That's Not Funny

Humor is one of my favorite means of communication, by far. My sisters and I have a unique sense of humor and we play off of each other quite nicely. Humor defined, is the ability to take advantage of inconsistencies and incongruences. Or rather use the power of verbal communication to share messages, relieve stress,integrate ideas and support group fantasies among other things. You don't have to be a comedian to make people laugh or have a sense of humor. At times humor can be a very effective tool to create relationships, ease tension between members or parties and cheer someone up. Not everyone has the same sense of humor and often times a person's mood has a lot to do with their level of seriousness. I use humor daily. I can recite movie quotes, say something normal in the most abnormal voices, and once my sisters and I start laughing we usually can't stop. In speeches humor can be used to break the ice, to make people remember you and ultimately like you. Mastering humor or humorous techniques can be very beneficial to ones personal, social and ethical life. It's a tool I'm thankful to possess and enjoy using!

Pro & Chro

Proxemics is the concept involving the space we use in order to communicate. Closely related to another term involving your personal space and the space you put between you and another person. The proximity to another item or individual plays a huge roll in small group communication. The closeness between you and another person can be identified by body language and position.
Chronemics is directly related to time management. How a group or individual responds within a given time. Groups with deadlines and successful organization rely on time to complete different tasks. Not everyone is good with time, therefore, not everyone could be successful in a group stressing chronemics.
I feel some universal rules in different cultures are the same and also very different. Especially when dealing with proxemics. In America I feel we have a good sense of personal space and we do not invade the space of others we are not close with. In Europe or Asia that does not seem to be the case, space is limited and you may be standing ridiculously close to someone you don't even know. On the subject of chronemics there is always the occasional slacker or individual who doesn't appear to own a watch and everything is on their own schedule. Those indidviduals exist in every culture though.
I have a few best friends where our proxemics don't exist, we are so close in every way possible I don't even notice the actual space between us. For chronemics, I enjoy my own personal space especially with people I don't know that well or at all. I have been to Europe and it seemed chronemics wasn't practiced, everyone was close to everyone and it worked, there's something about being there, it's like everyone enjoys everyone.

6 - 1

On the principles of nonverbal communication I feel number six is very important on the sending and receiving end.

6.) The things we notice lead to interpretation and the assignment of meaning.

What caught my attention the most was the things we "notice." Not everyone can pick up on nonverbal communication, they may be preoccupied with the vibe they're trying to send out or what they're taking in from all of their surroundings. In order for the nonverbal communication to be received, the person on the receiving end must notice it to begin the interpretation process. An example would be when you are at a bar with friends and someone approaches you that does not catch your interest. Body language is key in this position because if you do not want to give your attention to this person the direction you are facing can reveal a lot. Facing them directly opens the space for further communication but if you are facing your friends or the opposite direction it can be easier to say "have a great night" and turn away, ending the conversation. If a person does not pick up on the body language or nonverbal communication they could try to reengage or if they do notice they will most likely move on.

The second principle I found interesting is number one.

1.) Our nonverbal communication affects the quality of our relationships.

This is a really important principle and can make or break a relationship. Especially in a group setting with various people, if you like all of your group members the nonverbal communication comes naturally. If you don't like some or one of your group members there are a few key nonverbal communication tools many people engage in. For example, eye contact. If I don't want to speak with or sit with someone I usually avoid eye contact first. This really only works from a distance but acting preoccupied or talking to someone else may stall the interaction with someone you don't want to be around. These actions may emit uneasy feelings to the person you are sending them too and can lead to confrontation but if that is the vibe you are sending, the nonverbal communication was successful.

Specific Tasks

One key term and group role that I appreciate is the task-oriented role. It is associated with many roles and assists the group as a whole and individually. Creating tasks and organizing them effectively will lead to a faster more direct route to the overall groups success. The orientation may be designed in any way to cater to the groups needs. It's important to identify those needs and map out a plan to accomplish these needs. The different roles in group behaviors help the success rate of the group and overall satisfaction, the task-oriented role leads to goals and accomplishment, in my opinion, it's an important role.

Everybody 1, 2, Step!

