Journal Articles

The Pros and Cons of Dyadic Side Conversations in Small Groups: The Impact of Group Norms and Task Type

---

This research explores the impact of dyadic side conversations on group norms within three- and four-person groups. The authors propose a link between dyadic communication and group norms such that the absence of dyadic communication enhances a norm of group unity, whereas its presence enhances a norm of faction-forming. In two studies, we demonstrate that the presence of dyadic communication opportunities can both help and hurt group performance and that this depends on a fit between the content of the norm and the wider social context. In negotiation tasks that benefit from group unity, the absence of dyadic communication results in a stronger focus on the group and its future as well as increased group performance. However, in problem-solving tasks that benefit from faction-forming, the mere presence of dyadic communication opportunities leads to increased openness to unique information, disagreement, and group performance.

---

Availability

No copy data

Detail Information

Series Title

Small Group Research

Call Number

-

Publisher

California : Sage Publications., 2008

Collation

-

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

10464964

Classification

-

Content Type

-

Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

Vol. 39, No. 3, June 2009. Page 372-390

Subject(s)

dyadic communication
group norms
problem solving
negotiation
The Pros and Cons of Dyadic Side Conversations

Specific Detail Info

-

Statement of Responsibility

-

Other version/related

File Attachment

Comments

---

You must be logged in to post a comment