Lecture 12 - COMM 300 Aimee King PDF

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COMM 300 Aimee King...

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Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making (FP) New Unit- groups decision making • groups are better at making decisions than individuals • Small group communication requires conflict • This will not be critique on the exam, it falls in both WV1 and WV2

Assumptions: 1. Group interaction (how well you communicate) has an effect on decision making quality 2. Group decision making processes are like the human body’s biological system • systems in the body (4 functions to live, breathe, circulation, etc.) • Small groups must complete 4 functions to survive and thrive • Small groups come together to make the correct and effective decisions

Key Concepts: 4 Functions are Needed to Produce Effective Decisions: 1. Analysis of the problem- groups have to have a common understanding on what the problem is and that they are coming together to fix this problem that exists 2. Goal Setting- specific criteria for the group to follow, so personal goal or powerful politics to come through • Individuals will not take advantage if there is a goal and criteria to follow 3.

Identification of alternatives

• Brainstorming • Not holding yourself back because it will drive creativity • Coming up with many solutions 4. 1

Evaluation of positive and negative characteristics

• Evaluation of negative characteristics is the most important and critical step • What could go wrong? • Devil’s advocate • The what if situations • Forces you to make back up plans • You do not have to go in order, but all steps must be hit to be successful Role of Communication in Group Decision Making 1. Distribute and pool information • Everyone needs to be able to put in their option • Court juries, people from all walks of life 2. Catch and remedy errors • Many eyes and ears to catch errors • Pays to be the skeptic in the group • The point is not to be friends to build any relationships 3. Influence • Hard to change your mind, but as a group you have to be flexible if logic and evidence is shown • Group goal first Types of Communication in Group Decision Making 1. Promotive- task oriented, it is moving the group closer to its goal 2. Disruptive- moves the group away from goal, off topic conversations 3. Counteractive- counters disruptive communication, gets the group back on track to completing the task or meeting

Practical Advice for Group Decision Making A. Be skeptical of personal opinion

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