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COM 520, Spring 2007 – Reading Guide Questions for February 26

For Burtis & Turman, Ch. 3:

1. p. 46: What are the seven features of systems they identify in the first paragraph?  How does each operate in groups you’ve belonged to?

2. pp. 47-55: What do they mean by supragroup pitfalls?  For each of the nine supragroup pitfalls they identify, please define the pitfall, explain the implications of the pitfall the authors suggest, and provide an example of the pitfall from groups you’ve belonged to.

3. pp. 55-61: What are the three criteria Hirokawa offers for deciding whether a group is the best way to solve a problem?  For each of the six tasks the authors identify as where a group isn’t the right way to go (each of which they frame as a pitfall), explain the implications of the task/pitfall the authors identify and provide an example of the task/pitfall from groups you’ve belonged to.

4. Look at Table 3.4 on p. 64.  Where do you see elements of Hirokawa’s functional perspective here?  Of Putnam’s bona fide perspective?  Of the other theories we discussed in the first part of the course?  How does this chart highlight the centrality of communication in group process?


For Burtis & Turman, Ch. 4:

1. pp. 55-61: What do they identify as ideal group size?  What are their arguments against groups being too large?  Too small? Odd v. even number of group members?  How have these issues played out in groups you’ve been part of?

2. pp. 68-70: What are the four types of “personal resources “ they suggest group members need?  For each, what implications do the authors suggest for members not having this resource?  How have these issues played out in groups you’ve been part of?

3. pp. 70-76: What do they mean by negative assembly effects?  What are the three trait-based pitfalls they identify for groups?  For each, what are ways they suggest the pitfall might play out in a group?  What suggestions do they provide for overcoming this pitfall?  How has this pitfall played out in groups you’ve been part of?

4. pp. 76-79: What are the four orientation-based pitfalls they identify for groups?  For each, what are ways they suggest the pitfall might play out in a group?  What suggestions do they provide for overcoming this pitfall?  How has this pitfall played out in groups you’ve been part of?

5. pp. 80-83: What are the three style-based pitfalls they identify for groups?  For each, what are ways they suggest the pitfall might play out in a group?  What suggestions do they provide for overcoming this pitfall?  How has this pitfall played out in groups you’ve been part of?

6. pp. 83-86: What are the three circumstance-based pitfalls they identify for groups?  For each, what are ways they suggest the pitfall might play out in a group?  What suggestions do they provide for overcoming this pitfall?  How has this pitfall played out in groups you’ve been part of?

7. pp. 83-86: What are the general caveats they offer regarding all of these pitfalls?  What is the framework they suggest for dealing with these pitfalls?  How does it modify the functional perspective?  How does it implicate the notion of multiple functions (or goals of groups) from way back on pp. 13-15?

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Last Updated: 20 February 2007
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