A group observer is given the responsibility to carry out various steps that will lead to individual and group success. These guidelines include but are not limited to individual behavior, tone and location of communication, along with constructive criticism and effort.

Beginning with the: 
First step in observer feedback would be to avoid generalizations like "well done." A general response like that raises questions like "which part was well done," "who did the well done," etc. 
Number two: identifying the behavior that needs to be changed and then focusing on it. 
Three: Do not argue or debate with the group you are observing. This creates more conflict and draws the attention away from the duties of an observer.
Four: Do not micromanage the group process. For example, if you hold the groups hand guiding them throw every, single, detail or every, single part the group will become useless. Choose specific areas of improvement and address them thoroughly.
Five: Role remembrance, as an observer you are there to evaluate the group, not become a member of it. Mediate conversations, draw out emotion and clarification from the individual group members to create a positive discussion.
Six: Accentuate the positive, there are ups and downs, good and bad in every group. Focusing on just the bad can have an opposite reaction and cause more problems, therefore, giving a positive spin and starting and ending on good notes is critical to development.
Seven: Be specific, the goal is to improve, end on a strong call to action and suggestion for further improvements. Probably one of the more important steps.
Eight: Be clear and concise, it's difficult to address flaws and but being vague can give the wrong impression and cause a stall or lack of change.
Nine: Public criticism is not ideal and can easily be avoided. Instead use compliments in public and constructive criticism privately. The members will trust you more and not feel humiliated after making a mistake.
Lastly, number ten: Creating a relationship with the group and it's individual members is vital to group observer success. The members will trust you and in turn value your opinion making improvement a piece of cake. The observers job is to help, not hinder a group and do so through these ten steps!

Observe & Report

It is imperative to use a consultant or an observer for a small group because having a person outside of the group; watching group behavior may help with: problem solving, individual voice, structure, mediation or provide advice, etc. Joining a group may lead to loss of individuality and self-thought. It can also lead to dominant and submissive behavior among members and unfair positions.

An observer might focus on one or multiple aspects shown by group behavior. For example, nonverbal communication: like body language and facial expressions; or possibly verbal communication: a person’s tone of voice or chosen vocabulary and how their specific word choice comes across the other group members.

Consultants may be brought on to specifically solve an issue to design structure and position to individual group members. The success of a group relies on its members. If the members cannot get along harmoniously the group will fail. Consultants and observers can provide positive feedback along with constructive criticism. Many groups could use an outsiders perspective and seek help.

Strength in Numbers

A term that I enjoyed learning about was the Strength of Diversity.
It's a topic thoroughly discussed in many areas of school, work, and everyday life really. It's important to understand it in order to learn and grow together. The idea behind strength in diversity is allowing a group to be open to all different perspectives. It is necessary for a group to problem solve and doing so through diversity can help aid in solving the problem, it allows your mind to process new thoughts from a new vantage point. The ideas may not be the answer right away but can lead to another and another providing the group with options and  process to weight their choices and make the correct one. organization, synergy, dynamic, and an open mind help promote diversity and support it. It's important to support the group and individual needs and one of the best ways to do that is through diversity. 

Soo...

"White men of privilege" is a term referring to the idea created to give the utmost advantages placed on people within a community. It's an idea originating from early American and European societies in history. The idea supporting a norm, experienced by the white community not based on race or ethic background but expectation of life they felt everyone in society should carry out. 
This concept is founded on a norm designed by whites, not by whites and every other racial background. I do not know if I agree with it entirely... Every person creates their own standards of living and those standards can be completely the same or equally different. It does not make sense to follow a norm only created by one race. But the idea is something positive. A standard quality of life, living a life respectable to yourself and your community. People of many different backgrounds live in different areas, they experience different things, their quality of living may be better or worse than someone else's. I believe every person should value their life and others; along with respecting themselves, their surroundings and the overall human race. It should not matter what color your skin is or where your family is from. If we hold ourselves to high standards and respect each other, we can all live a life of privilege.

