Favorite Concept

One of my favorite concepts about this course was diversity and steryotypes.  I think that groups really work better in a diverse environment where they can exchange different ideas and viewpoints.  This can also be a struggle when people dont understand the different communication styles of different cultures.  This is also where sterotypes come in.  Many people create pre consieved ideas of how people are and this can have a negative effect on a group.  I think these two ideas are very realistic ones and something I encounter on a daily basis.  We live in a diverse state and need to be able to adapt to the different people and work environments.  People need to look past their sterotypes and not judge a "book by its cover". 

Class review

I really enjoyed this class and thought that creating a blog is the way to go!  I have never had a blog before and enjoyed writing my thoughts and reading everyone elses blogs.  I also really appreciated the chapter summaries that was provided to us on a weekly basis.  The chapter notes were really helpful on quizzes and tests.  I really liked the movie essay assignment and thought that was a clever way to apply some of the concepts we have learned.  I really dont have any suggestions to make the class better because I felt everything went really smoothly.  Actually, the one suggestion I have is to have the week end on Sunday not Saturdays... lots of people are busy with different events and activities Saturday and wait till Sunday to get their work done.  Other than that, I really enjoyed the class and would recommend it to other students. 

Group Observation

I thought the idea of group observation was good and bad.  I thought being the one observing the group gave a new perspective to see how a group operates and where the groups stronger and weaker parts are.  However I feel that in order to see if a group is running successfully you need to be apart of the group.  You experience this first hand then you know what works and what doesn't.  I felt that only observing a group for a few visits wasnt necessarily enough time to see what the group's flaws are.  Overall, I learned alot about group observation and the different things that make a group more effective. 

Collaboration vs Competition

When a group collaborates there ideas to solve a problem, it becomes a win win sitaution.  Everyone inputs what they feel would be best in the situation.  With these ideas the group picks which ones they feel would work best for their group.  In this form of communication people are more conciensus of how others feel and take the time to really listen and ackowledge the others ideas and oppinions.  In a competition environment it seems people are more ruthless.  Everyone agrees to play by the same rules and there is some team work involved.  People can get a bit out of control and with a group of competitive people, people will not be as considerate of others.  I really prefer the collaboration method to get ther job done.  It is important to get your group involved and if you can get a solution that is a combination of several ideas than I think the group will be more effective with solving the problem. 

Role playing

There were many interesting concepts from the two chapters.  Chapter 11 had a section about role playing.  According to the book, role playing allows for its participants to experience and discuss the parts of a problem.  I have had assignments where we had to put oursleves in anothers position to figure out the best way to solve a problem.  Like last weeks reading, it takes creativity to come up with characters and a plot to effectively solve a problem.  Both of these chapters were very informative and there were lots of concepts to choose from. 

Ch11 post

Chapter eleven had alot of information this week.  To answer this weeks question:  A forum is an interactive type of presentation where the speaker presents a question or problem to the audience and different audience members give their oppinion or solution.  This is a great way to keep an audience interested in the topic, especially when they need to give feedback.  A panel is a public presentation where four to eight members discuss how to solve problems.  I have experienced this format when I have sat in on our city hall meetings.  A panel has an agenda that they need to stick to and time is also kept during the meeting.  A colloquium is similar to a panel where experts from different backgrounds discuss different issues.  The audience is also involved and asks questions for the experts to discuss.  There is also a moderator who keeps the experts on track.  A symposium is a series of 2-6 short speeches that gives information on different aspects to a problem.  Befor the symposium takes place, the speakers take the time to divide the information; who gets to say what... When I am apart of group presentations I prefer the symposium style.  i have had the most experience with this form of presenting and feel that everything runs smoother when people are assigned to a topic and become experts on the information they are presenting.

