Social Work and Reflective Communication SWP22REC

1
Social Work and Reflective CommunicationSWP22REC

• Lecture 22
• Communication within and with Groups
• Slides prepared by
• Dr Trish McNamara

2
What is a group?

• .a small collection of people who interact with
  each other, usually face to face over time to
  reach goals.
• Adler and Rodman (2006) p. 262

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Interaction

• Without interaction a collection of people
  isnt a
• group.
• Students in a lecture are not a group unless
  they interact with each other and the
  lecturer.
• Adler and Rodman (2006) pp.262-263

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Interdependence

• The behaviour of one person in a group effects
  all others in the group

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The Virtual Group - Advantages

• Computer mediated
• Does not meet face to face
• Facilitates contact despite challenges of time
  and geography
• Minimises power differentials
• Can be less threatening

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Challenges with virtual groups

• Is open to confusing messages
• Is subject to the vagaries of IT
• Some members may lack resources to participate
  fully
• Some members are less able/willing to initiate
• Energy can lapse over time

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Groups and Time

• A collection of people who gather together for
  a short time is not a group
• e.g. a group of people gathered to watch a fire

8
Size

• Adler and Rodmans (2006) definition of a
  small group ranges from 3 to 7-20 members
• p.264

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Goals

• Usually one or more goals
• May be individual goals task or social
• May be group goals the collective aim(s)
• The less difference between the group goals and
  the individuals goals the less conflict

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Types of group

• Growth groups marriage encounter groups, group
  therapy
• Self help groups AA, Al Anon, Eating Disorders
  Support Network,
• Problem solving groups Neighbourhood Watch,
  Kindergarten Committee
• Social groups Parents without Partners, Car
  clubs, Scottish dancing, Book clubs etc.

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Characteristics of groups

• Rules attendance, homework etc
• Norms social, procedural and task

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Family

• Rules (explicit)
• No chores, no allowance
• Phone home
• Fill the tank
• Sunday nights is family time

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Family

• Norms (unstated)
• Dad in bad mood dont raise problems
• Keep off Sheilas divorce
• Tease Luke, not Sheila
• No trouble no questions
• Keep off sex, religion and politics at family
  gatherings

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On-the-job meetings

• Rules (explicit)
• Meetings every Monday at nine
• Rotating minute keeper
• Meetings last one hour
• No phone calls except emergencies

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Norms (unstated)

• Use first names
• Challenge the boss briefly
• Jokes - but no sexual or ethnic topics
• Gut feelings need hard facts to back them
• Dont show distress if ones ideas are not
  accepted
• Adapted from Table 8.2 (Adler and Rodman, 2006 p.
  273)
• See also John Cleese in Meetings bloody meetings
  Library Call no 658.456 M495

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Roles

• Social
• Task
• Formal
• Informal

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Some functional roles of group members

• Initiator/contributor
• Opinion seeker
• Coordinator
• Energizer
• Diagnostician
• Adapted from table 8.2 Adler and Rodman (2006)

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Social/maintenance roles

• Supporter
• Harmoniser
• Tension reliever
• Conciliator
• Gatekeeper
• Feeling expresser
• Follower

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Dysfunctional roles

• Blocker
• Aggressor
• Deserter
• Dominator
• Recognition seeker
• Joker
• Cynic

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Four stages of group development in problem
solving groups

• Orientation
• Conflict
• Emergence
• Reinforcement
• Fisher cited in Adler and Rodman (2006)

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Group dynamics

• Interacting forces in group communication

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Group process

• Changing patterns in the dynamics of a group

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Leadership

• A leader is best
• When people barely know
• That he exists
• Not so good when people obey and acclaim him
• Worse when they despise him
• Fail to honour people
• They fail to honour you
• But of a good leader who talks little
• When his work is done his aim fulfilled
• They will say We did it ourselves
• Lao-tzu

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Leadership styles

• Laissez faire
• Authoritarian/autocratic
• Democratic

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ve leadership traits

• Social nearness, friendliness
• Technical skills
• Group task supportiveness
• Task motivation and application
• Emotional balance and control
• Social and interpersonal skills

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Common challenges for group leaders

• Information underload and overload
• Unequal participation
• Pressure to conform

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Cultural influences on group communication

• Individualism versus collectivism
  (Australia/Taiwan)
• Power distance (New Zealand/France)
• Uncertainty avoidance (USA/Japan)
• Task versus social orientation (Austria/Norway)
• Short versus long term orientation
  (Australia/Chinese countries)
• Hofstede (1997)