Page 367 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

350 Chapter 12

quadrant). Members are sufficiently task-oriented to complete the group’s assignment,
but friendly enough toward each other that their interaction is probably harmonious.
This is a picture of a productive and efficient group. As you can see, a SYMLOG
analysis provides a “snapshot” of a group as a whole system whose component parts
(the members) operate interdependently. SYMLOG is a particularly helpful tool
because it so clearly displays such aspects as the degree of cohesiveness, the degree
and type of member participation, group task orientation, and so forth.
Group work is not just about getting the task done. It is also about forming satis-
fying relationships with the other members. The most memorable teams you will
experience are those with group members who do good work and enjoy one another
in the process. Relational satisfaction has not been studied as extensively as task
accomplishment, but communication scholars are recognizing its importance.
Members are more satisfied when they feel involved, know they belong to the group,
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and are satisfied with their group relationships. SYMLOG helps group members or
outside observers “see” the extent to which group members are satisfied with their
relationships, are cohesive and productive, and operate in a supportive climate.
We remind you again that, although we have suggested some instruments as par-
ticularly useful for self-assessment, others for assessing the members or the group, and
others to be used by observers and consultants, all of the methods we have presented
in this chapter are flexible and can be used in a variety of ways.

Recap: A Quick Review

onsultants can often provide the objective assessments a group
Cneeds:
1. Consultants, who are not group members, can serve the functions of reminding
members of principles they have forgotten, teaching members procedures and
techniques, and critiquing a group’s performance.
2. Knowledgeable students can be effective consultants; their skills are enhanced
through observation and practice.
3. Consultants must give feedback sensitively and cannot force a group to change;
ultimately, the group decides whether and how to accept the consultant’s feedback.
4. Consultants must plan their observations in advance because it is impossible to
pay attention to every aspect of a group equally; they should focus on the most
important or most problematic aspects of a group’s interaction.
5. Consultants must treat members ethically, the way they would want to be treated;
they can be guided by the procedures that universities have established for how to
treat research participants.
6. Verbal interaction diagrams describe who talks to whom and how often.
7. Content analysis can be constructed to evaluate any type of content, including topic
of discussion, types of questions, and style of managing conflict.
8. SYMLOG, which is both a theory and a methodology, can help members or consult-
ants gain insight into how a group functions; it is especially useful for assessing the
group’s cohesiveness or lack of it.

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