Page 403 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

386 Glossary

M Norm: An unstated informal rule, enforced by peer pressure,
that governs the behavior of members of a small group.
Maintenance function: Relationship- oriented member behav-
ior that reduces tensions, increases solidarity, and facili- O
tates teamwork.
Majority decision: Decision made by vote, with the win- Open system: A system with relatively permeable bound-
aries, producing a high degree of interchange between
ning alternative receiving more than half the members’
votes. the system and its environment.
Openness to experience: The Big Five personality charac-
Masculinity (as applied to culture): The quality of cultures
that value assertiveness and dominance. teristic of being imaginative, creative, and intellectu-
ally curious.
Meeting notice: A written message providing the time,
place, purpose, and other information relevant to an Outputs: Anything that is produced by the throughput
upcoming meeting. processes of a system, such as a tangible product or a
change in components of the system; in a small group,
Message: Any action, sound, or word used in interactions. outputs are such things as reports, resolutions, changes
Mindful communication: Communication that is open to in cohesiveness, and attitude changes in members.
multiple perspectives, shows a willingness to see the
world from another’s worldview, and shifts perspective Overgeneralization: Assumption that because something
if necessary. is true about one or a few items, it is true of all or most
Minutes: A written record of every relevant item dealt items of the same type.
with during a group meeting, including a record of all P
decisions. Panel discussion: A small group whose members interact
Moderator: A person who controls the flow of communi- informally and in impromptu manner for the benefit of
cation during a public presentation such as a panel or a listening audience.
forum discussion.
Multifinality: The principle that systems starting out Paralanguage: Nonverbal characteristics of voice and utter-
ance, such as pitch, rate, tone of voice, fluency, pauses,
at the same place may reach different end points or and variations in dialect.
outcomes.
Multiple causation: The principle that each change in a Paraphrase: Restatement in one’s own words of what one
system is caused by numerous factors. understood a speaker to mean.
Participant– observer: An active participant in a small
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Myers- Briggs Type Indicator : A personality measure,
based on the work of Carl Jung, that categorizes peo- group who is at the same time observing and evaluat-
ple on the basis of how they relate to the world around ing its processes and procedures.
them. Passive- aggressive behavior: Behavior that outwardly seems
helpful but actually sabotages a group’s work.
N People- oriented listener: A listener who is sensitive to

Net conference: A meeting that is electronically mediated others, nonjudgmental, and concerned about how his
by networked computers. or her behavior affects others; can become distracted
Neuroticism: Individuals who regularly experience nega- from task by others’ problems.
tive emotions such as anxiety and fear and respond to Perceiving- Judging Dimension: The Myers- Briggs Type
stress in antagonistic or hostile ways. Indicator dimension concerning how people orga-
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Nonassertive behavior: Passive behavior that allows one’s nize the worlds; perceivers are spontaneous and flexi-
own rights and beliefs to be ignored or dominated, often ble whereas judgers are decisive and prefer structure.
to avoid conflict, even at the expense of good decision Personal growth group: A group of people who come
making. together to develop personal insights, overcome per-
Nonverbal behavior: Messages other than words to which sonality problems, and grow personally through feed-
listeners react. back and support of others.

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