Chapter 2 focuses on four of the internal influences of the system's Model of Small Group Interaction: communication, language behavior, self-disclosure, and interaction roles. This chapter concentrates on the important topic of communication. Because communication is one of the most important aspects of group interaction, a thorough discussion of it is necessary. This chapter defines communication and discusses several different types. The topic of language behavior is presented, along with four specific problems that groups often confront: bypassing, inference making, polarizing, and signal reactions. In a group, members must decide how much to share or contribute; therefore, this chapter examines self-disclosure. Interaction roles are the last of the internal influences discussed in Chapter 2. One often establishes several roles in day-to-day living. Three types of these are group task roles, group maintenance roles, and individual roles. Recent research at UCLA by Foreman (1999) shows that even graduate students at some of the top universities in America demonstrate a lack of skill in small group communication. She writes, "They may study the intricacies of team building, but they rarely learn how to coordinate the efforts of several people in the composition of a report or presentation" (p. 11). This chapter addresses some of those communication skills. If you are into Web surfing as one form of your communication, be careful. There is new software organizations can use to monitor your activity to see if it complies with their desires. To check it out see www.littlebrother.com.
