Theories of Communication
Nothing turns the stomach like the two words ‘group work’. Groups are a source of tension and stress for most people. The unknown in a group is the primary issue. Groups however are the foundations of all things successful, no one does it alone. Exploring group theory will help to understand their dynamics, their expectations, and finally their cognitive process.
Interaction-process analysis theory specifically deals with group dynamics in terms of psychology and communication. Group participants bring a mixed bag of communication styles and personalities with them. Some of these are meant to be intentional, whether they mean to be intimidating or confrontational, while others are purely unintentional, such as the …show more content…
In any group a leader will emerge from each of these two classes. A task leader “facilitates and coordinates … and directs energy toward getting the job done” (2011, p. 265). A socioemotional leader rallies the group for “improved relations…concentrating on interactions in the positive and negative sectors” (2011, p. 265). Each leader is dependent on the other to accomplish the group’s overall goal. An example would be a parenting duo that accepts their respective leader roles in the household will be more successful than a couple who does not. And finally, participants can be a combination of any of the following 3 characteristic types: dominant versus submissive, friendly versus unfriendly, and instrumental versus emotional (2011). Each type has its positives and negatives, but again all are crucial to the group’s success. Knowing the dynamics of the interaction-process analysis theory helps unpack the stress of group participation. Furthermore, understanding and allowing individuals to take their natural place in group roles allows for a more successful group with less …show more content…
As a child bona fide groups where easily established, as an adult however these groups can feel more strained than natural. Work and personal interests help to create bona fide groups, such as the Human Resource group that meets for Lunch and Learns every 3rd Thursday of the month, or the short story writers group a the local library. The two main characteristics found in bona fide groups are “they have permeable boundaries and they are interdependent with the environment” (2011, p. 266). Each individual has a vested interest in the group, there is at least one thing everyone has in common and that is why they are there. This one common reason is the anchor that allows the group members to be fluid and encourages crossing into other groups. For example the same Human Resource group might also be a part of the larger group like the local Chamber of Commerce. This nexus, or group intersection, is also seen as networking, it can be very beneficial not just to the individual but to their initial primary interest. Bona fide groups encourage and create opportunities for its participants to belong to other groups, to network the knowledge gained within one group and spread it to the next, creating a win-win for all
Nothing turns the stomach like the two words ‘group work’. Groups are a source of tension and stress for most people. The unknown in a group is the primary issue. Groups however are the foundations of all things successful, no one does it alone. Exploring group theory will help to understand their dynamics, their expectations, and finally their cognitive process.
Interaction-process analysis theory specifically deals with group dynamics in terms of psychology and communication. Group participants bring a mixed bag of communication styles and personalities with them. Some of these are meant to be intentional, whether they mean to be intimidating or confrontational, while others are purely unintentional, such as the …show more content…
In any group a leader will emerge from each of these two classes. A task leader “facilitates and coordinates … and directs energy toward getting the job done” (2011, p. 265). A socioemotional leader rallies the group for “improved relations…concentrating on interactions in the positive and negative sectors” (2011, p. 265). Each leader is dependent on the other to accomplish the group’s overall goal. An example would be a parenting duo that accepts their respective leader roles in the household will be more successful than a couple who does not. And finally, participants can be a combination of any of the following 3 characteristic types: dominant versus submissive, friendly versus unfriendly, and instrumental versus emotional (2011). Each type has its positives and negatives, but again all are crucial to the group’s success. Knowing the dynamics of the interaction-process analysis theory helps unpack the stress of group participation. Furthermore, understanding and allowing individuals to take their natural place in group roles allows for a more successful group with less …show more content…
As a child bona fide groups where easily established, as an adult however these groups can feel more strained than natural. Work and personal interests help to create bona fide groups, such as the Human Resource group that meets for Lunch and Learns every 3rd Thursday of the month, or the short story writers group a the local library. The two main characteristics found in bona fide groups are “they have permeable boundaries and they are interdependent with the environment” (2011, p. 266). Each individual has a vested interest in the group, there is at least one thing everyone has in common and that is why they are there. This one common reason is the anchor that allows the group members to be fluid and encourages crossing into other groups. For example the same Human Resource group might also be a part of the larger group like the local Chamber of Commerce. This nexus, or group intersection, is also seen as networking, it can be very beneficial not just to the individual but to their initial primary interest. Bona fide groups encourage and create opportunities for its participants to belong to other groups, to network the knowledge gained within one group and spread it to the next, creating a win-win for all