StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Small group evaluation paper - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
After the initial stage of group development, certain patterns or structures develop within the group. The boundary of a group consists of social norms, ethic, customs and obligations to which an individual member must conform as the price of inclusion…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.2% of users find it useful
Small group evaluation paper
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Small group evaluation paper"

Small Group Evaluation Paper The study of group behavior has a long tradition among social sciences in various disciplines. Common interests and goals bind members of a group that moves towards its achievement through frequent activities and interactions among them. After the initial stage of group development, certain patterns or structures develop within the group. The boundary of a group consists of social norms, ethic, customs and obligations to which an individual member must conform as the price of inclusion. In this regard, the objective of the essay is to present an examination of the roles and norms that existed in a permanent group in which one had participated. Specific examples of task oriented role, maintenance oriented role, norm and socioemotional role from Myers and Anderson’s “The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication” would be discussed. Task Oriented Role A. Description Task roles emphasizes content, structure and goals. As a group member, the task oriented roles that I performed was as an information seeker or giver; one who requests or supplies factual material, objective data, information, or ideas. This is a crucial and significant role as it entails great responsibility in terms of providing accurate and correct information needed by the group in decision making and in working towards the accomplishment of group goals. My role unites and binds other task oriented roles in terms of ensuring that all data and information needed by the members could be provided by me at the time that this information are required and at the most accessible and accurate manner. B. Analysis At first, it was difficult to assume the role as an information seeker because one needs to look for appropriate sources of information that would be most useful at the given time frame. There is a learning period for this particular role. I was able to adapt to the demands of the role after two or three meetings as the information for decision making and to accomplish group goals rely on my ability to source them at the soonest possible time. People who assume roles as information seeker must be resourceful and innovative to find ways and means to solicit as much information as needed that would help in the accomplishment of group activities. C. Evaluation One personal evaluation of task roles is that they greatly assisted in defining order and direction for the group through the responsibilities that are clearly expected from each member. Task roles are crucial to be identified and stated in every group so provide guidance and appropriate direction towards the achievement of group goals. Maintenance Role A. Description Maintenance or socioemotional roles support and nurture the group. I assumed the role of an encourager; one who helps develop and maintain a friendly, warm, acceptive, and realaxed atmosphere. An encourager is instrumental in enhancing group cohesiveness and warmth by giving praises and openly accepting the ideas of others. B. Analysis I find my role as an encourager both challenging and rewarding. It is challenging because I have to ensure that cohesiveness is developed among members of the group. In a cohesive group, I was made aware that members are attracted to each other and must engage in frequent social interaction. I made sure that we share positive feelings about the group, in general and that I am protective of its existence. C. Evaluation As indicated by Martires (111), “high group cohesiveness may result in either high or low levels of group performance. When standards of performance are high, performance is high, if the degree of cohesiveness is high”. Therefore, as much as possible, we strive to set a high standard for our performance so that all our activities and goals are consistent and we would achieve our objectives at the most effective way. As an encourager, I give motivation and words of acknowledgement and praise to uplift the spirits of group members. By doing so, members are more happy and satisfied on working towards group goals. Task Norm A. Description As indicated by Myers and Anderson, “task norms are norms that enable a group to work toward task accomplishment” (270). Observations of various groups reflect certain regularities in their behavior. As more members follow these patterns regularly, they become part of the unwritten and informal code of behavior that they actually become part of the group’s unspoken rules. Hackman defines norms as informal rules that are generally agreed upon and that guide group members’ behavior (Hackman, 101). B. Analysis Our group focused on participation norm --- everyone is expected to make some contribution to the group task. This does not mean everyone need participate equally, only that all members do contribute something. As we have specifically defined our task roles, members were expected to adhere and comply with the responsibilities and tasks identified. In this regard, there is an explicit understanding that each member’s participation in the group is ensured through complying with the expectations defined by the task roles. Further, one member can suggest or recommend other ideas and concepts deemed necessary to improve group activities or methods to achieve group goals. The solicitation of regular feedback is expected as a way of participation so that we would be exposed to being made more aware of different points of views from the members and of ideas from various perspectives. C. Evaluation The idea that participation is expected, though not in equal amount could actually be perceived by other members (especially those who contributed more in terms of effort and time) as unfair. To resolve this potential problem, our group had an understanding that aside from the responsibilities that we agreed and divided as equally as possible, participation could not be expected to be equal because one could suggest more or have more ideas and concepts over and above what we have agreed upon. So, whatever is perceived to improve group work and the accomplishment of goals is considered a plus factor and a welcome concern. Maintenance Norm A. Description Our group has acknowledged that the maintenance norm is preventing diffuseness, where people should realize how important it is to get along with one another, and hence should be willing to help people cooperate in solving a task, as well as solving the task itself. We have agreed that each member, despite the differentiation in roles, should focus on group building that would lead the group toward positive member interaction and interpersonal behavior. B. Analysis The strategy in avoiding diffuseness is actually through goal setting. Goals are the main justification for the group’s existence. Initially, our group found goal setting to be somewhat tenuous and vague; but as we learned to affirm our sincerity and purposefulness in our formation, we became firm and begun to accept the need to motivate each other to work towards the group goals. C. Evaluation In sum, as we go along through activities and interactions, we always remind ourselves what we want to achieve in that particular meeting or activity. It gives us direction and focus. And them, we redefine our task norms and roles to ensure that we are on the right tract and that our responsibilities are being undertaken, as originally defined. Conclusion The small group evaluation presented an examination of the roles and norms that existed in our permanent group in which I had participated. Specific examples of task oriented role, maintenance oriented role, norm and socioemotional role from Myers and Anderson’s “The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication” were discussed, analyzed and evaluated that enhanced one’s understanding and appreciation of the group in terms of goals, norms and roles, instrumental in the successful attainment of identified objectives. Works Cited Hackman, J.R. “Group Influences on Individuals.” Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Rand McNally, Chicago. 1976. Print. Martires, Concepcion R. and Fule, Galileo S. Management of Human Behavior in Organizations. National Bookstore, Philippines. 2000. Print. Myers, Scott A. and Anderson, Carolyn M. The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication. Sage Publications. 2008. Print. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Small group evaluation paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/sociology/1419060-small-group-evaluation-paper
(Small Group Evaluation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
https://studentshare.org/sociology/1419060-small-group-evaluation-paper.
“Small Group Evaluation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1419060-small-group-evaluation-paper.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Small group evaluation paper

