Combining the most recent research findings with the practical tools students need to become productive group
members, this leading text covers secondary groups of all kinds: work groups, committees, task forces, self-directed
work teams, and other small groups whose objectives include finding solutions to problems, producing goods, and
creating policies.
Table of Contents
Part I: The Foundations of Communicating in Groups Chapter 1. The Small Groups in Everyone's Life Chapter 2. Human Communication Processes in the Small Group Context Chapter 3. The Small Group as a System Part II: Developing the Group Chapter 4. Diversity and the Effects of Culture Chapter 5. Members and their Roles Part III: Small Group Throughput Processes Chapter 6. Communication and Group Culture: Tensions, Fantasy, Socialization, Norms, and Climate Chapter 7. Leading Small Groups: Theoretical Perspectives Chapter 8. Leading Small Groups: Practical Tips Part IV: Improving Group Outputs Chapter 9. Problem Solving and Decision Making: Theoretical Perspectives Chapter 10. Problem Solving and Decision Making: Practical Tips and Techniques Chapter 11. Managing Conflict in the Small Group Part V: Group Evaluation and Observation Tools Chapter 12. Tools for Assessing and Evaluating Groups Appendix A: Preparing for Problem-Solving Discussions: Informational Resources for the Group Appendix B: Making Public Presentations of the Group's Output Glossary Author Index Subject Index
