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Group Ethos and the Communication of Social Action

University of Toledo, Toledo, OH

If an individual can possess or be possessed by some particular type of ethos, then why not a group? This article defines, and empirically supports with case studies, three modes of group ethos that are culturally available to work groups in modern organizational settings. Each mode is associated with a particular communication style. The three group ethos modes are (a) pluralistic, associated with a pragmatic style of communication; (b) social movement, which communicates via protest; and (c) administrative-technical, which manifests via a prescriptive communication style. Characteristic communication strengths, weaknesses, and management problems are associated with each mode. The ethos mode will explicitly inform group communication and rhetoric and hence can be reliably inferred by observers. Group effectiveness problems are often attributable to groups entrained by their own ethos or to clashes of groups of differing ethos. Hybridism of modes is possible and may offer advantages in effectiveness.

Key Words: group communication • social action • group ethos • ethos • pluralism • social movements • horizontal propaganda

Small Group Research, Vol. 37, No. 5, 425-458 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1046496406291964


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