In the decision-making process, group communication helps in maintaining:

CONCEPT

In functional approaches to group decision-making, communication serves both task functions and group-maintenance functions.

Task functions organize analysis and choice, while group-maintenance functions regulate relationships, tension, cohesion, and members’ emotional needs so the group can keep working effectively.

APPLICATION

During collective decision-making, discussion, listening, encouragement, and conflict management help restore balance when task disagreement disturbs the group’s interpersonal climate.

CONTRAST

• Status of top management concerns formal rank and authority in an organizational hierarchy.

• Policy deviation concerns departure from an established rule or procedure.

• Ethnic prejudice concerns generalized attitudes toward people based on ethnicity.

• Equilibrium related to socio-emotional concerns is the group-maintenance balance of cohesion, tension, relationships, and affective needs within a group.

RESULT

Therefore, group communication helps maintain equilibrium related to socio-emotional concerns.