Creative post 3

I thought one of the significant things about this chapter was the section on emotional barriers... something that I struggle with creativity.  Chapter 10 states that," we often seek approval of others for our ideas, rather than risk being wrong," (p.169).  I have experienced this on several different occasions.  As much as I dont want to admit it to myself, I do care what other people think.  In group projects I have been less eager to state my idea for fear that people would reject it.  To be creative, we need to be able to let go of our control on the situation and just give it a try.  If I didnt care so much about what others think than I could have presented my ideas and they may have also felt that they were good ideas.  I think that in many situations we second guess ourselves and this takes away from our creativity.  I know I am always in my head saying that this idea isnt good enough or that it wont work, instead of just giving it a try.  I think for me it is easier to be creative when I am alone on a project than having to express myself in a group environment.  I think in my case emotional barriers get the best of me rather than cultural barriers. 

cultural barriers

According to chapter 10, the different cultural barriers that can impact creativity are: requirement for conformity, expectation of practicality and efficiency, arenas for competition or cooperation, an expectation of politeness and following the rules of social order, and a trust in the power of reason and logic.  I think that all of these can definitely put restraints on creativity but the one that stands out to me the most is the requirement of conformity.  If you are forced to conform to what is considered to be normal than that takes away from people being able to express themselves and be individuals.  I have experienced this before.  For a few years I went to a Catholic school where all the children were required to wear uniforms.  I have always felt that what we wear can say alot about who we are, and gives us the freedom to express how we are feeling through style and color.  I was forced to conform to the school rules and wear the same uniform as everyone else. 

Creativity post 1

Chapter 10 states that "creativity is the result of looking at things and seeing them in new ways", (p.164).  After reading this chapter, I didn't realize that some of the things I do on a daily basis can be considered creative.  The book gives the example of trying to find a new route to work to get around the traffic... who would have thought that that is considered creative?  When I think of the ways that I really go out of my way to be creative, I immediately think of one of the things I love to do... cook.  I really enjoy cooking recipes but then maybe replacing some spices or ingredients with others to see if the taste will be better.  I also like to be creative when I decorate.  My boyfriend and I just moved in together and Ive gone a little crazy buying new decorative bowls for the kitchen and cool pictures for the living room.  There are many ways to be creative other than being an artist or a chef; as this chapter illustrates the littlest things we do can be considered as creative, we just may not realize it. 

Question # 3

I thought one of the more interesting parts of the chapter was the section on Facebook.  I am doing another project about the uses and gratifications when using Facebook and this section provided alot of good information.  Facebook is such an extraordinary thing to me because it allows for us to build or relationships with others when they are thousands of miles away.  It allows for us to keep in touch with people who we dont talk to on a regular basis.  Our facebook profiles also helps show our personalities.  We are able to share our likes and dislikes and find people with the same kinds of interests.  I really liked this section and it had alot of great information that could also help with this project. 

Chapter 15 post 1

There are many differences in the way we communicate F2F and CMC.  I personally don't have a preference in which style of communication and have had good experiences with both.  However, I do feel that the good old fashion F2F communication is very effective when you are working in a group.  Like we have discussed in previous chapters, there is more to communication than just verbal.  With F2F communication we are able to see people's body language and get a vibe about whether or not they agree something or not.  I also feel that with F2F communication you are able to get instant feedback.  If there was something that I didn't understand and we were working on a group project over the computer, it could take an hour or even a day to get a response for my question that I would have needed quicker.  With F2F conversation you get instant gratification because you have your whole group in front of you to give you the answer instantly.  I have done several projects both F2F and over the computer.  Overall I have found that groups have more complications with communication when they are online talking online than if they were in person. 

Post 3 Feedback

I thought one of the important things in communication as well as listening is feedback.  We don't realize it but we are giving feedback to people even when we aren't listening.  If someone is talking to us and we aren't keeping eye contact that can be feedback to the sender that you are not interested in what they are saying.  The book says that feedback is vital to any group communication because groups use the feedback to help improve on their mistakes.  The chapter also gave guidelines that can help someone make sure they are giving constructive feedback... some of these guidelines are to talk first about yourself and not the other person, provide both positive and negative feedback, and do not be judgemental are just a few of several tips.  This was a very important section of this chapter and I really learned alot.

