## CRS 333 Fall 2025 Small Group Communication’s Updates

### Professor Dunagan's Week 2 Update - What is Small Group Communication?

Welcome to Week 2 of The Art of Small Group Communication! This week we'll begin our study of small groups and the way they communicate by trying to better understand what a small group is and how it works as well as understanding the basics of communication in a small group.

We are now officially underway in our study of small group communication! Week 2 will provide you with a bit of an overview of small group communication. Here's what we will cover this week:

- Understand the types of groups that exist
- A good definition of a small group
- What makes up a small group
- How small group communication is defined
- Why we join small groups

Here are the activities in Week 2 that are available and/or suggested that you complete:

- Two short quizzes covering the content in Update 2. You must complete both quizzes. You'll find these quizzes under "Assessments/Quizzes Weeks 2-7" on Blackboard.
- One community update - You must complete a total of 10 updates over the span of this course. There will be a total of 13 updates possible, which means you can skip any three of the remaining updates over the course - with the exception of the community update for Week 12.
- Two comments on other community members' updates - You must complete a total of 20 comments on other students' updates over the span of this course.
- One comment on this update - You must create a comment for each of the admin (learning module) updates in the course.
- Please read Chapter 1 (pp 1-21) in the textbook - "Small Groups and Team Communication"

​Part I - WHY WE SHOULDN'T HATE GROUPS

Anyone who's ever had to work with one or more people on doing anything has been in a small group. To be honest, that's not really a great definition of a small group but it will do just fine for now. Don't worry - there's more on this later.

When you think of small groups, you probably think of the ever-popular "group projects" you have been involved with in high school or college, which might have resembled the picture below. These students are having fun, right? Or not. Chances are good that you remember your group projects as a root canal that goes on forever and is a lot more painful. The fact is that all of us have probably had some kind of unfortunate experience working with a group and that we all anticipate a similar experience when we get stuck in another one again.

Fig. 1: Small group communication

Despite the bad experience you may have had with a small group, the fact is that you have been involved in one or more small groups that have likely been pretty effective. The fact is that small groups exist in practically every facet of our daily lives. Here are just a few examples of the kind of small groups you have probably been in (and didn't even realize it!):

- Family
- Teams
- Clubs or organizations
- Committees
- Classes
- Cliques (Were you in one? Are you in one?)

What is it about groups that make them work? What is it about them that makes them fail? Many times it is nothing more than the desire of those people in the group to be willing to work together to achieve their common goal or overcome their common problem. Sometimes that is the result of a lot of careful planning in order to assemble just the right group of people. And sometimes it just manages to happen without a lot of effort. Watch this video of a flashmob coming together in a Belgian train station to perform a song from the musical The Sound of Music. While it's clear there's been some organization of this event, it's hard to tell how many showed up to participate and how many just joined in for the fun of it. Think about the ways that the message of this flashmob might have been shared or communicated between those who participated.

Media embedded February 14, 2021

Fig. 2: Matthias De Boeck (2009, March 23). Sound of Music: Central Station Antwerp [video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/7EYAUazLI9k

Obviously, not many groups have this kind of success without more effort going into their work. While it is possible that groups who are thrown together and given minimal guidance can have some surprising results, most small groups are a result of a purpose for the group's existence and a decision on the part of someone as to who will work together in that group. So a small group typically comes together in a deliberate and purposeful way.

Earlier you got a "quick and dirty" definition of a small group. This is a much more detailed way to describe the key attributes of a small group.

- A collection of 3 to 20 individuals
- Interdependent
- Influence each other over a period of time
- Share a common goal or purpose
- Assume specialized roles
- Have a sense of mutual belonging
- Maintain norms and standards for group membership
- Engage in interactive communication

Easy, right? Actually, there are a lot of moving parts going on in this definition. Watch the video below for a better understanding of what each part of the definition means.

Media embedded February 14, 2021

Fig. 3: Dunagan, J. (2020, June 5). CRS 333 breakdown of a small group [video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/z-8BLyAED0Y

When small groups are conceived, they are typically considered to be a network of individuals who interact with each other. This definition or explanation provides us with a more basic understanding of how the group works. In the image below, you can see that the group is formed like a wheel with the "medium" or facilitator in the middle forming the hub of the group and the group members as spokes coming out of the hub. While this is a very basic group organization, this image helps to see that a group has a sense of connectivity to it. The group's members are bound to the group in some fashion.

