Group Communication
How does group membership influence individual behaviour? In what ways do groups change and develop? How do different groups relate to one another?
Group Communication provides an introduction to the theories and practical applications of small group dynamics. Drawing on concepts from social psychology, linguistics and communication studies, Peter Hartley shows that an understanding of how groups work and interact will improve the chances of successful team communication and cooperation.
Group Communication includes:
critical reviews of group research
explanation of the difficulties and practicalities of observing groups
analysis of major group processes, including conformity and decision-making
analysis and case studies of the management team, student seminar/project groups and self-help groups
practical recommendations for group communication
references and suggestions for further reading and research
Peter Hartley is Senior Academic in Communication Studies at Sheffield Hallam University, and was one of the team which developed the first British undergraduate degree in this area. He teaches theoretical and practical courses in interpersonal and group communication to a wide range of students, managers and other groups, using the ideas in this book and Interpersonal Communication (Routledge, 1993).
Group Communication
Peter Hartley
First published 1997
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006.
To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge's collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk .
1997 Peter Hartley
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Hartley, Peter
Group communication/Peter Hartley.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Communication in small groups. I. Title.
HM133.H365 1997
302.34dc20 d9634698
ISBN 0-203-13513-X Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-17614-6 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0-415-11159-5 (Print Edition)
0-415-11160-9 (pbk)
Contents
Acknowledgements
To my primary group: Julia, James and David. Special thanks to Julia for patience and support when deadlines loomed; to James for fixing the lawnmower and solving other life mysteries; and to David for regular concern and encouraging noises, especially how many words have you done now?
To many groups and individual students who have listened and questioned, especially Roma Eastwood and the last few Totley generations.
To colleagues who have supported my ramblings on these topics, especially over the last year or two: Kathy Doherty, Mark Neath and Maddie Smith.
To Rebecca Barden and colleagues at Routledge for patience and consideration beyond the call of duty.
This book is an affectionate tribute to two very different social groups who have been important to me:
To all former group members who shared collective dreams and fantasies, especially the Vikings, the Cleveland Warehouse Gang, and Sounds Four.
To all past and present members of Darnall Medical Aid.
This book is dedicated to the memory of Tony Linley. He will be remembered among many things for his loyal and selfless contribution to all the groups he joined.
Introduction
If one or more of the following situations is familiar to you, then you should find this book both interesting and useful.
Now we'll form into groups and...
You are a student at school or college attending the first class of one of the most important modules. The lecturer explains that the main task for the module will be a group project with most of the marks being awarded for the quality of the group product. To give every group an even start, the groups have been compiled by a random choice from the list of names.
How do you feel about this? Are you looking forward to meeting a new set of people? Are you worried that you will have to spend so much time getting along with them that this will detract from the quality of the work you will get done? Are you worried that the others might be much more committed than you and expect you to put in too much time and effort? Are you worried that one or more members of the group might refuse to take groupwork seriously and fail to pull their weight? Are you worried that you might have to lead the group? Are you worried how this project will affect your final marks?
And the management team for this new project is...
Your organisation has decided to support a new project which is very dear to your heart. A project group has been established and has been given six months to carry out a feasibility study. If this is successful then this could lead to a new department being set up, which could provide a major new career opportunity for you. You have been nominated to serve on the project group.
How do you feel about this? Are you looking forward to working with a new set of people? Are you worried that you will have to spend so much time getting along with them that this will detract from the quality of the work you will get done? Are you worried that other members of the project team might not be as committed as you are and might refuse to pull their weight? Are you worried that you might be asked to chair the meetings? Are you worried that there might be competition between members of the project group in anticipation of the next phase of the project?
And the agenda for today is the agenda for today...
You are one of the management team in your organisation or division. You are attending the first meeting of the team with your new boss. She suggests that one of her priorities is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the management team. Next week, the team will spend a day at a residential centre on a team-building exercise. This is likely to be the first of many days of this type of training.
How do you feel about this? Are you looking forward to this new way of working which emphasises team co-operation? Are you worried that you will have to spend so much time getting along with the team that this will detract from the quality of the work you will get done? Are you suspicious or welcoming of this type of training? Do you feel that it might be a waste of time as the group members are not motivated to change their behaviour? Are you worried that there might be one or more members of the group who refuse to take this initiative seriously and do not pull their weight?
What we need is an action group to sort out City Hall...
