Framing Disaster Communication as Group Communication

The skills to communicate in disaster situations require group interaction. Thus, assignments will be carried out in small groups throughout the course, and the course content will include strategies for working in groups within organizations, such as developing a disaster communication plan, and outside organizations, such as working between agencies and with volunteer groups to prepare for disasters. Group communication is defined as social interaction between two or more people who influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The roles of each group member, the rules by which they operate, and the relations which form among members all affect the kind of influence that occurs. Thus, framing disaster communication as group communication emphasizes roles, rules, and relations.