Fig. 4: Network of group members

How does this network of individuals interact with each other? Here are some ways:

- Focus time and attention on a common purpose goal and task - Groups rarely function with different goals or projects that splinter group members. A group's purpose in almost all situations is to either deal with a common goal or task or work together to develop that goal or task.
- Functions as a spoke or part of a larger network of interconnected groups - Groups are often part of a system like an organization. That group will work on its goals but is a part of the larger system, made up of other types and sizes of groups all working on tasks that may or may not interact with other groups. We'll get into the idea of systems later in this update.
- Group purpose and power may be participated differently by group members - Groups are formed for different reasons, often with specific people in them to address the reasons for the group's existence. Sometimes people with specific skills might be afforded more power or more resources in the group. Sometimes a leader is designated to keep the group on task. Other times, members function in an egalitarian way with all members having an equal voice and vote.
- Group members interact with each other to accomplish goals of the group - You learned earlier that groups are interdependent, at times working individually but ultimately dependent on the group for success. Groups must interact with one another to better understand each member's views and to collaborate on the most effective ways for the group to accomplish its goals.

That's a lot to take in. So how can you make better sense of this? This short video provides a good understanding of the way groups work to come to a decision. Again, we'll delve into this in more detail later in the course, but this video helps to put group function into perspective.

Media embedded February 14, 2021

Fig. 5: Group decision making (2012)

Please complete this quick quiz on Blackboard before continuing with Part II. (You may need to log into Blackboard to view the quiz.)

PART II - WHAT IS SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION ANYWAY?

Fig. 6: Introduction to communication studies

Now that's an attractive bunch of people! Are they everything you ever wanted from a group project team? Maybe. But what they do look like is an engaged group who are working together to achieve that ever-elusive common goal. That leads us to what we will call our formal definition of "small group communication:"

The transactional process of using symbolic behavior to achieve shared meaning among group members over time.

Did you get that? What's the part about the "transactional process?" And what about "achieving shared meaning?" It's true - this definition is both comprehensive and in need of some serious unpacking. Watch the video below to get a better understanding of this definition of small group communication.

Media embedded February 14, 2021

Fig. 7: Defining small group communication (2020).

So is the whole concept of groups just something that we are more or less forced into? Is this like our family, who we're just stuck with and have to find a way to cope? While many groups are a result of someone externally choosing members for a specific purpose, we decide all the time about whether or not we are interested in joining a group. Why?

Fig. 8: Joining a group

We join groups for a number of reasons:

- Interpersonal attraction - we seek what is appealing to us
- Physical proximity - if the group is convenient for us, so much the better
- Attitude similarity - you and the group have similar views on issues of importance
- Need complementarity - your needs complement the group (i.e. you want to be a leader; the group needs a leader)
- Need for affiliation - our desire as human beings to be in social contact, to seek meaning and identity in the involvement with others
- Commitment to group goals and activities - you have a shared interest in a form of expression or in a cause
- Assignment by someone else - someone decides you should be in a group

Now that you find yourself in a group, what kind of key characteristics are common within a small group? Two powerful concepts seem to drive much of what happens in any group. One is the exponential number of interactions in a group. As the size of a group grows, the number of possible interactions between members grows dramatically.

Fig. 9: Exponential interactions

This chart gives you an idea of how complex group interactions can be as group size increases. It is one of the reasons that I believe small group size should be kept small - no more than six members.

The other characteristic of small groups is synergy. The easiest way to describe synergy is "there's strength in numbers." When more than one person works on a particular problem or issue, the result is greater than if each of the people worked individually on it and then pooled their results. This video is a bit more about business than I would like but it does do an excellent job of describing how synergy can work in a small group.

Media embedded February 14, 2021

Fig. 10: What is synergy (2019).

Finally, in order to be successful as a small group, there are certain tasks or activities that members ought to undertake based on their role or function. This table provides some understanding of the way these so-called "coordinating mechanisms" work within a small group.

Fig. 11: Coordinating mechanisms

Before you move on to Week 3, there are some activities you should consider completing.

- There's a second quick quiz on Blackboard to take on what you learned in Part II. (You may need to log into Blackboard to view the quiz.)
- You should complete another community update. Read the instructions for it below. You are expected to complete 10 out of a possible 13 community updates during the course, so completing this one means you have one less to do!
- You also must provide a comment on this update below.

Community update - Read/skim over the peer-reviewed article below, which is about a study done on a group of children that compared their vocabulary knowledge before and after they received teaching lessons provided in a small-group session. Focus your attention on aspects of the study method on pp. 950-951 and on the "Discussion" section on p. 953. Without delving into the science of how these tests were done or the method of choosing the words, consider the significance of the vocabulary improvement of the children taught in a small group environment. Create a community update that gives your take on why you think this occurred.

Your community update should be at least 200 words long and have at least 1 image and 1 embedded video or other media included. Be sure to cite any sources you use to create this update. Also, you should comment on at least 2 other students' updates.

Effectiveness of a Small-Group Vocabulary Intervention Programme: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Design

Comment on Week 2 - Given what you have learned about small groups and small group communication in this update, how has your opinion of working in a small group changed? What expectations would you now have that you didn't have before?

Write a comment of at least 50 words. In addition, you can comment on other students' comments.

