1Chapter One: Introducing GroupPrinciples andPracticesChapter SummaryChapter 1 provides an introduction to communication in small groups and teams. Afterdefiningsmall group communication, this chapter then explores the meaning ofhuman communication. The importance of teams and the characteristics of aneffective team and team members are discussed; strategies to enhance teameffectiveness are also addressed.The chapter outlines several advantages and disadvantages of working in small groupsand teams. The students should identify the problems they may have encountered in thegroup to which they belong. On the other hand, they should also discuss the benefits.This discussion gives students a realistic assessment of small group work—the virtuesof small groups and teams as well as some of the pitfalls. The chapter includes a sectionon differences in varying cultures’ approach to group work, comparing collectivistic andindividualistic assumptions. It continues with a discussion of primary and secondarygroups and introduces the concept of collaboration in groups and teams.Virtual small group communication gives rise to discussion about having meetings thatare electronically mediated as opposed to face to face. The competencies of membersof small groups and teams are also listed and discussed as well as a brief view ofproblem-solving criteria. You may want to note to students that a small groupcommunication course is designed to build their small group communicator motivation,knowledge, skills, and, thus, competence.Chapter ObjectivesAfter studying this chapter, the students will be able to:1.1 Define small group communication1.2 Evaluate teams for effective practices1.3 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of participating in small groups1.4 Compare primary and secondary groups1.5 Use methods to make virtual group meetings effective1.6 Describe competencies of small group communicationPreview Mode
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