Get Crayola Crazy

The definition of diversity reads: a description of the reality of our national and world community that is made up of people having cultures, languages, and social customs different from our own. I feel that the generation I am apart of and those to come are so open and accepting of diversity that it would be hard not to value it. A prime example would be the opportunity to study abroad, a program that has drastically gained popularity over the past few years. Men and women of all ages want to go explore the world, try new foods, speak a new language and experience life outside of their normal surroundings. I don't see the world we live in as struggling with diversity because large parts of America have become diverse. 
In order to enhance diversity within a group would be to invite and initiate group members from outside your own culture or social customs at first. Language may come later, but the world is so exciting and filled with all different kinds of fascinating people. Get to know them! Don't make premature assumptions, you could be missing out on someone really great!
It's a group, and a group leads to friendships, shared goals and a support system. Everyone has their own way of doing things and learning something new is good for you! Enhancing diversity enhances you as a person, go for it :)

Told Ya :)

Unintended Consequences, probably my favorite term we have come across. It's my favorite because it's completely natural and exactly what the group and its members have coming. It's like Karma, you don't know when it will strike or in what form but as soon as it does, your mind is like "Ohh... got it, thanks for that." 
Not expected or planned sounds like the name of a Teen Mom episode. But that's the thing, we do things-actions without thinking or planning what the consequences may be. If a group doesn't plan the affects of their actions...things could get crazy. The smallest decision can have the biggest reaction. It's the groups duty to plan for consequences and possible aftermath of their poorly executed decisions or on the bright side, the greatest decision they've ever made together. These consequences can be great and also terrible, so in order to be a successful group, its members must be positive thinkers and think on their toes!
Speaking of being on your toes: as a nanny, you watch kids grow up on a daily basis. You become the focus of their "Why" Questions and defining inappropriate words in creative censored ways. You see the mistakes they are about to make knowing what will happen next because you've experienced the exact same thing-but it doesn't matter; they will make the same mistake because that's exactly how they will learn. 
Siblings are good at this, a personal example... No matter how mad or stupid we (my two sisters and I) may think the other one is, the second one of us is about to be in some serious trouble with our parents, my sisters will always cover me and help. And I'll do the same for them. We make a great team or group and always make the best of our consequences- intended or not!

:)

What's the Problem?

Internal constraints are those primary to the issue. Meaning they very well could be the foundation for the real problem(s) as well as acting as the limitations necessary to solve the matter.
External constraints are those directly influencing the decision-making process the group needs in order to solve the existing issue. These influences may include resources, members time, money and energy, etc.
There are a number of examples to coincide with internal and external constraints. Depending on the group and its members these constraints may be small and easy to squash or monumental and squash the group. A personal example of an internal constraint in my life would be the frustrating relationship between my sister and I. Normally we get along great but recently there have been issues stacking on top of one another and an explosion is near. The internal constraints we are facing lie within common courtesy. And the external constraints include my clothes, movies, mood, money and tolerance. The primary issue is common courtesy because I don't mind sharing and I'm easy to get along with. But when someone just takes without asking and then ruins something of mine, I tend to not be so giving. In this situation I need my sisters external constraints to kick in and take care of business to get back on smooth water. Internal and external constraints depend on all members of the group and a happy medium is where the magic happens.

Norms the Word

Group norms vary depending on the group and the issues or information flowing through the group. Their norms are like unspoken rules or guidelines the members follow. The word norm is defined by: something that is usual, typical or standard. Society lays the foundation for our norms that we later apply in small groups. Of course there are norm at SJSU. Those norms will vary from group to group because along with diverse group focuses there are culturally diverse individuals making up these groups. A norm in an Asian Studies group could be totally abnormal in a Spanish Studies Group. These individuals may communicate differently leading to different norms important to the group.

The groups that I belong to range from work, family, friends, and kids. For the most part the norms are roughly the same. My behavior doesn't change too extreme from one to the next but the needs and importance does. For work, the norms were defined in the interview. At home, I goof off with my younger sisters and friends but of course maintain a high level of respect and with the kids I babysit, the norms change depending on what family I'm with. It's fun to learn and adopt their norms ranging from no shoes in the house to four dogs and craziness.
Norms are fun, and can be whatever you and the group want.

