Page 154 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

Communication

and Group Culture:

Tensions, Fantasy,

Socialization,
©Nick White/Getty Images Norms, and

Climate

C H A P T E R 6

STUDY OBJECTIVES CENTRAL MESSAGE
As a result of studying Chapter 6, you should be able to: When individuals
1. Describe the structuration process whereby member
communication creates and maintains the group. collaborating on an
2. Describe primary and secondary tension and explain how interdependent goal begin to
members’ management of their tasks and social concerns gives
rise to the major phases through which most groups pass. interact, their communication
3. Describe how a status hierarchy develops in a group and explain shapes them into a group with
the implications that such a hierarchy has on group dynamics. its own unique culture. This
4. Describe how fantasy chains help socially construct a small
group’s culture. group culture is a function of
5. Define group socialization and describe the phases of how group members manage
socialization.
6. Explain how group rules and norms develop; be able to their social and task
recognize, state, and describe their effect on the group. challenges, the group’s
7. Explain cohesiveness and describe nine techniques for
enhancing it in a small group. fantasy life, status hierarchy,
8. Differentiate supportive from defensive communication socialization patterns,
behaviors and explain how they contribute to a group’s climate.
9. Describe teambuilding and illustrate how it can be used to emergent norms, and climate.
increase group cohesiveness, including cohesiveness in virtual
teams.

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