Small Group Dynamics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Small Group Dynamics - Essay Example He coined the term "group dynamics" to describe the way groups and individuals act and react to changing circumstancesThe social process by which people interact face-to-face is called group dynamic. Small group communication experts Isa Engleberg and Dianna Wynn (2003) have identified seven types of groups to which you can belong: primary, social, self-help, learning, service, work, and public. For the purpose of the study a group is selected which was appointed by the Government. The group is a public group, in which group members interact for the benefit of an audience. There was wide spread fear among the public due to the outbreak of bird flu in many parts of the world. The government was doing its best to ensure the public that the poultry was safe to eat. But the public were reluctant. The poultry business was affected and many restaurants faced problems because of this. The government decided to do a live talk-show on the National television network, wherein the public can call and talk with the experts to clarify their doubts. The experts appointed by the government were: The members knew very little about the other members in the group and they did not know how to function as a group. The group had to, therefore, go through the all the stages in group formation. So the group was a "zero history group". They had one-week's time and so decided to meet every day before the D-day at 9 in the morning. The first step taken was the exchange of certain information about them or about people close to them such as address, phone, fax and email including their housemates, family, neighbours and friends and also their activities and habits. Groups and Relationships A small group is always influenced by the way how the group fits into its content and how the members balance their relationship both within the group and outside the group. There was very cordial and supportive relationship among the members. The members were engaged in the following activities: a) Problem solving- The members tried to find a way to alleviate the fear for poultry products among the public. Their task was to propagate message about the safety of poultry products in the country. b) Creation of identities- The members voluntarily decided to take up the following roles: Mrs. G- Coordinator and Leader (Shows the relationships between ideas) Mr. D- Initiator-contributor (Generates new ideas) Myself, Ms. C- Information-giver (Offers facts or generalization to the group) Mr. E- Recorder (Keeps a record of group actions) Mrs. G was a democratic leader;