Group Dynamics Essay
This assignment comes from my small group communications class. This section discuss the influence size as on groups as well how to manage change in groups. When you think of the group dynamics one of the first things you think about is the size of the group, because depending on what needs to be done you want to make sure you have enough individuals to complete the task at hand. In this section it talked about having that openness to change as well as boundary control. You have to know that things can change and be open to the fact, knowing that you have selected strong people to complete the tasks. Boundary control is making sure the task that are assigned you don't overstep your boundaries and let the members you selected do their jobs. Those boundaries also can include physical, rules, networks, and even psychological barriers as well. You can overstep in so many ways and not even realize that you are until it is brought to your attention. " Group systems theory holds that the first consideration in examining any group or organization is the good of the whole group, while always bearing in mind the good of its members and the environment; the larger system or systems that sustain it. In short, group systems practitioners focus on ''big picture' ' thinking".
Groups can either be open or closed. A closed group is one which protects itself from outside influences in order to preserve its integrity, goals, and unity. With closed groups the change will come from within the group. An open group will allow a continuous exchange with outside environments, which have the ability to change and/or disrupt the group's composition, direction, or even it ideology. Open groups welcome change and seek out new information, and different ways of doing things.
This assignment taught me a lot about small groups, just learning the different lingo and how what you thought something as simple as open and closed would mean something completely different. This was to me a great way to open up this class because it was a very easy read for me, but it was filled with a lot of useful information. This just started all the other information I learned in this class.
This assignment comes from my small group communications class. This section discuss the influence size as on groups as well how to manage change in groups. When you think of the group dynamics one of the first things you think about is the size of the group, because depending on what needs to be done you want to make sure you have enough individuals to complete the task at hand. In this section it talked about having that openness to change as well as boundary control. You have to know that things can change and be open to the fact, knowing that you have selected strong people to complete the tasks. Boundary control is making sure the task that are assigned you don't overstep your boundaries and let the members you selected do their jobs. Those boundaries also can include physical, rules, networks, and even psychological barriers as well. You can overstep in so many ways and not even realize that you are until it is brought to your attention. " Group systems theory holds that the first consideration in examining any group or organization is the good of the whole group, while always bearing in mind the good of its members and the environment; the larger system or systems that sustain it. In short, group systems practitioners focus on ''big picture' ' thinking".
Groups can either be open or closed. A closed group is one which protects itself from outside influences in order to preserve its integrity, goals, and unity. With closed groups the change will come from within the group. An open group will allow a continuous exchange with outside environments, which have the ability to change and/or disrupt the group's composition, direction, or even it ideology. Open groups welcome change and seek out new information, and different ways of doing things.
This assignment taught me a lot about small groups, just learning the different lingo and how what you thought something as simple as open and closed would mean something completely different. This was to me a great way to open up this class because it was a very easy read for me, but it was filled with a lot of useful information. This just started all the other information I learned in this class.
Team Dynamics Essay
This assignments focus was on the role of leadership in small groups as well the development of an effective team. This section really explored the differences between groups and team and how they can be interchangeable and be grouped together to mean the same thing but in reality they are two different things. A group "consist of members that work independently of one another, while teams work interdependent of each other. It is possible for someone who is part of a group to be successful in their objective while others in the group fail. Whereas within teams, due to there interdependent nature, all member must be successful in order for the team to be successful. If one fails the whole team fails". Where a team "on the other hand, will know if someone is not "pulling their weight" as it will affect the rest of the team's work output. However, it is important to note that often teams will assign work to subgroups within the team". Has you can probably see just by giving you these definitions it's really easy to get them fixed up because we use both definitions for both categories. Especially if something isn't working how we want it to work.
What I really learned from this section is knowing how to develop a group or team and also making sure I chose the appropriate one because you may fail trying to make a team when you should have made a group. A lot of times we want that team building environment because it allows you feed off each other and have some fun. But knowing the difference will make or break the outcome of your project.
This assignments focus was on the role of leadership in small groups as well the development of an effective team. This section really explored the differences between groups and team and how they can be interchangeable and be grouped together to mean the same thing but in reality they are two different things. A group "consist of members that work independently of one another, while teams work interdependent of each other. It is possible for someone who is part of a group to be successful in their objective while others in the group fail. Whereas within teams, due to there interdependent nature, all member must be successful in order for the team to be successful. If one fails the whole team fails". Where a team "on the other hand, will know if someone is not "pulling their weight" as it will affect the rest of the team's work output. However, it is important to note that often teams will assign work to subgroups within the team". Has you can probably see just by giving you these definitions it's really easy to get them fixed up because we use both definitions for both categories. Especially if something isn't working how we want it to work.
