Page 44 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

Human Communication Processes in the Small Group Context 27

FIGURE 2.1
Picturing
Sender Message Receiver communication
as a transactional
process

Feedback

Older view of communication as a linear process

Member 1’s Member 2’s
meaning meaning
Shared meaning

VERBAL and NONVERBAL MESSAGES

Shared meaning

Communication as a transactional process

words or actions. Nevertheless, in a social setting like a group, your behavior
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always communicates—even silence will be interpreted by fellow group members.
5. Communication involves content and relationship dimensions.
Any message, or any action, sound, or word used in interaction, contains both Message
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dimensions simultaneously. The content or denotative dimension of the message Any action, sound, or
is the subject, idea, or topic of the message—the what of the message. The word used in
relationship dimension of the message reveals how the speaker views his or her interaction.
relationship to the other participants—the how of the message.
Tamika’s first remark presents a fact—that Tyler has not arrived at the
designated time. Relationally, she feels comfortable enough with the group to
offer an opinion about the group and one member, that the group could have
finished its meeting if members had been able to start on time. Notice Lam’s
final remark: “Let’s just go ahead and get started. . . . Ryan, did you . . . ?” At
the content level, Lam seems to be making a procedural suggestion (“Let’s get
started”) and asking Ryan for information. At the relationship level, however,
Lam is saying, “I have enough authority in this group to suggest how to proceed,
and I’m taking charge now.” The rest of the members accept Lam’s relational
definition, and the meeting gets under way. Why? Lam is their leader, and he is

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