissions it must make.
Periods of conflict ar efrequent but brief.
The group has an ope communication structure in which all members may participate.
The group gets, gives, and uses feedback about its effectiveness.

Front 14

Types of computer mediated meetings

Back 14

Teleconference, Chat room, Asynchronous discussions

Front 15

A Structured Problem Solving Approach

Back 15

1. Identify the problem
2. Analyze the problem
3. Develop creative solutions through brainstorming - or the nominal group technique.
4. Evaluate the solutions by asking which solution (is best, most achievable, contains the fewest serious disadvantages)
5. Implement the plan
6. Follow up on the solution

Front 16

Force Field Analysis

Back 16

A list of forces that help and hinder the group.

Front 17

Four rules of Brainstorming

Back 17

1. Criticism is Forbidden
2. Freewheeling is encouraged
3. Quantity is sought
4. Combination and improvement are desirable.

Front 18

Nominal Group Technique

Back 18

1. Each member works alone to develop a list of solutions
2. In round-robin fashion - each member in turn offers one item from his/her list.
3. Each member privately ranks his/her choice of the ides in order - the rankings are collected and the top ideas are retained.
4. Free discussion of the top ideas is held - finally making majority vote or consensus.

Front 19

Three Questions to ask when evaluating possible solutions.

Back 19

1. Will this proposal produce the desired changes?
2. Can the proposal be implemented by the group?
3. Does the proposal contain any serious disadvantages?

Front 20

Important steps in developing and implementing a plan of action:

Back 20

1. Identify Specific Tasks to be accomplished.
2. Determine necessary resources.
3. Define individual responsibilities
4. Provide for emergencies.

Front 21

Two steps to improving the groups effectiveness and minimizing disappointment :

Back 21

1. Meet periodically to evaluate progress.
2. Revise the group's approach as necessary

Front 22

Developmental stages in problem solving groups

Back 22

Orientation Stage
Conflict Stage
Emergence Stage
Reinforcement Stage

Front 23

Orientation Stage

Back 23

People are reluctant to take a stand, ideas are tested cautiously and politely, there is little disagreement - "the calm before the storm"

Front 24

Conflict Stage

Back 24

Members take strong positions and defend them against those who oppose their viewpoint. Coalitions are likely to form and the discussion may become polarized. Weaker ideas may die here.

Front 25

Emergence Stage

Back 25

One idea emerges as the best one - or best parts of several plans combine into a new one.

Front 26

Reinforcement Stage

Back 26

Not only do the members accept the group's decision - but they endorse it. Even if members disagree with the outcome - they do not voice their concerns.

Front 27

What is the most important ingredient in good personal relationships?

Back 27

Mutual respect

Front 28

What is the best way to demonstrate respect of others?

Back 28

Listen carefully

Front 29

Cohesiveness

Back 29

The degree to which members feel connected with and committed to their group.

Front 30

What is the best predictor of a group's performance?

Back 30

Cohesiveness

Front 31

What are the eight facts that can bring boost cohesiveness in groups?

Back 31

1. Shared or Compatible Goals
2. Progress toward Goals
3. Shared Norms and Values
4. Lack of Perceived Threat between members.
5. Interdependence of members.
6. Threat from outside the group.
7. Mutual Attraction and Friendship
8. Shared group experiences

Front 32

Dangers in Group Discussion

Back 32

1. Information underload and overload
2. Unequal Participation
3. Pressure to conform.

Front 33

Information underload

Back 33

When a group lacks information necessary to operate effectively. Sometimes results form overlooking part of a problem.

Front 34

Information Overload

Back 34

When the rate or complexity of material is too grate to manage.

Front 35

Broad based group participation has 2 advantages

Back 35

1. When people participate their loyalty to the group increases.
2. It increases the amount of resources focused on the problem.

Front 36

What is the key to effective communication?

Back 36

Balance

Front 37

Groupthink

Back 37

A group's collective striving for unanimity that discourages realistic appraisals of alternatives to its chose decision.