Communicating in Small Groups : Principles and Practices

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Preface   

 

Acknowledgments  

 

PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF GROUP AND TEAM COMMUNICATION  

 

CHAPTER ONE: Introducing Group and Team Principles and Practices 

 

What Is Small Group Communication?   

What is Team Communication?   

Theory into Practice: How to Become a Competent Team Member   

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

Communicating in Different Types of Groups   

Communicating in Virtual Groups and Teams   

How Can You Become a Competent Small Group Communicator?   

The Nine Core Small Group Communication Competencies   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

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   

Socializing New Group Members

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

PART II: MANAGING GROUP AND TEAM RELATIONSHIPS   

 

CHAPTER FOUR: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER FIVE: Relating to Others in Groups and Teams   

 

Roles   

Norms   

Status   

Power   

Trust   

The Development of Group Relationships over Time   

Culture   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER SIX: Improving Group Climate   

 

Defensive and Supportive Climates   

Interpersonal Confirmation and Disconfirmation   

Group Cohesiveness   

Communication Networks   

Group Size   

Group Climate and Productivity   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER SEVEN: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER EIGHT: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

PART III: MANAGING GROUP AND TEAM TASKS   

 

CHAPTER NINE: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER TEN: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice   

 

CHAPTER TWELVE: 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   

Study Guide: Putting Group Principles into Practice       

 

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 Theory into Practice: How to Make a Meeting Better When You’re Not the Meeting Leader   

Study Guide: Putting Group 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