CMN 213 Exam 1 UIUC
Small Group Definition - Answer -a small group of people who share a common purpose, who feel a
sense of belonging to the group, and who exert influence on one another.
3-12 people
Team Definition - Answer -a coordinated group of individuals organized to work together to achieve a
specific, common goal
Goals: Group v Team - Answer -G: General Terms
T: Clear, Elevating
Roles/Responsibilities: Group v Team - Answer -G: Not always explicitly defined or developed
T: Explicitly developed and discussed
Rules: Group v Team - Answer -G: Evolve according to the needs of the group
T: Clearly discussed and developed
, Methods: Group v Team - Answer -G: Divided Among Group Members
T: Explicitly discuss how to coordinate efforts/work together
Purpose of Theory (non-class definition) - Answer -To predict the prevalence of a particular outcome.
Then to explain and understand why a specific relationship exists
Purpose of Theory (class definition) - Answer -Process (explain group and team phenomena) and
method (how-to approaches)
Functions of Theory - Answer -Organize phenomena
Extend human knowledge and understanding
Stimulate thinking and research
Anticipate future events
Systems Theory - Answer -A group is an open system of interdependent elements, a combination of
input, process, and input
Environmental factors and context considered
Group = system
[ Input -> process -> output ] model
Composed of interdependent variables
Important concepts
Important Concepts in Systems Theory - Answer -Synergy (whole is greater than sum of its parts)
Entropy (measure of randomness, systems tend to decay)
Small Group Definition - Answer -a small group of people who share a common purpose, who feel a
sense of belonging to the group, and who exert influence on one another.
3-12 people
Team Definition - Answer -a coordinated group of individuals organized to work together to achieve a
specific, common goal
Goals: Group v Team - Answer -G: General Terms
T: Clear, Elevating
Roles/Responsibilities: Group v Team - Answer -G: Not always explicitly defined or developed
T: Explicitly developed and discussed
Rules: Group v Team - Answer -G: Evolve according to the needs of the group
T: Clearly discussed and developed
, Methods: Group v Team - Answer -G: Divided Among Group Members
T: Explicitly discuss how to coordinate efforts/work together
Purpose of Theory (non-class definition) - Answer -To predict the prevalence of a particular outcome.
Then to explain and understand why a specific relationship exists
Purpose of Theory (class definition) - Answer -Process (explain group and team phenomena) and
method (how-to approaches)
Functions of Theory - Answer -Organize phenomena
Extend human knowledge and understanding
Stimulate thinking and research
Anticipate future events
Systems Theory - Answer -A group is an open system of interdependent elements, a combination of
input, process, and input
Environmental factors and context considered
Group = system
[ Input -> process -> output ] model
Composed of interdependent variables
Important concepts
Important Concepts in Systems Theory - Answer -Synergy (whole is greater than sum of its parts)
Entropy (measure of randomness, systems tend to decay)
