What I found interesting in chapter 2 of the Essential Guide to Group Communication was the section titled, “Effects of Communication in Groups.” It lists a few findings of what can happen if there is apprehension in a group.
The writers were also able to back up this information with findings that communication researchers McCroskey and Richmond made when studying apprehension. They found that people with high apprehension are seen in negative ways, such as “being more nervous,” “being less task oriented and less socially attractive,” and “making less valuable contributions…” This section also stated, when compared to less apprehensive people, high apprehensive people are “less likely to have high grades in college, to be offered interviews…”
I’m generally “the quiet person“ whenever I’m in a group, but so far I haven’t experienced some of what was described, particularly having low grades. Even though I’m quiet, my grades haven’t suffered for it. And I will admit that I’m not the most sociable person amongst people, but they don’t treat me any differently than anyone else.
Actually, I find it a lot easier to work alone than in a group because it’s easier to get things done, rather than waiting for other people to finish before moving on to doing something else. Whenever I’m in a group, I would do all the work that is required, but I’ll admit that I rarely share what I do come up with. If I do, then it’s just a glimpse of what I did, rather than sharing in its entirety. That’s how it’s been for me for the past few years I’ve been at SJSU.
Although when it comes to being less able to lead, I can completely relate. I never really lead a group before, unless I’m asked to. There are those rare times when I do lead without being asked, but that would only happen if the group that I’m working with has done nothing to work with.
Since this is a communication class, I’m definitely going to work on my communication skills when working with groups.
Sorry this was such a long entry. This is what happens when you don’t talk that much. I make up for it in writing. haha :3
This was one of the topics that I considered writing about because I feel as if it related somewhat to me as well.
ReplyDeleteI tend to be very quiet during group work but I am very loud when it is not work or school related. I guess it is because I tend to work alone or with one other person. I feel as if I get things done faster and I do not have to figure out how to distribute the work equally. Last semester I had a bad group experience. I was in a group with two other people and we had to write a paper. I basically wrote 75% of the paper the other person wrote the 25% of it. This meant one of the members did not write a single word on the paper. We got an A in the end. I might as well just did the paper all by myself.