Communication in Small Groups

Chapter 7

Group ConflictExercise

Conflict Exercise• Step 1: Personal inventory (answer, score)

• Step 2: One-on-one discussion of results

• Step 3: Class discussion of results

Eight different conflict approaches

Indifferent to Understanding

the Conflict AccuratelyDesire to Understand the Conflict Accurately

Low Self-Interest

Self-Interested

Low Self-Interest

Self-Interested

Low Concern

for Others

Avoidanceor Efficient

Compromise

Crude Manipulation

CarefullyBalanced

Compromise

Strategic Exploitation

High Concern

for Others

QuickCapitulation

Strategic Competition

Reasonable Accom-

modationDeliberation

* An adapted blend of De Dreu & Carnevale (2003) with Thomas & Kilman (1986).

Cultural Differences and the Resolution of Relational Tension

Representative Survey Items

Communita

rian

Individualist

Egalitarian

Hierarchical

Collectiv

ist

60% agree: Our society would be better off if the distribution of

wealth was more equal.

35% agree: The women’s rights

movement has gone too far.

79% agree: The gov’t

should stop telling people

how to live their lives.

52% agree: It’s society’s responsibility to make sure everyone’s basic needs are met.

Distribution of Cultural Orientations in the United States

Communita

rian

Individualist

Egalitarian

Hierarchical

Communita

rian

Some of the relational tensions in small groups beyond power/status

Collectivist Impulse Individualist Impulse

commitment to the group’s members and purposes

commitment to outside activities,

groups, and people

interdependence autonomy

mutuality/community independent identity

emotional intimacy/affection

privacy/distance

judgment tolerance/respect

support/encouragement constructive criticism

exclusive boundaries inclusion of newcomers

structural stability flexibility/novelty

Relationalcommunication

and conflict

Groupcohesion

Nature of thetask and/ortask-related

conflict

Distribution offelt and wantedrelational needs

and conflictorientations

Individualist/collectivist norms

Culturally salientrelational tensions

Embedded System Framework

Journal 6 AnalysisHow strong are the personal ties among the members of your journal group?

What are the key relational dialectics in your group?

How are they managed?

Group life-histories

Family(as child)

Play group

Grade schoolclass

Self-managed

work team

Military unit

Veteranssociety

Family (as birthparent)

Religiousstudy group

Criminal gang

Socialclique

Activistgroup

Prisongang

New family(as foster

parent)Sportsteam

Heistteam

Familytherapy

Corporateboard ofdirectors

Golfingclub

Campaigncommittee

Neighborhoodassociation

Non-profittask force

Collegefraternity/sorority

Nursinghome

Addictionsupportgroup

Studycircle