COMM-2500 Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: The Techniques
28 Aug 2016
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A great deal of research shows that if members of a group work well together, they can usually resolve a problem better than a single person. As its name implies, a small group has a limited number of members. Most experts set the maximum number at seven or eight; some go as high as twelve. The important point is that the group must be small enough to allow free discussion among all members. In small-group communication, all participants are potentially speakers and listeners. Members of a small group assemble for a specific purpose. A problem-solving small group is formed to solve a particular problem. Such groups exist in every area of life. Although speaking in a small group is not the same as public speaking, it involves similar skills. Members of a small group influence one another through communication. We have said that small groups often make better decisions than do individuals.