Selective Attention

Selective listening is one thing that I am very familiar with.  I have the problem of sometimes blocking out certain people when they talk and not hearing anything they say.  I tend to have selective listening when I am being lectured by my parents.  It's not that what they say isn't important, it's more like they repeat themselves so many times that it is easier to just space out when they talk and nod periodically.  This goes with some professors too.  I have a bit of a pet peeve when people say things multiple times or continue to tell the same story over and over again.  I will zone back in and pay attention when I know I think the topic is interesting or has important instructions.  This is a really bad habit and can be very rude.  I don't know if there is much that I can do to change my selective attention with my family except to try to listen carefully to what they say even if I may this it is repetitive or I don't agree with it.  That's the other important thing, I should not shut my attention off just because I may have a different opinion than the other person.  I need to realize that it shows disrespect to my professors if I am in my cell phone texting rather than listening to their lecture... the last thing I want is to seem like a disrespectful student :)

Listening post 1

Listening is one of the most important components of communication, and can definitely be a challenging task for me.  I have definitely been known to zone out during class.  i am physically present and mentally I can be totally checked out.  This can be a problem especially if the professor says something important.  It's like I can hear the noise but I have no idea what he is saying.  There have been many times where I have had to ask a classmate for the information because I wasn't paying attention.  This would go under the phase on selective attention.  If the material seems important and completely relevant to me than I will tune in and take notes.  If the material is really hard to understand or seems to be boring I will not pay as close attention, which as you may know, can have bad consequences.  I enjoyed this chapter and found the information really interesting and really relate able.  Listening is where i can really struggle when communicating and I definitely need to work on it :)

Post #3

One of the most important take aways from chapter 6 was the section on group talk.  I thought it was interesting how it by saying things in a certain way you can have group members treat you in a  different way.  The book says that if you speak with authority and sound sure of what you are saying, then you will probably be named as the group leader.  Group talk is a way to solve problems and i think it is very important for people to express their opinions and be active in the group conversations.  I have had numerous experiences where I have been in groups where one person becomes the leader just because they aren't afraid to speak their opinion.  I tend to be the more quiet and reserved group member, so i usually get left with the "grunt work".  I really thought this chapter had alot of good information, especially when it comes to nonverbal communication.

Post #2 Proxemics vs chronemics

According to the book, proxemics is the study of how we use space when we communicate.  It goes figure to say that "the ways we structure, use, and are affected by space, is an important aspect of our communication"(p103).  Some people are very particular when it comes to their personal space, and don't like it when people are too close for them, especially when you don't know them.  I had a friend visit Spain for a summer.  She said she used public transportation to get around and they would stuff you in so you were practically on top of the person next to you.  Suddenly she realized that someone was trying to reach in her pocket to take her cell phone.  That kind of closeness now makes her very uncomfortable and leery of strangers, ultimately effecting how she comes across in public.  She now keeps to herself when she rides BART or any other transportation, keeping everyone at a distance.

Chronemics is the study of "the use of time" (105).  Many people, especially in a business setting have the expectation that people show up on time and come prepared.  Being late can be viewed as a sign of disrespect, and makes you look bad (especially if you are late to meet a client).  My personal experiences deal with my group of friends.  When ever we make plans to go out, we can almost always say that one of our friends is going to be late.  This really irritates everyone and can put a damper on our night.  There have been times where we couldn't be seated until our entire party had arrived because people we late.  This is definitely one of my biggest pet peeves. 

Ch 6 Post #1

The fifth and sixth principle jumped out to me the most out of the eight.  According to the book, the fifth principle states, "groups operate within the norms and expectations of the culture of which they are a part,"(99).   The book uses the example of how Americans pay attention to time and value being on time to things, and that Latin cultures may not recognize this.  I have a similar example about how Americans are very loud and tend to be very animated when they talk; changes the tone of their voice, uses dramatic hand gestures... All of this could be considered as offensive for someone who is of an Asian background where their culture seems to value quietness as a sign of respect. 