Strange Attraction

I found the concept of Strange Attractors to be interesting when reading Chapter 2.  The text discussed the underlying influences a small group goes through when changing their communication pattern(s).  It doesn't matter what the next pattern becomes but where is stems from, which can be difficult to locate.  Allowing yourself to be a member of a group comes with responsibilities.  As a group member it is our duty to communicate through different styles, these styles are made up of the strange attractors that may influence one person directly influencing the group or it could consume the group as a whole.  Group participants recognize their communication patterns through different personality conflicts, outside sources and personal style, just to name a few.  But regardless of where these strange attractors are located, the main focus is that they change the communication style of the group, this could be for a long or short period of time. I believe the main strange attractors come in to a group individually and those reeling in the new communication method absorbed it from society.  Every day the world is improving through technology and devices we can communicate through, what is popular today probably won't be next year, it's a constant change and something new for groups to experience together.

Organized Chaos

  Entropy impacts a small group in such a way that balance is necessary for the group to effectively survive.  Groups need an equal amount of organization and chaos.  With new thoughts and energies spinning around a group it can be very easy to get off track and become stagnant or frozen.  However, if a group is not open to new ideas and is very strict that can be equally as destructive.  It's the happy medium between being over and under stimulated.  Staying on track while playing with tangent ideas can be beneficial, leading the group in a better or new direction, sparking more interest while remaining on topic.  The subject of entropy relies on feedback and open lines of communication.
  Equifinality on the other hand endorses multiple directions, systems, roads etc. and they will all lead you to the same destination.  It is a more free spirited route giving individuals multiple choices to choose from depending on which route they wish to take or that works better for them.  Equifinality ultimately means that two different people or multiple different groups may accomplish the same goal(s) in so many completely different ways.  What works for some may not work for others, therefore, they partake in a different routine and still become successful.  People learn, grow, and change at different paces and times in their life, the great thing about equifinality is that it will always be available in all different shapes and sizes for group members and individuals.

Small Group Functions

  If a small group's system functions are not properly working the group may deteriorate. Small group members depend on each other, some more than others. Depending on another person(s) can be done through: emotions, physical dependence, financial, economical, etc. but when one person depends more on the other conflicts may arise which can lead to arguments and then the downfall of the group and its members.
  I feel that I belong to several diverse small groups and the interactions vary along with the interdependence. For a long time I was the manager of a salon. I managed a small group of girls. I depended on them to carry out the training I provided them with and to do their job to the best of their ability. They depended on me to provide them with the best training and preparation to be on their own. I needed their availability and open communication to create schedules and squash any issues that came up. This system worked great because of the work environment and structure along with our open communication and reliable team members. We successfully created and maintained interdependence among each other.
  A separate group I was apart of consisted of a few girls, and for a few years we were all very close. We depended on each other for emotional support, advice, some good laughs and important life friendships. Within this small group we had individual relationships and then one together as a group relationship. This group deteriorated because some of the girls became too interdependent on the others and conflicts arose. Relationships should consist of a little give and take in my opinion. When friends take and take and take things become complicated: feelings get hurt, emotions are in full effect and create gossip. I am not one to take advantage of another person and I don't put up with it when others try to take advantage of me.
  In order to be apart of a successful small group and create a balance of interdependence I feel an equal level of respect must be present. Without the respect and awareness I feel things may get complicated and you may not be able to count on the other person while they can fully depend on you.

Lovely to Meet You!

Hi :)

I'm a Scorpio with a passion for family, friends, music, quoting movies and reading! I grew up in the Bay Area, and I love it here! I play sports, enjoy hiking and spending time with my two hilarious younger sisters! I am addicted to Chipotlé and the Shaun T Insanity workouts! I love to laugh and my guilty pleasure is watching Big Brother, I plan on winning that TV Show one season! I'm also a sucker for Harry Potter and I'm a huge hockey fan- Go Sharks! 

I'm a Communications major but have been thinking a lot about becoming ASL (American Sign Language ) Certified to become a translator. But, I love kids! And have also thought a lot about becoming an elementary school teacher! Right now I'm a full-time nanny and feel pretty lucky to be me :) thanks for reading, I'm excited to get to know all of you!

Have a great day!