Chapter 11, 12 and 13

For this chapter, our lecturer did not emphasize much on his own presentations, but instead, told us to prepare slides in order to help us understand more about the three chapters. So we prepared our own slides and presented it to the class.

In small groups, there are many different roles in a group that are involved in solving a specific task that are assigned to them, they are :

• Initiator
• Information Seeker
• Opinion Seeker
• Information giver
• Elaorator
• Coordinator
• Orienter
• Evaluator
• Energizer
• Procedural Technician
• Recorder

However, when the group is at a disagreement or faces complications, several individuals of the particular group will have to take roles as maintenance. These roles are important in order to build and improve the relationships of the group. The roles in particular are :

• Encourager
• Harmonizer
• Compromizer
• Gatekeeper
• Standard Setter
• Observer
• Follower

As there are roles that help to build and improve the relationships of the group, there has to be a negative side which affects the group, there are 8 in particular :

• Aggressor
• Blocker
• Recognition Seeker
• Self-Confessor
• Playboy/Playgirl
• Dominator
• Help Seeker
• Special Interset Pleader

Chapter 10 : Small Groups

Small Group

What is a small group? Are there several format or types of small groups? Do effective groups differ from groups that are ineffective?

Small groups are considered as collections of individuals that are connected to one another who have the same common purpose, people who possess degrees of organization among them, are interdependent and see themselves as a group member-like person. Small groups are commonly formed out of several characteristics like :

• Purpose
• Interdependence
• Organization of Rules
• Self-Perception as a Group

Teams that are effective always possess these traits :

• Specific Purpose
• Clearly Defined Roles
• Goal Directed
• Content Focused

As the flow of conversation happens, the small groups often follow the same stages as interpersonal communication, they are :

• Opening
• Feed-Forward
• Business
• Feedback
• Closing

There are several formats of small groups which are :

• Round Table
• Panel
• Symposium
• Symposium-Forum 

In a group, every individual brings different roles to the groups, these roles are also known as the power inherent in different individuals, there are 6 types and they are :

• Legitimate Power
• Referent Power
• Coercive Power
• Expert Power
• Information Power

There are 4 types of small groups :

• Idea-Generation Group
• Personal-Growth Group
• Informaion-Sharing Group
• Information-Sharing Group
• Problem-Solving Group

There are also 6 types of critical thinking hats, where each color indicates the type of traits that an individual possesses.

Chapter 9 : Friends, Lovers and Families

Friendship

What is it? Why is it essential for us to make friends?

Friendship is considered an interpersonal relationship. Friendships must be mutually productive, and is characterized by a few factors such as support, trust and sharing interest. There are three types of friendships :

• Reciprocity (used for close friends)
• Receptivity (students and lecturers)
• Association (neighbors)

Many individuals seek friendship for :

• Utility purposes (aiding to achieve goals)
• Affirmation (helping to recognize potential)
• Ego support (supporting and encouragement)
• Stimulation (new ideas)
• Security (prevention from getting hurt)

There are also 3 development stages of friendships :

• Initial contact and acquaintanceship
• Casual friendship
• Close and intimate friendship

Friendships are also affected by three different factors which are :

• Culture
• Gender
• Technology

Romantic Relationships

There are six different types of love :

• Eros : Erotic, lust and desire
• Ludus : Fun and excitement
• Storge : Peaceful and slow
• Pragma : Practical and traditional
• Mania : Extremist of opposites
• Agape : Unconditional love

Different cultures have different interpretations of love, for example, in the United States of America, many couples are more explicit when it comes to showing their love in public. But when it comes into comparison with eastern countries, it's the other way around. For many male individuals, the usual type of love is either "Ludus" or "Eros", whereas for women, it is usually "Pragma".

Family

• Every family would have common traits such as : 
• Defined roles
• Recognition of responsibilities
• Shared history and future
• Shared living space

There are three types of families, they are :

• Traditional families (conventional form of families)
• Independent (focuses on the individuals as the main theme)
• Separate (staying together for benefits)

Families usually stick to 4 principles of communication :

• a. Equality (equal respect and understanding)
• b. Balanced Split (equal responsibility)
• c. Monopoly (only one doing all the works)
• d. Unbalanced split (one person in the family is the authorizer/authority)