According to the book, the sixth principle states, "the things we notice, our perceptions of nonverbal cues, lead to meaning,"(p100).  A perfect example of this would be lack of eye contact when someone is having a conversation with you, or someone rolling their eyes after you make a comment.  To someone from the U.S , both of these are signs that they are uninterested or  lack of respect for the other person.  Whereas for another culture, not keeping eye contact could be a sign of respect or just the norm for the group.
I really enjoyed this chapter and found it to be very interesting.

Post #2 Observer feedback

When you are assigned the task of being the observer for a group, you have a very important task and it needs to be done properly.  This chapter gave very specific guidelines on how to report an observer's findings in a constructive way so that group members can learn and grow from their mistakes.  One of the key things they pointed out was to not use terms like "good job".  People need the feedback to be more specific so that they can understand where the group needs to fix their problems.  It is also important to remember that an observer is also the facilitator, your are meant to help people work diligently and stay on task.  What you report back to the group is meant to enhance the groups work.  There is always a time where someone may be offended by what is reported back to them and may not take constructive criticism well.  The chapter says not to argue with them but remind them that this is your opinion on how well the group is working and not to take everything so personally.  After the observer expresses their findings, they also need to be able to suggest ways to help make the situation better.  An observer has a very important role and can really be beneficial to a group.  In my opinion it should be required that every company uses an outside pair of eyes to evaluate how the group is functioning so that the company can reach it's full potential.  I really thought this chapter was very useful!

Ch14 Post #1

I really enjoyed reading this chapter and it provided me with a great visual idea of how to correctly rate how a group is doing.  This question asks "why use a consultant or an observer?"  In a group environment each person has a different type of work ethic and are each assigned to a different task. Sometimes when everyone is working together it is hard to keep the group focused and on track.  Having someone from outside of the group come in to observe how the group is working together, helps the give realize its strong points and weaker points.  Its like the old saying, sometimes you need a second pair of eyes to see if you missed something.  It may not be obvious to the group members that they are not working together in an effective way to get the job done.  By having someone evaluate their work from the outside and report back to them, it gives them insight on to what needs to be changed so that everyone can stay on task and support each other.  I thought that the chapter made a really good point that the observer should not be someone who is apart of the group,  That member could be biased towards another group member and not report back accurate information.  And if they are responsible for observing what is happening, then they obviously would not be completing any of there work.  I think that an observer is just another tool that helps small groups be successful in completing their work in a professional and orderly manner.

Ch5. Post 3

One thing I found really interesting was in the conflict management section.  In this section they addressed how different cultures handle different situations.  Now businesses are so diverse and also have ties to out of country companies, it is important to understand what is proper when it comes to potential arguments and also realize that one persons way of handling a situation may be the polar opposite of yours.  The book compares Asians and Mexicans to Americans.  Asian cultures have a very different way of handling a confrontation than Americans.  In America, we engage in debate to get to the root of a problem, in Asia the goal of any conversation is to try to keep the peace no matter what.  In America, cheating is highly frowned upon but children of Mexican background may think its OK to cheat because its a sign of cooperation.  Different conflicts or incidents are not always viewed the same way as others, and it is important to take into consideration the other person's perspective and how they may want to approach a confrontation. 

Ch 5 part 2

For years those who were considered to be successful in society typically looked like a middle aged white males.  In the past there were strict rules that would not allow for a person of another ethnicity, to hold any position of power.  It was unheard of to have women do anything other than keeping up the home and making babies.  I feel that although this idea of "white men of privilege" has left a huge impression on our society in the past, I feel that we are making all the efforts to try to diversify our government and corporate America today.  20 years ago it would have been unthinkable to have an African American president.  President Obama is just one example of how we have come so far to have all different types of people have the opportunity to get to high positions.  I do feel that status tends to starts with who you know and can also have alot to do with the amount of money you have, but there have been so many people who have worked there way up from nothing and have accomplished so many of their goals and were not white privileged men.  White people are not necessarily making up the majority of America anymore, and this gives a huge opportunity for companies to make their staff more diverse.  In the future I feel that we will see many of these old white men being phased out of their companies and different types of people taking over.

