Question

Instructions: The following scenario contains situations and interactions present in a small group setting. Proceed to read it carefully while keeping in mind the information presented in chapters 9 and 10. Once you are done, answer the questions presented after the reading. Scenario 1 The teacher from the research methods class has assigned a work that needs to be completed in groups. The groups were formed at random and the class is a hybrid class (they meet 2 days a week in the classroom and the rest of the work is done online) Ramon was assigned to work with 3 other class mates, Lisa, Maria and Hakeem. They need to organize a meeting schedule and establish how they are going to communicate so they can have the assignment together in in about 4 days. For Hakeem English is not his first language, neither it is for Ramon, so they keep their e-mails short, which sometimes makes it hard for the other members to decode their messages. They have agreed to communicate via email but Maria has already made clear that she can only check her e-mail account after 5:00 pm, because those are the times she has internet access while she is at work. Ramon, who is very old fashioned, feels that one of the boys should be the leader of the group because he believes boys are more responsible and better at leading and communicating in public than girls. After “meeting” for the first time via e-mail, Maria and Ramon cannot agree on who is going to be the leader of the group and report to the teacher on the progress of the work, so Hakeem has gone behind their backs and he has already sent the first progress report to the teacher without letting his classmates know. In the end, they take it to a vote it is agreed that Ramon will be the leader. Lisa, noticing all the conflict, tries to manage her part of the work and have it ready, she does not address the conflict directly in the e-mails but she passes on indirect messages that she expects her classmates to interpret as requests for the conflict to end. She thinks that in the end, the important thing here is to complete the work and obtain a good grade. Using the information above answer the following questions (in paragraph form) Don’t forget to provide feedback to your classmates on their answers. What principles of group communication are at play in this scenario? What behaviors are the group members showing and how are those behaviors detrimental for effective communication? How does culture affect the communication processes of the group? What would you have done differently to solve culture differences and reach an agreement? How different do you believe would have been completing the tasks for the group if instead of meeting via e-mail they would have been meeting face to face in the same room? Which one of the classmates in the group is the one who communicates better?

Answer 1

1. Group communication in this case study among the embers are too poor and it is not an open communication case. So the principle of group communication here among the members are either one-way communication mode or indirect mode of communication, which results in confusion and misunderstanding among the group members.

2. The behaviour of Maria nad Ramon is conflicting in nature as both are fighting for a key position that is the leader of the group. This shows a lack of trust among the group members. Also bringing gender discrimination thought by Ramon shows his lack of understanding about a bigger community in this earth Women. Lisa's approach is somehow very conservative in nature as she is not open to the group rather communicates the idea and feelings via e-mail, which is not an appropriate platform to resolve a conflict among the group members. Hakeem is a selfish fellow who completes his assignment without the knowledge of the other group members. Hence there will no need to be a part of the group member. These all different types of behaviour by different team members can create the obstacle to finishing the project in a deadline.

3. Culture definitely affect the behaviour of the different group members. All 4 group members belong to different walk if life and culturally they are different from each other. Hence the rudimentary approach of Ramon, selfish approach of Hakeem, shy approach of Lisa and arrogant approach of Maria are reflected in the case study. As upbringing in the family, natural behaviour, not exposed to many dissimilar kinds of cultures are few reasons that communication process affects the different group members.

4. I think I would have adjusted with all types of personal differences to finish the project. Collaboration is required while delivering the result in the group. I will definitely allow Maria to the leader if I was in the place of Ramon. Will learn many communication flows without destroying the cultural norms. Try to include Hakeem and Lisa into the group a ask them to come up openly with their thoughts instead of e-mail. Will give more emphasis to classroom meeting for the 2 days than to 4 days of online communication. In the direct discussion, there is flow of unbiased communication and any conflict among the group members can resolve instantly but it is not possible in case of online mode. Also, I will take an earnest step to finish the project in time so that every member can able to achieve more grade points.  

5. I think e-mail communication is that impact against the face to face meeting to discuss about the project. E-mail contents gas a limitation and expressing a viewpoint related to project over the e-mail and presenting the same in front of the group has a different outcome in terms of result. Hence face to face communication is the best method to solve a project with less conflict and less disagreement.

6. I think Maria is the fittest candidate who can communicate with other members with fewer difficulties. As she mutually tries to sort out the issue of leadership with Ramon but fails to do so, hence her courage to resolve a deadlock situation may be considered and other two members also listened to her in due course of time. Sometimes human being considers someone as his/her ideal with a time frame.