Group Dynamics An understanding of nonverbal communication and small-group ecology can be used strategically to influence group interaction and group outcomes. For example, one of our friends has been seated twice on trial juries. In each case, when the jury moved to the jury room to deliberate, our friend walked confidently to the head of the table, put his hands on the table while intently surveying the faces of his fellow jurors, and said, "Well, the first thing we need to do is to elect a foreman." He was elected unanimously in both cases. Imagine that you have been assigned to a task group with no designated leader. For a variety of reasons, you believe that you should be elected the leader. The information you've learned in this course has given you insight into how you can manage the group's impression of you and of your competence through the strategic use of nonverbal behaviors and group ecology principles.

Is it ethical for anyone to use what they know to get elected? Or does doing so amount to unfairly manipulating the group?

In this situation, what should one do?

What would be a great example and specific to this scenario.