- a.Give the definition of "Group" in your own words.
A group is a collection of complex individuals with a specific common goal and a common sense of belonging and an interactive relationship.
- b.Discribe the detailed characterictics of the groups.
Here are the ten characteristics of the groups :
1、Interdependence：The mutual dependence of group members on one another.
2、Common Goal：The driving force that brings people together to form is a common goal.
3、Group Personality：When people come together in a group, they form a collective identity that becomes the group personality.
4、Commitment：Commitment is the desire of group members to work together to complete their task to the satisfaction of the entire group.
5、Cohesiveness：Cohesiveness, an extension of commitment, is the attraction that group members feel for each other and their willingness to stick together.
6、Group Conflict：The truth of the matter is that whenever people come together in any communicative context there is bound to be conflict of some sort.
7、Social Facilitation：The tendency for a person to release energy that would not be released if the individual were acting alone is called social facilitation.
8、Gender Differences：Research shows that groups consisting of both men and women are more likely to be dominated by men talking than by women talking.
9、Group Size：Group size is the number of people forming a group. The larger group, the greater the variety of skills and information possessed by its members.
10、Norms：Norms are the expected and shared ways in which group members behave.- C.How to make the group members get into a positive participation during the group communication?
Participating in group communication should be group-centered rather than self-centered. Here are the group –centered behavior: Relevance; Relatedness; Timeliness; Sufficient Length; Clarity; Informativeness; Openness to evaluation; Provocativeness. In addition, we should avoid these self-centered behaviors: Being aggressive; Blocking ; Recognition seeking; Self-confessing; Acting the Buffoon; Dominating; Help-seeking; Withdrawing.