This summary is organized around the questions found at the beginning of the chapter. See if you can answer them before reading the summary paragraphs.

1. What are some of the different types of small groups in society?

A small group is composed of a limited number of individuals who communicate with each other to achieve a common goal. There are many different types of groups in society. Primary groups fulfill our basic human needs of survival, safety, and inclusion. They include families and relationships. Other types of groups include social groups, help groups, civic groups, community-based groups, virtual groups, and problem-solving groups.

2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of making a decision in a group?

There are several advantages to group decision making. Groups often make better decisions than individuals because they bring a variety of viewpoints, resources, and talents to the problem. Through division of labor, groups can also divide a task into parts and ask each member to take responsibility for a different element. This often allows groups to achieve more than a single individual could possibly accomplish. Finally, group members will be more committed to a decision that they help make. This commitment helps implement the decision and builds group cohesion.

Disadvantages of group decision making include the following: Members may have to sacrifice their individual preferences for the will of the group, which can be frustrating for particular members. Group decision making inevitably creates a certain amount of conflict that may also cause anxiety and frustration for some members. Finally, group decisions sometimes take more time than those made by individuals, and members often must "cover" or compensate for other members who do not do their share of the work.

3. How do norms and roles influence group communication and decision making?

Group norms are expectations about how members should behave and are established through interaction. Some norms are implicit and unstated while others are more overt or explicit. One norm is the level of cohesion or attachment members feel toward the group. Groups that develop cohesion often are more productive than groups that do not, although groupthink is a risk. Group norms are influenced by a culture's view of collectivism versus individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity versus femininity.

Group roles are common expectations that define a specific purpose, need, or capacity with the group. Some roles facilitate the group task and include gathering and distributing information, evaluating ideas and suggestions, and coordinating group activities. Maintenance roles serve to build relationships within the group and include members who solve conflicts, arrange compromises, and support other members. Finally, some roles are counterproductive. Individual roles that satisfy a member's needs at the expense of the group include seeking individual recognition, blocking group efforts, or withdrawing from the discussion.

4. How can groups organize a discussion effectively when making a decision?

One way to structure a discussion in which a decision needs to be made is to use the problem-solving agenda (PSA). A PSA is a written guide to a group meeting that helps structure the decision. The problem-solving agenda has five steps: (1) define and understand the problem, (2) establish explicit criteria for an effective solution, (3) generate possible solutions to the problem, (4) select the best possible solution to the problem, and (5) implement the solution and reevaluate the decision.

5. What is the role of a responsible leader?

Leadership is the process of exerting positive influence over other group members. There are three styles of leadership. Authoritarian leadership is autocratic in nature with the leader making all of the decisions for the group. Laissez-faire leadership is nondirective leadership with the leader providing only minimal, if any, guidance. Finally, democratic leadership is participative in nature with the leader allowing members to make important decisions.

A responsible leader should be organized but flexible. Leaders have the responsibility to facilitate and manage group communication as well as actively participate in the discussion. A good leader is usually democratic and does not overreact.