Group Communication | Activities, Skills, Types & Examples – Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com
Learn the small group communication definition and study the different types of group communication with examples. Explore activities to improve communication skills in the workplace. Updated: 11/25/2021
Janelle is a tutor for Nursing and Health Administration. She has an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Middlesex College. She also has a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Nursing Administration and Leadership from Western Governors University. She currently is a practicing pediatric and geriatric nurse.
Effective Group Communication
Communication is the exchange of information between people. There is a sender who transmits the message to the receiver. There is primarily one sender, or speaker, at a time, however, there may be one or more receivers listening to the sender’s message at the same time. If there are multiple receivers in the same communication, it may fall into the category of small group communication.
Effective group communication is essential for cohesive collaboration. The definition of small group communication is the exchange of information through verbal and nonverbal communication in a group setting. A small group is usually anywhere from three to twenty people. This can be compared to a dyad conversation, which is a verbal exchange of communication between two people face-to-face. Techniques to use when speaking in a dyad conversation can be rendered in the larger group setting.
In a dyad conversation, only two people are exchanging information. Communication is easier as each person studies the other for nonverbal and verbal cues and responds appropriately. This type of communication is usually done to foster a relationship between two people.
In a smaller group setting, communication becomes more disjointed, and it is difficult to include everyone equally. However, group settings are a valuable tool that is utilized to promote collaboration. This type of communication is primarily used to brainstorm or accomplish a specific task.
Group communication is important as it reduces tension and increases satisfaction.
Small group communication is a common practice that will take place in a variety of settings. The work environment is a common location that thrives on small groups communicating effectively with one another. Similarly, academia is another location that uses small groups. In both of these settings, there may be larger groups that are broken down into smaller cohorts. To have effective communication, individuals in these groups need to communicate in a respectful, clear manner.
Types of Group Communication Cues
The two types of group communication are:
- nonverbal communication cues
- verbal communication cues
Together, these two types of communication compose the context behind a conversation.
Verbal communication is information that is exchanged through speech. This is the most obvious and direct form of communication.
Verbal communication examples include:
- a coworker that states their ideas
- a boss that expresses their expectations within the group
- an individual that says their grievances with a project
Nonverbal communication is the most important type of group communication, as it provides context to verbal communication. This type of communication is defined as the transfer of information without using spoken words.
Examples of nonverbal communication include
- body language
- facial expressions
- gestures
- eye contact
- the space a person gives another during a conversation
- touch
- tone, rate, and pitch of the individual’s voice
This example will showcase the salience of nonverbal communication: Janelle enters the room and says good morning with a smile. Her coworkers believe she is having a good day based on her pleasant greeting. The next day, Janelle enters the room and says good morning but rolls her eyes and groans. Her coworkers realize she must have had a rough morning and decide Janelle is saying the greeting using sarcasm. She uses the same verbal communication as the day before, but the nonverbal cues have been altered. These cues are key to understanding the intentions of other people in a small group setting.
