science

Poole's multiple sequence model

Poole's multiple sequence model is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Poole's multiple sequence model rather than just read about it. In short: Poole's multiple sequence model is a communication theory approach developed by Marshall Scott Poole in 1983. The model focuses on decision-making processes in groups, and rejects other widely held communication theories in favor of less linear decision-making processes.

Key takeaways

Poole's multiple sequence model belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Poole's multiple sequence model to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Poole's multiple sequence model from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Poole's multiple sequence model is a communication theory approach developed by Marshall Scott Poole in 1983. The model focuses on decision-making processes in groups, and rejects other widely held communication theories in favor of less linear decision-making processes. The multiple-sequence model suggests that group activity needs a changing development of communication. This model has three specific parts: developing strands, emphasison task accomplishment, and tracks of group activity

Overview Poole's multiple sequence model states that different groups make decisions through the applications of different sequences. This model rejects the idea that decision making occurs in separate, succinct phases, as other rational phase models suggest. Rather, Poole theorized that decision making occurs in clusters of linking communication. The multiple sequence model defines different contingency variables such as group composition, task structure, and conflict management approaches, which all affect group decision-making. This model consists of 36 clusters for coding group communication and four cluster-sets, such as proposal growth, conflict, socio-emotional interests, and expressions of uncertainty. By coding group decision-making processes, Poole identified a set of decision paths that are usually used by groups during decision-making processes. This theory also consists of various tracks that define different stages of interpersonal communication, problem solving, and decision making that occur in group communication. These tracks are the task track, relation track, and topic track. The task track begins with an understanding period. This is when a group decides how they will solve a problem. The relation track focuses on interpersonal relationships between group members. This track suggests that as group members spend more time together, they will form deeper relationships which aid in group communication. The topic track focuses on issues that may arise among groups which affect group communication. Task is defined in two dimensions: difficulty, which is the amount of effort required to complete the task, and coordination requirements, which is the degree to which integrated action of group members is required to complete the task. In addition to these tracks, the multiple sequence model also contains break points, which are the points within group communication at which groups shift from one task to another. Identifying breakpoints allows the researcher to identify critical incidents or turning points in group activity.

Development The development of the multiple sequence model stemmed from Poole finding stage models to be too linear based on systematized logic. Poole believed that decisions are based on many different activities and communication, this differing from the previous stage models other theorists were following. Poole's research and development of this model came from researching why the phasic model did not work. He looked at three tracks of group activity, many different breakpoints that signify changes in the development, and a model for task accomplishment.

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Poole's multiple sequence model

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Poole's multiple sequence model claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Poole's multiple sequence model before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Poole's multiple sequence model ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Poole's multiple sequence model

In research: Poole's multiple sequence model appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Poole's multiple sequence model in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Poole's multiple sequence model is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Communication theory, Human communication, Linguistic theories and hypotheses, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Poole's multiple sequence model outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Poole's multiple sequence model in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Poole's multiple sequence model means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Poole's multiple sequence model out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Poole's multiple sequence model in simple terms?

Why does Poole's multiple sequence model matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Poole's multiple sequence model?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Poole's multiple sequence model.