What I really learned from this section is knowing how to develop a group or team and also making sure I chose the appropriate one because you may fail trying to make a team when you should have made a group. A lot of times we want that team building environment because it allows you feed off each other and have some fun. But knowing the difference will make or break the outcome of your project.
Group Decision Making
Focus with this assignment was on how when making decision they can be effective and defective. Criteria are crucial when decisions are being made and problems are being solved because they provide us with the standards by which decisions and solutions must be judged. Having the ability to create and employ criteria is one of the most important aspects of the decision making processes for any individual or a well functioning group. Criteria are the guidelines that a group agrees to follow to reach a solution. Everyone who makes a decision or solves a problem uses criteria. When a person chooses a mate or a boyfriend/girlfriend they use criteria. When they buy a car, or decide on a job, criteria is always used. Knowing how to get the most out of criteria will help in making the most effective decision possible. While some decisions may only require a "good enough" solution they will still need some form of criteria to guide the decision
What I learned from this section was when it comes to making a decision, you use criteria and I never thought about how much thought goes into making a decision but its a lot. I probably never thought about it because you have always been told make sure you think about that before you make your decision. So it's already been embedded in our mines to think about the decision we make in any situation that's presented to us. This just made my thought process more clear and made me understand why I or anyone do what they do when it comes to making decisions.
Focus with this assignment was on how when making decision they can be effective and defective. Criteria are crucial when decisions are being made and problems are being solved because they provide us with the standards by which decisions and solutions must be judged. Having the ability to create and employ criteria is one of the most important aspects of the decision making processes for any individual or a well functioning group. Criteria are the guidelines that a group agrees to follow to reach a solution. Everyone who makes a decision or solves a problem uses criteria. When a person chooses a mate or a boyfriend/girlfriend they use criteria. When they buy a car, or decide on a job, criteria is always used. Knowing how to get the most out of criteria will help in making the most effective decision possible. While some decisions may only require a "good enough" solution they will still need some form of criteria to guide the decision
What I learned from this section was when it comes to making a decision, you use criteria and I never thought about how much thought goes into making a decision but its a lot. I probably never thought about it because you have always been told make sure you think about that before you make your decision. So it's already been embedded in our mines to think about the decision we make in any situation that's presented to us. This just made my thought process more clear and made me understand why I or anyone do what they do when it comes to making decisions.
Power and Conflict Management
Focus with this assignment was to learn the bases of power and how it employs a group. There have been many studies done on conflict management, the bases of power and group performance, but very few have studied the effects that conflict management and the bases power have on group performance. I learned five primary conflict management styles which include avoidance, competition, collaboration (also labeled as integrative), accommodation, and compromise. Avoidance demonstrates a low concern for self and others. Competition represents a high concern for self and a low concern for other. Collaboration is a high concern for self and others. Accommodation, demonstrates a low concern for self and a high concern for others. Compromise however, reflects an intermediate concern for self and others. Each one of these styles will bring a different outcome when trying to reach a solution in a group.
What I learned from this section in combinations with everything else from this small group communication class, was that just because you're in a small group doesn't mean you treat it differently. This really taught how to organize my group or team as well how to approach your team and that some conflict and power is okay to have but if it gets out of hand how to approach the situations to make it better
Focus with this assignment was to learn the bases of power and how it employs a group. There have been many studies done on conflict management, the bases of power and group performance, but very few have studied the effects that conflict management and the bases power have on group performance. I learned five primary conflict management styles which include avoidance, competition, collaboration (also labeled as integrative), accommodation, and compromise. Avoidance demonstrates a low concern for self and others. Competition represents a high concern for self and a low concern for other. Collaboration is a high concern for self and others. Accommodation, demonstrates a low concern for self and a high concern for others. Compromise however, reflects an intermediate concern for self and others. Each one of these styles will bring a different outcome when trying to reach a solution in a group.
What I learned from this section in combinations with everything else from this small group communication class, was that just because you're in a small group doesn't mean you treat it differently. This really taught how to organize my group or team as well how to approach your team and that some conflict and power is okay to have but if it gets out of hand how to approach the situations to make it better