Intragroup communication: what it is and what are its characteristics

Do you know what intragroup communication consists of? In this article we will talk about this concept: its definition, functions and the three principles that govern it. But first we will analyze the concept of group, essential to understand intragroup communication processes.

Finally, we will talk about the Johari window technique, developed by Luft and Ingram (1970) and used in companies to analyze intragroup (internal) communication that occurs within a team of job.

• Related article: "What is social psychology?"

group elements

In order to fully understand the concept of intragroup communication, we believe it is necessary to first know what is meant by as a group, since intragroup communication, as we will see, is what occurs within (or within) a cluster.

In the context of social and group psychology, we find multiple definitions of group. We have selected, for being quite complete, one of Mc David and Harari. These authors maintain that a group is "an organized system of two or more individuals who carry out perform some function, role relations between members and a set of rules that regulate the function".

Besides, the group encompasses different individual behaviors, which, although they are not homogenized in intragroup interaction (through intragroup communication), can be perceived as part of an entity (the group).

essential factors

But, what factors determine the constitution of a group? According to one author, Shaw, for a group of subjects to form a group, these three characteristics must exist (not all authors agree):

1. common fate

This means that all its members go through similar experiences, and who have the same common goal.

2. Likeness

Group members are similar in observable appearance.

3. Proximity

This feature has to do with the specific spaces shared by group members, and that facilitate the fact of considering this group as a unit.

• You may be interested in: "Proxemics: what it is and how it helps us understand spaces"

Intragroup communication: what is it?

Before continuing, let's define the concept of intragroup communication. intragroup communication is that communication that occurs between a group of people belonging to the same group. It encompasses all those interactions that take place within a group that is united by one or more objectives or common interests.

In other words, intragroup communication includes all the communicative exchanges that occur between the different members that make up the same group. It encompasses behaviors and behaviors, conversations, attitudes, beliefs, etc. (everything that is shared in the group for some purpose).

functions

What role does intragroup communication play in a group? Mostly, offers it a certain hierarchical and organizational structure. In addition, it also provides the group with the compatibility required so that it can articulate with other groups.

This second function is developed thanks to the communication or development network, a network of form that allows groups to communicate with each other, that is, to exchange information and knowledge.

Intragroup communication that occurs within groups can be formal or informal, and the two types of communication allow the group to mature, grow, nurture and, ultimately, consolidate as such. Of course, formal and informal exchanges vary in terms of their characteristics, logically.

Principles of intragroup communication

We can talk about up to three principles that govern intragroup communication (which can also be applied to intergroup communication, that which occurs between groups):

1. Principle of congruence

This principle of intragroup communication refers to an open attitude towards the other when expressing our thoughts and feelings.

2. Principle of recognition

The principle of recognition implies an attitude of listening (and even "gazing") towards the other, stripping ourselves of all prejudice and stereotype and always avoiding prejudging or disqualifying behaviors, thoughts or feelings of the other for the mere fact of not agreeing with them.

3. principle of empathy

The third principle of intragroup (and intergroup) communication has to do with a benevolent attitude that allows us to delve into the thoughts and feelings of the other, without denying our own identity.

In addition, it also entails recognizing that the thoughts and feelings of the other are unique, and are the only way for us to establish a relationship of sympathy or compassion with him.

Internal communication technique in companies

This technique, developed by Luft and Ingram (1970) is called "The Johari window", and its mission is to analyze intragroup communication in work teams. To apply it, we must imagine that each person has an imaginary window, called the Johari window.

This window allows everyone to communicate with the rest of the team, and each window indicates the degree of communication that exists between that person and the rest of the group or team members.

Areas in intragroup communication

The authors of this technique propose up to four areas that are configured within intragroup communication, and that They constitute the basis of the Johari window technique to analyze this type of communication in work teams..

1. Free area

It is the area where all the aspects that we know about oneself are located, aspects that others also know. They are usually things that we can talk about normally, that do not cause major problems.

This area It is usually very limited in new work teams, so there is no free and sincere communication.

2. blind area

In this area are located the aspects that others see and know about us, but that we do not see or do not see with the naked eye. we perceive (for example, excessive sincerity, lack of tact, small behaviors that can hurt or annoy others, etc.).

3. hidden area

It is the area where everything we know about ourselves is found, but that we refuse to reveal, because they are personal issues for us, intimate or that we simply do not want to explain (out of fear, shame, suspicion of our privacy, etc.).

4. unknown area

Finally, in the fourth area of ​​intragroup communication proposed by Luft and Ingram, we find all those aspects that neither we nor the rest of the people (in this case, the rest of the work team) know (or are not aware of it).

They are aspects (behaviors, motivations...) that can be known by people outside the team, and that could even become part of one of the above areas.

Evolution of the four areas and intragroup communication

Continuing with the Johari window technique, as the group (in this case, the work team) evolves and matures, so does its intra-group communication. This translates into an increase in the first area (free area), because the trust between the members gradually increases and more conversations, more confessions, etc. take place. For this reason, people gradually tend to hide less things and reveal more information about themselves.

So, when information is crossed between the hidden area and the free area, this is called self-opening (that is, when we are revealing "hidden" information about ourselves, leaving it "free").

For its part, the second area, the blind area, is the one that takes the longest to reduce its size, since this It implies calling someone's attention for a certain attitude or behavior that she has had and that has not affected us. liked.

Normally these are behaviors that interfere with the proper functioning of a work team. Bringing such behaviors out into the open is called effective feedback.

Objective of the work team

In relation to the intra-group communication of the work teams, and referring to the aforementioned areas, the objective of these teams is that little by little the free area increases, and possible taboos, secrecy or lack of trust in the group are diminished (and even eliminated).