Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices, 9th Edition

Known for its wealth of relevant, practical, and up-to-date information, Communicating in Small Groups provides a balance of principles and applications of group communication. With emphasis on teamwork, technology, and ethical collaboration, the 9^th edition of Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices helps readers enhance their performance in groups and teams, while also giving them insight in to why group and team members communicate as they do.

PART I FOUNDATIONS OF GROUP AND TEAM COMMUNICATION

 

CHAPTER ONE Introducing Group and Team Principles and Practices

What Is Small Group Communication?

What About Teams?

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups and Teams?

What Are the Different Types of Small Groups?

What Is Virtual Small Group Communication?

How Can You Become a Competent Small Group Communicator

The Nine Core Small Group Communication Competencies

 

CHAPTER TWO Small Group Communication Theory

The Nature of Theory and the Theory-Building Process

Theory: A Practical Approach to Group Communication

The Purpose of Communication in Small Groups: Making Sense

Theoretical Perspectives for the Study of Group and Team Communication

Describing Elements of Group and Team Communication

 

CHAPTER THREE Group Formation

Why Do People Join Groups?

Interpersonal Needs

Individual Goals

Group and Team Goals  

Establishing Mutuality of Concern

Interpersonal Attraction

Group Attraction

Homogeneity and Diversity in Groups

Group Formation over Time

Group Re-Formation

 

PART II MANAGING GROUP AND TEAM RELATIONSHIPS

 

CHAPTER FOUR Relating to Others in Groups and Teams

Roles

Norms

Status

Power

Trust

The Development of Group Relationships over Time

 

CHAPTER FIVE Improving Group Climate

Defensive and Supportive Climates

Interpersonal Confirmation and Disconfirmation

Group Cohesiveness

Communication Networks

Group Size

Group Climate and Productivity

 

CHAPTER SIX Enhancing Group and Team Communication Skills

Verbal Dynamics in the Small Group

Listening

The Importance of Nonverbal Communication in Groups

Applications of Nonverbal Communication Research to Groups and Teams

Functions of Nonverbal Cues in Groups and Teams

Interpreting Nonverbal Communication

 

CHAPTER SEVEN Managing Conflict

What Is Conflict?

Types of Conflict

Conflict and Diversity in Small Groups

Conflict-Management Styles

Collaborative Conflict Management: Principles and Skills

When People Are Not Cooperative: Dealing with Difficult Group Members

Groupthink: Conflict Avoidance

Consensus: Reaching Agreement through Communication

 

PART III MANAGING GROUP AND TEAM TASKS

 

CHAPTER EIGHT Preparing to Collaborate

Developing a Discussion Plan

Formulating Discussion Questions

Using Logic and Reasoning

Evaluating Evidence in Group Discussion

Using Critical-Analysis Skills: Avoiding Reasoning Fallacies

 

CHAPTER NINE Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Group Decision Making: Choosing among Alternatives

Group Problem Solving: Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve a Goal

Three Approaches to Group Problem Solving

Cultural Assumptions about Group Problem Solving and Decision Making

 

 

CHAPTER TEN Using Problem-Solving Techniques

An Overview of Prescriptive Problem-Solving Strategies

Finding a Balance between Group Structure and Interaction

Reflective Thinking: The Traditional Approach to Group Problem Solving

Question-Oriented Approaches to Problem Solving

Beyond Technique

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN Enhancing Creativity in Groups and Teams

What Is Creativity?

Why Study Creativity?

Myths about Creativity

Barriers to Group and Team Creativity

Principles of Group and Team Creativity

Techniques for Enhancing Group and Team Creativity

Brainstorming

 

CHAPTER TWELVE Leadership

What Is Leadership?

Trait Perspective: Characteristics of Effective Leaders

Functional Perspective: Group Needs and Roles

Situational Perspective: Adapting Style to Context

Transformational Leadership

Emergent Leadership in Small Groups

Leadership and Self-Deception in Organizations

Leadership Training

 

APPENDIX A Principles and Practices for Effective Meetings

Giving Meetings Structure

Becoming a Meeting Facilitator: Managing Group and Team Interaction

How to Lead Meetings

How to Participate in Meetings

Putting Principles into Practice

 

APPENDIX B Principles and Practices for Communicating to an Audience

Panel Discussions

Symposium Presentations

Forum Presentations

Planning What to Say to an Audience

Presenting Information to an Audience

 

Glossary

Notes

Credits

Index