Perceptions of task and social relationships in groups: exploring the effects of cognitive complexity on network accuracy, centrality, and structuration

Dobosh, Melissa

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/50595 Copy

Description

Title

Perceptions of task and social relationships in groups: exploring the effects of cognitive complexity on network accuracy, centrality, and structuration

Author(s)

Dobosh, Melissa

Issue Date

2014-09-16

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Poole, Marshall S.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Poole, Marshall S.

Committee Member(s)

• Lammers, John C.
• Knobloch, Leanne K.
• Contractor, Noshir S.

Department of Study

Communication

Discipline

Communication

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• group communication
• networks
• cognitive complexity
• cognitive social structures
• friendship
• task

Abstract

Given that studying both task and social relationships between and among group members is an inherently complex web, a network lens emerges as a valuable tool in understanding and exploring the social side of groups. Using a model of network structuration, perceptions of group connections highlight underlying and enduring interaction patterns that shape how group members communicate with one another. In other words, communication networks are structures of perceived communication relationships that guide communication, but then are in turn shaped by that communication. In order to better understand these group perceptions and network structuration, cognitive complexity, a variable tied to the development of an individual’s interpersonal construct system, emerged as a way to make sense out of these perceptions. Cognitive complexity was proposed a mediating variable that impacted how accurately individuals perceive their communication networks, as well as shaped how central one was perceived to be in their communication networks. Leadership teams of social organizations where members worked closely together to accomplish task goals, while simultaneously balancing social relationships, were explored. While hypotheses directly linking cognitive complexity to both network accuracy and centrality were not supported, it emerges that satisfaction and organizational identity are playing larger role in the relationship between perceptions, accuracy, and centrality. Additionally, one’s perceived centrality in one network appeared to affect different types of communication relationships and the network structuration process.

Graduation Semester

2014-08

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50595

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Melissa Dobosh

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