PART I. THE GROUP AS A SYSTEM

1. Introduction to Group Communication

Introduction

What’s a Group?

How Do Groups Communicate?

What Do Groups Do?

Think About It . . . Reflecting and Projecting

Checklist

2. Communicating within Groups

Introducing a Micro-System Perspective

Verbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication

The Listening Process

Group Communication Climate

3. Structuring the Group System

Group Member Roles

Group Norms

Communication Networks

Think About It . . . Comparing Networks

The Group’s Impact on the Individual

4. The Environmental Context of Groups

A Macro-Systems Perspective

Expectations and Dependencies

Putting the Pieces Together: Group Structure, Group Goal, and Group Identity

The Group’s Environment

Reacting to the Group’s Environment

The Group’s Charge

Final Output

Systems Theory as a Foundation for Learning about Groups

5. Types of Groups and Group Activities

Types of Groups

Types of Group Tasks and Activities

Task Characteristics

Task and Activity Constraints

Think About It . . . Confronting Task Constraints

Task and Activity Outcomes

6. The Individual in the Group

Group Assessment Technique: How Important Are Communication Skills?

Your Group Interaction Style

Informal Interaction

Putting the Pieces Together: Interdependence and Group Goal

Maintaining Identity and Independence

7. Communicating to Build Relationships in Your Group

Your Relationship to Others—Dependence

Getting Along and Working With Others—Interdependence

Power Relationships

Gender Influences in Groups

Cultural Diversity in Groups

PART II. MEETING GROUP CHALLENGES

8. Using Groups to Make Decisions and Solve Problems

Using the Strength of the Group in Solving Problems

Putting the Pieces Together: Group Goal and Interdependence

Using Decision Procedures

Comparing Procedures

Technology Assistance for Group Decision Making

Decision Making Effectiveness

Building Analytical Skills: Was Your Decision Effective?

9. Theoretical Lessons for Group Decision Making

Group Decision Principles

Subgroups in the Decision Making Process

Think About It . . . Subgroups: Agony or Ecstasy?

Advice from Functional Theory

What Creates Influence in Decision Making?

Why Do Groups Make Faulty Decisions?

Implementing Decisions

Monitoring and Evaluating Decision Outcomes

Putting the Pieces Together: Group Goal, Group Structure, and Group Identity

10. Leadership in Groups

Defining Leadership

How Do You Become Leader?

Universal Approaches to Leadership

Contingency Approaches to Leadership

Criticisms of Early Leadership Approaches

Transformational Leadership

Communication Competency Approach to Leadership

Multiple Leaders

Does a Group Always Need a Leader?

Group Assessment Technique: Can You Lead This Group?

11. Managing Conflicts in Groups

Defining Conflict

Types and Sources of Conflict

Conflict Management Strategies

Balancing Conflict and Problem Solving

Building Analytical Skills: Can You Resolve the Conflict without Shutting Down Communication?

Conflict and Cultural Differences

Minimizing Ineffective Conflict in Your Group

Group Assessment Technique: Taking Office Conflict Home

PART III. DEVELOPING AND FACILITATING YOUR GROUP

12. Issues of Group Development and Evolution

Where Did This Group Come From?

Group Development

Membership Changes in Groups

How Groups End

Building Analytical Skills: Reflecting and Remembering

13. Meeting Management and Group Facilitation

Formal Meeting Planning

Group Facilitation

Building a Team

Empowering the Group

Developing a Group Charter and Code of Conduct

Ethical Group Membership

14. Making Observations and Giving Feedback

Why Do Groups Need Feedback?

Message Feedback to Group Members

Types of Feedback

Levels of Feedback

Questionnaires and Surveys As Feedback

Other Feedback Techniques

Principles for Designing a Group Feedback System

In each chapter:

Summary

Key Terms

Discussion Questions and Exercises

Glossary

References

Author and Subject Index