Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices

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