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Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making
Topical Application Paper
CATA 230: Introduction to Communication Studies
Functional_Perspective_on_Group_Decision_Making.pdf
In Introduction to Communication Studies, I was assigned this application paper on Hirokawa and Gouran's Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making. In the paper I briefly review the four functions that each group must address to come to a quality decision (problem analysis, goal setting, identification of alternatives, and evaluation of positive and negative results of such alternatives). Then, I discuss how I have seen these functions successfully (and unsuccessfully) fulfilled in my past group interactions.
This paper certainly shows how communication principles can be applied to group settings; the entire paper is based on this concept. I am able to demonstrate, through personal examples how Hirokawa and Gouran's practical steps lead to the highest quality decisions. Step-by-step, I analyze how I apply the Functional Perspective in my life, and lead the reader through the relevance of the theory. If I had the chance to do the paper over, I would elaborate more on the theory and less on my own personal examples. While I feel that the paper makes a great artifact for demonstrating theory application, it does not hold together as a well-structured, well-supported argument outside the class.
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