Ch 5 post 1

Living in America gives each of us the opportunity to see and experience different cultures.  Throughout my life I have gone to school and worked in environments where my peers come from all different races, ages,and ethnicities.  Even though we are all living in the same place, we forget sometimes that our pasts as well as our different cultures affect our communication.  People who do not understand others differences create or rely on stereotypes to get an idea of who the person is; for example a common stereotype is "all Asians are geniuses". Although this may be true for some people who are Asian, it is not always the case for others.  As a result to stereotypes, valuing diversity does not come easy.  We forget that having different types of people from different backgrounds can really benefit a group and offer a new perspective.  Many people feel more secure within their own cultural or gender group and don't make the effort to reach out to others.  By having a common culture, you can predict how the group will work together, and have similar belief systems on what is appropriate behavior and communication.  Although this is a comfort area, you do not get the same results as you would if you had a more diverse group.  Some suggestions to help people value diversity in the group is to really get to know each person in the group and make a real effort to see where they are coming from or what is their background.  You may find that by knowing their past you can understand their perspective.  Another suggestion and a good group building idea would to take part in retreats with the group, get to know people on a different level then at work.  Lastly, try not to let stereotypes enter the groups and effect what everyone is trying to accomplish.

Ch. 9 Blog post

Ch. 9 states the difference between External and Internal Constraints.  The book defines external constraints as " those imposed on the decision-making process, such as time, money, energy, knowledge base, or other resources that the group needs for the decision-making process and to implement a solution,"(p.146).  Money can be a huge factor in making a decision.  Lately this have been a big for me and my family as I am trying to figure out whether or not I can afford to get my own apartment.  Knowledge base in this matter also plays a role in the decision making process, because in order to be completely self reliant, I need to have the full knowledge of what it take to be self dependent and to live alone. 

The book defines internal constraints as "those integral to the problem... They may ave caused the initial problem or they may have to do with limitations on the implementation,"(p.146).  An example of an internal constraint would be trying to open your own business.  If you don't have the necessary license required by the government then you wont be able to open your business.  Location can be a problem with this type of issue.  For example, Walmart wanted to open a location in Pacifica.  Those who lived in the city opposed of this idea saying that its not the type of business they wanted.  This causes an internal constraint on Walmart as the now need to find another location to expand their business. 

Group Norms

Chapter 3 states that "group norms define the nature of the group and the relationships among the group members by expressing the collective values of the membership..."(p.41).  Basically the idea of group norms are the expectations that we have set for each member, some are obvious and deal with everyday type of manners, and others can be an actual set of rules.  San Jose State definitely have group norms.  As a student we are expected to show up to our classes on time and participate in the class.  This can be under the category as a crucial norm, because if we don't show up and participate than it is hurting our standing in the class; and this can also be considered an implicit norm, an obvious expectation that students need to meet.  This also rings true at my work.  I work in a medical office and our group norm is to treat each patient with respect, show up on time, and complete all of the daily tasks.  Families also posses group norms, where each member has a role.  The parents "bring home the bacon", the kids help with the chores.
 After being a student for several years, I was able to pick up on the norms pattern.  Every teacher I have had have all had very similar expectations so over time it is obvious what the norms are.  Other times teachers make more explicit norms that they write in a syllabus.  I have been able to adapt to these different group norms rather easily.  I have grown up learning to treat everyone with respect and how important it is to be punctual.  So far I have been able to adapt to SJSU's norms and know what the expectation is of me as apart of their group/ community. 

Ch 2 blog post # 3

Hi everyone,
So after reading chapter 2, i found that one of the most interesting things I read was how small group communication can be broken down into six different elements. 
The first element was: communication is the recognition of some behavior that is meaningful to one or more participants in the group.  This makes sense since in groups people feed off of each others personalities, for example the more outspoken person or more confident person could be the group leader in a project.  Or the vibe of the group can change if someone is harsh with their tone, making for a tense working environment.

