Theories of Small Group Communication July 24, 2011

THEORIES OF SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

The majority of small group communication textbooks are grounded in systems theory. Although systems theory is a relatively intuitive way to explore small group processes, it does have some weaknesses. For example, systems theory tends to favor stability over change, so innovation is often characterized as a system anomaly rather than a normal part of group work. The emphasis on harmony in systems theory means that conflict must be presented as abnormal and destructive. Systems theory generally ignores issues of power and status that influence small group decision making, particularly when groups are embedded in larger organizations. So while systems theory encourages us to examine the ways in which group members and groups are inter-related, it ignores other aspects of small group communication that are equally as important. In this module we'll briefly examine other theories of small group communication.


The Importance of Theory
Theories influence the way we think, interpret our world, and the actions we take. We develop theories about our environment to help organize and interpret our experiences. For example, if our theory of communication is that communication is the transmission of information, then we'll study senders who present clear, concise, well-organized messages. If we think of communication as performance, then we'll be concerned with shared meanings, sensemaking, and the way people coordinate their actions. These two approaches to communication suggest that "communication" can be understood in different ways if it is studied through different theories.

Let's examine a hypothetical scenario. During a group meeting, the leader provides oral and written instructions for all group members, which tell them how to write their sections of the group's report. Half the group members follow the instructions completely, one-quarter follow some of the instructions, and the remaining members don't follow the instructions at all. With the communication as transmission model, we'd examine the leader's instructions for clarity, detail, and organization. Our goal would be to improve the instructions so all group members could follow them to the letter. Based on the communication as performance approach, we'd want to know how the leader and group members made sense of the meeting and the instructions. We might want to hear about stories the leader and group member told based on their experience. We would focus on the way group members go about coordinating their actions, and possibly work with the group to reflect on group member interaction.

No single, perfect, all-encompassing theory of small group communication exists. Each theory of small groups illuminates some features of communication while hiding others. Still, some theories have greater utility than others do because they provide more insight, more practical implications, and lead us to ask more interesting and creative questions about small groups. For example, early research on work groups in organizations used a machine metaphor to understand group processes. This research focused on the group's task and ignored interpersonal aspects of small group work. Yet, those interpersonal aspects influence the way group members go about accomplishing their tasks. Thus, the machine metaphor may help us develop an efficient assembly line for producing automobiles, but it won't help us understand why the line's team members sabotage each other's work.


Theories of Small Group Communication
This section of the website provides an overview of four theories of small group communication: Functional Theory, Symbolic Convergence Theory, Structuration Theory, and the Naturalistic Paradigm. The descriptions included here serve only as introductions to these theories of small group communication and are not meant to be comprehensive discussions. The reference and additional reading lists offer sources for you to further explore research theories of small group communication. The overview does not cover every theory of small group communication, but includes the more developed and researched approaches to small groups.