References

Buzz (2017, June 3). Joining a group of Roblox hackers. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgUCrd9Atk

DecisionEducation (2012, March 22). Group decision making [video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/rIfoIkJzlxU

Dunagan, J. (2020, June 5). CRS 333 breakdown of a small group [video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/z-8BLyAED0Y

Dunagan, J. (2020, June 5). CRS 333 defining small group communication [video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/BCrYRKvbM_w

Harris, T. E., & Sherblom, J. C. (2011). Small group and team communication (5th ed.). Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press Inc.

Introduction to communication studies (n.d.). Retrieved from https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-communication-studies/s01-introduction-to-communication-.html

Matthias De Boeck (2009, March 23). Sound of Music: Central Station Antwerp [video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/7EYAUazLI

Project Management Videos (2019, March 22). What is synergy, and how can it help my management [video file]? Retrieved from https://youtu.be/SM3tPVJze0E

Small group communication (n.d.). Retrieved from https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-communication-studies/s13-small-group-communication.html

Wiki: Small group Fall2005Session4 (2005). Retrieved from http://evolutionarymedia.com/cgi-bin/wiki.cgi?SmallGroupFall2005Session04,template.html

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### Add a Comment

- After learning more about small groups and the dynamics that shape how they work, my opinion on group work has definitely shifted. I used to think successful groups happened naturally, but now I see how much communication, shared responsibility, and defined roles actually matter. Going forward, I would expect clearer collaboration, more open discussion, and a willingness from everyone to adapt instead of assuming things will just fall into place.

  - Natalie Kurtz
  - Posted about a month ago
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- I didn’t fully appreciate the value of small groups before, but this update helped me see how much more focused and personal the learning experience can be. I used to think small groups were mainly for splitting tasks, but now I realize they create opportunities for more direct participation, confidence-building, and meaningful skill practice that might not happen in a larger class.

  - Ryder Ochoa
  - Posted 2 months ago
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- My expectations didnt change at all. I believe working in small groups can be very beneficial, if they are lead correctly. Ive been apart of of many small teams in my career and if they are lead properly, they will succeed.

  - Jake Spallina
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- I never really thought much about the benefits of small groups before, but this update makes me realize how much more focused and personal the learning can be. I used to think small groups were just about dividing work, but now I’d expect more direct participation, confidence-building, and chances to really practice skills I might not in a larger setting. It changes how I’d approach group work in the future, since I’d see it less as “extra” and more as a valuable space for growth.

  - Aliza Moon Lenz
  - Posted 4 months ago
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- My opinion of small groups and their communication has seen a shift as I have learned more about them throughout this week's lesson. I especially gained a better understanding of the organization of groups and how they are already an intrinsic part of our lives, whether through family, teams, or clubs. In realizing that in every small group, there is a sense of interconnectedness, even though people take on different roles, I am able to appreciate the effectiveness of smaller groups in different areas of my life.

  - Isabella Fiske
  - Posted 4 months ago
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- After this week's update, I have gained a deeper understanding of the organization of group work. I have always enjoyed group work in general (which is one of the reasons I took this course), but I have found issues within past group projects. I now understand that it is important to reflect on what is going wrong and find ways to solve issues, instead of giving up. I found synergy to be an interesting concept, and I hope to foster thoughtful collaboration within my future groups.

  - Eliza Brown
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- My opinion of working in a small group has remained pretty similar, but it really deepened from this update and class discussion. I thought the 7 specific reasons for joining a group were interesting, I've been in so many different groups but I never thought of why we specifically join them. After this update, I may expect that everyone would know this crucial information, and that we would all work together well. This expectation is probably not logical, I most likely will be stuck in unequal groups after this class, but the more you know, the more you see and I hope I see my groups trying hard.

  - Ally Garay
  - Posted 4 months ago
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- Before reading this week's chapter, group projects were never my favorite. Splitting work between people and ensuring that everyone does an equal amount of work can be challenging. After reading the chapter, I now understand how group projects can be practical. It all depends on how a group is structured and how the members interact. I can now see how past group projects weren't very well organized when it came to splitting up work amongst each other, which is why they may not have had the best outcomes. Moving forward, I see how collaborating as a team, sharing goals, and purposeful communication can be effective.

  - Martha Hyland
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- my opinion on small groups was always a good thing. ready more about it makes me realize how important it is to be involved in a group. the relationships you can build in a group can help you be a better student because you are listening to others opinions on what the task is.

  - Michael Leo
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- I used to think working in small groups would always have stress involved and there would be an uneven amount of work from everyone especially if the groups are randomly assigned, but this week’s content has shifted my perspective. I see now that small groups can have structure and purpose if done correctly, and that communication is key to their success. As we continue to go through class I am excited to learn more about how we can better communicate within small groups and how to apply that.

  - Alexa Parks
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