Assessment Plan

Students enrolled in this course will have to participate in a debate session, write a research paper, sit for written tests, and sit for a final examination.... Students will also be required to write a research paper in groups of five students.... The research question will be provided by the instructor, and students will have a maximum of five weeks to complete the research paper.... The research paper will aim at evaluating the ability to analyze and evaluate a particular problem....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Small Group Dynamics

hellip; To be a small group, the members must also share some common goal toward which they are willing to work and make an attempt to articulate and accomplish through the process of communication.... 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 the public.... 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....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

Where the Government of the United States of America Invoked Its Humanitarian Laws

This paper will seek to identify humanitarian parole as the policy for review identifies the background of the policy, justifying the importance of its review, ands it identifies the issues that emerge from the policy. This paper provides instances where the government of the… The methods of carrying out the review are discussed in this paper and the challenges of collecting data and preparing a final report on humanitarian policy.... The The paper outlines the reason why a person should fund this review and its importance for policy makers....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Interpersonal and Small Group Communication

The paper "Interpersonal and small group Communication" highlights what our group of ten members was able to put to practice.... The group having been founded on the principles of communication in small groups with each member knowing all technicalities of a small group exceeded expectations.... The paper details a group project carried out to illustrate the theories and principles of small group communication as discussed in the course.... Good leadership techniques such as active participation and leaving the members to come up with topics and issues to be discussed by the group also contributed to building my credibility and authority in the group (Sunwolf & Selbold, 395-431)....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

Mental Health Anxiety - Health Promotion Program

The target population will be African American girls.... The particular objective of this health promotion program will be to reduce the rate of anxiety among… The study area will be the City of Everett Public School System.... 3 Anxiety is a mental disease that is experienced psychologically and comprises of feelings of terror, depersonalization, fear and emotional worries....
14 Pages (3500 words) Research Paper

Smoking Cessation Programs: An Economic Evaluation

The author of the paper titled "Smoking Cessation Programs: An Economic Evaluation" briefly reviews the issue of healthcare economics and then applies that information to smoking cessation as an economically based study with the cost-efficient outcomes.... The size of the pool of participants coupled with the disease states created by this habit creates large savings for only turning small numbers away from smoking....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

An Evaluation of Support Services for Young People

This paper "An Evaluation of Support Services for Young People" seeks to discuss and explore government initiatives with regard to the provision of support services to young people and assess their implications on the youth.... nbsp;For the purpose of this study, the term young people refer to individuals between the ages group of 13 – 19 years.... This age group is selected on the basis of the definition provided by the government (DCSF, 2010)....
13 Pages (3250 words) Research Paper

Evaluation Plan on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Australian Universities

… The paper "Evaluation Plan on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Australian Universities " is an excellent example of a term paper on social science.... nbsp;This paper is an evaluation proposal that evaluates the program of eliminating racial discrimination in Australian schools, with reference to Deakin University.... nbsp; The paper "Evaluation Plan on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Australian Universities " is an excellent example of a term paper on social science....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us