Functional Theory

The functional theory assumes that all task groups face similar task and relational obstacles to effective decision making and that certain functions, or vital activities, are necessary to overcome these obstacles(Cheney,Christensen, Zorn, and Ganesh, 57). The functional theory explains how all groups have to go through some of the same functions. There can be problems in a group or there can be obstacles. Communication is vital for this reason so that the group as a whole can overcome the obstacles and fix the problems. Communication can have inhibiting or facilitating influence on effective group decision making either by exacerbating problems or overcoming obstacles(57).

• Assessing the problem: groups must explore thoroughly the situation they face. During the first cycle we all had to learn how to assess the information we were receiving through the handbook. We had to assess how we were going to all pass the test as a class together. We have previously taken it three times.


• Specifying goals: groups should considered a range of alternative ways to solve the problem. Our teacher got in front of the class and asked us all after the third test we failed what we were going to do to solve the problem? We all starred at her blankly not being able to think of what we could do as a class. Our goal was to pass the test as a class on the same test and to work as a team to get the goal accomplished.
  
• Identifying possible solutions: groups should consider a range of alternative way to solve the problem. As we sat in the classroom completely confused as to what she wanted us to come up with. We decided that we all need to study together so that we could learn something from each other. So we set up times the evening before class and the morning before class for people to meet and study together. Or the alternative could be that we all just continue on with what we are doing.


• Evaluating the positive and negative features of the alternative: groups should consider the pros and cons, the advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives under consideration. When evaluating the positive and negatives of the alternative we all decided that the most negative thing we could do would be to stick with what we were doing and not accomplish our goal. The positive of meeting before class is that studying together could help us hear other answers or parts of the workbook that we did not study before. The negative of our a solution we came up with is that maybe someone could not meet at either of those times.

If I had to come up with another aspect to the function theory I would add putting the final solution into action. The reason I say this is because if you think of all of these great ideas to accomplish you goal and never put them into action you may never actually meet you goal. For example to get the whole class to pass the test at the same time on the fourth test we assessed the problem, figured out our goal, identified solutions, evaluated the positive and negatives and then our teacher asked us to put it into action. We were all then again very confused because we were going to put it into action when we meet the evening or before class but she meant before then. So finally Sarah Freund stepped up and went to the front of the class and sent out an email through WebCt. This was the action that our teacher was talking about because with any goal you have in life you have to make some type of action to accomplish it.

Cheney, G, Christensen, LT, Zorn, T, & Ganesh, S. (2004). Organizational communication in an age of globalization . Prospect Heights: Waveland Press Inc..