Communicating in Small Groups: Pearson New International Edition

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