Small Group and Team Communication - 4th edition

1. Small Groups: Power, Definition, and Attraction.

The Power of Groups.
Defining Small Group Communication.
Why Join a Group?
Characteristics of Small Groups.
Characteristics of Small Group Communication.
Types of Small Groups.
Groups in Organizations.

2. Groups as Systems of Interaction.

Understanding Small Group Success.
Communication in Small Groups.
A Systems Approach to Small Group Communication.

3. Norms, Roles, Cohesiveness, and Groupthink.

Norms.
Roles.
Cohesiveness.
Groupthink.

4. Four Phases of Group Development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing.

Forming: Hello, Orientation, and Inclusion.
Storming: Conflict in Groups.
Norming: Emergence as a Group.
Performing: Making Decisions and Solving Problems.
Terminating.
Usefulness of the Phase Model.
Overriding Influences.

5. Diversity in Groups: The Strength of Different Perspectives.

Defining Diversity and Its Place in Small Groups.
Assumptions and Stereotyping.
Communication Contexts.
Diversity in Small Groups and Teams.
Making Diverse Groups Work.

6. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication.

Functions of Verbal Communication.
Structures of Meaning in Verbal Communication.
Nonverbal Communication.

7. Listening and Feedback: The Other Half of Communication.

Motivation.
The Four Components of Listening.
Active Listening.
Feedback: Responding to the Message.

8. Group Evolution: Teams.

Organizations and Teams
Teams

9. Decision Making and Problem Solving.

Decision Making and Problem Solving.
DECIDE Stages of Decision Making and Problem Solving
The Patterns of Group Decision Making

10. Creativity in the Small Group Process.

What Is Creativity?
Creativity Means a New Way of Looking.
Barriers to Creativity.
Techniques for Encouraging Creativity.
Solving Problems Creatively.
A Creative Group Climate.

11. Group Process and Presentation Techniques.

Brainstorming.
Creative Decision-Making Techniques.
Problem-Solving Tools.
The RISK Procedure.
PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique).
How These Techniques are Used.
Small Group Presentational Formats.

12. Productive Conflict Management.

Defining Conflict within a Communication Context.
Patterns of Conflict Resolution.
Power in Group Conflict.
Power in Context.

13. Leadership in Small Groups.

Recognizing Leaders.
Leadership as a Function in a System.
Theories of Leadership.
Three Characteristics of Leaders.
Choosing a Leader.
Tasks of Group Leaders.
Influences on Group Leadership.
Leadership Styles.

14. Observing and Evaluating a Small Group.

Systematic Feedback.
Success and Failure.
Observer-Members Scales.
Observer Feedback Guidelines.
Individual Role Behavior.
Verbal Interaction and Content Analyses.

15. Computer Mediated Group Communication.

Understanding the Technology and Its Influence on Small Group Communication.
Influences of the Medium on Communication.
Choosing a Medium for the Effective Use of CMC.
Adopting Effective Group Communication Strategies for CMC.

Appendix: Gathering, Organizing, Processing, and Presenting Information as a Team.
Index.