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Communication and Group Culture 163

Virtual teams create climates, too, by how members communicate. In one study,
Bird found that members in a discussion devoted to the television series Dr. Quinn,
Medicine Woman created a nurturing online community free of flaming and insults by
monitoring their behavior and supporting the list owner in disciplining members who
stepped out of line. Members first received a code of conduct when they joined the
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community and agreed to abide by it. This community has lively disagreements that
are respectful, and Bird observed a high level of trust and openness in this virtual
community.

Recap: A Quick Review

group’s climate is felt and seen in its emotional and relational atmosphere.
ACohesive climates emerge out of patterns supportive group interaction.
1. Group cohesiveness is observed in high member satisfaction, constructive and
supportive behaviors, effective coping behaviors in the face of difficulties, and more
control over group member behavior.
2. Cohesiveness, while obviously a characteristic of the socioemotional quality of the
group culture, is also closely tied to the group’s commitment to its goal (or task).
3. Highly cohesive groups, contrary to common assumptions about cohesiveness,
show higher rates of open disagreement than do less cohesive groups.
4. Cohesiveness can be facilitated by teamwork, clear goals, allowing time for mem-
bers to get to know each other, rewarding accomplishments, creating group identity
and the rituals to reinforce it, allowing the group time to play, and supporting open
disagreement in climates of trust.
5. Virtual groups face the same challenges that face-to-face groups do in creating
cohesive climates; in addition, they must consider how their computer technology
can both facilitate and impede their cohesiveness.
6. Patterns of supportiveness versus defensive behaviors should be reinforced if a
group is to build cohesive climates.
7. Teambuilding is a special set of procedures that group members can use to build
cohesiveness; the procedures are out of the ordinary but may be necessary.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

Why do some groups manage to build the kind of group 1. How would you describe the structuration process
cultures that facilitate success and others fall apart? We of the medical group as they try to develop an
argue that the secrets are found in the group’s communi- instructional program? How do they end up creat-
cation among its members and its environment. The ing a group that moves them away from a demo-
medical team of unassailable member competence just cratic spirit?
could not “get it together.” Consider their group and the 2. How would you describe secondary tension to this
others mentioned in this chapter when you review these group and what would you recommend to them as
questions. ways to better negotiate this tension?

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