The second element was:  meaning is based in the symbolic interpretation of another's communication.  I have often experienced this when I take what someone is saying in a literal context, maybe not realizing they are being sarcastic.  The next four steps go on to describe how people use communication as a way of figuring out the world around them and how when people communicate with each other, they are constantly learning more information (info that may not be obvious at the time).  I think that one of the most important aspects of communication, and one of the more struggling parts for me, is to really explain yourself thoroughly and not assume that people know what you are talking about.  Overall there are alot of different things that shape communication, it is not simply a verbal exchange between a group of friends but also deals with our ways of being and how we present ourselves to others.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post:)
-Jessica
(jstoltz89)

Question #2

According to the text, the defenition of entropy is disorganization, stagnation, and chaos.  In a small group whether it be amongst your family or at work/ school, there will always be a time when someone, or even everyone gets over stimulated and can't regain control of a situation.  This type of chaos can have a very negative affect on a group.  Without having an organized and structured environment for people to work, the group will not be able to work efficiently together to get the job done.  Everyone needs to fully understand what the task is and that their group members can provide them with support if needed.  If entropy occurs in the group, the group will not function the way it's meant to.

According to the text, equifinality refers to the idea that there is more than one way to do something.  In a group environment it is important to get everyones' input and help.  Throwing out ideas amongst each other is a great way to stimulate the group and get everyones' participation.  Of course there will be times when members don't agree with how people are working on the project, but as long as everyone is striving for the same outcome then it's okay to have people do their work their own way.  There is no need for people to get upset or get their feelings hurt if someone wants to take a different approach at something, and a group experiencing equifinality, should not let their differences get in the way of their work.

Ch.2 Question #1

According to the text, interdependence deals with how members of a group depend on one another.  Each member has a task of some sort that they are responsible for and other members of the group count on that individual to complete the task so that the group can grow and achieve their goals together.  If one person fails to achieve their responsibility then the whole group suffers.  In communication it seems that both interdependence and interrelationships are valued.  It is important to have group members that are self sufficient enough to be assigned to a task, do the necessary research, and report back to the group their ideas or look for input.  There needs to be a balance between being independent and working with people; nobody wants to "hold a person's hand" through a task, but everyone should be there to give advice and necessary direction.  On the flip side, no one wants to work with a person who only looks out for themselves and won't communicate with their team.

Throughout my career as a student, I have had to learn how to deal with many different types of people and their different skills.  During one class assignment, I was assigned to a group of six to make a PowerPoint presentation on global warming.  We all exchanged email addresses and checked in with each other on a daily bases to make sure everyone was on task and didn't need any help.  We never heard from one of our group member, so when it came time to present our power point, no one knew what to expect from this student.  Did they get all the necessary info? Did they make it look neat and presentable? Nobody knew the answer.  This person's independent nature and lack of communication caused unnecessary stress on everybody else.

Another example is when I was voted to be head of our groups project.  As the group "manager" it was my job to make sure everyone was understanding and completing their task.  This was a more positive experience because everyone worked very efficiently individually as well as together.  As a result our project had a nice flow to it and everyone contributed to the project equally.

Thanks for checking out my post!
-Jessica

Welcome to my blog!

Hi Everyone,
My name is Jessica or jstoltz89, and I am a senior at SJSU.  I am 21 years old and decided rather late in my college career to become a communications major.  Now that I am a communications major, I am very excited to be enrolled in this class.  Being able to communicate, whether it be in the work place or amongst friends, is a very important skill to have.  For me, one of my biggest struggles is being able to effectively express my ideas and instructions so that people can really understand what I want to try to accomplish.  From this class I would really like to learn the best strategies to communicate in a group of people.  I would also like to learn when the appropriate time is to use different types of communication.  I am really looking forward to getting started in this class and eager to read your different blog posts.  Talk to you soon!
-Jessica
(jstoltz89)