Communication in Small Groups Theory, Process, and Skills

Name: Communication in Small Groups Theory, Process, and Skills
Price: 7.86 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780495095965

ISBN-10: 0495095966

ISBN-13: 9780495095965

Edition: 7th 2009 (Revised)

Authors: John F. Cragan, David W. Wright, Chris R. Kasch, David W. Wright

List price: $199.95

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COMMUNICATION IN SMALL GROUPS: THEORY, PROCESS, SKILLS expertly balances theory and processes with practical skill development. Drawing on their extensive and varied experience as active researchers, lecturers, and communication consultants, the authors provide students with a clear and comprehensive introduction to the study of small group communication. This well-respected text effectively integrates theory, research, and practice, guiding readers to apply concepts and principles to the process of communication when working as members of a team.

Book details

List price: $199.95
Edition: 7th
Copyright year: 2009
Publisher: Wadsworth
Publication date: 9/4/2008
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 360
Size: 7.40" wide x 9.21" long x 0.55" tall
Weight: 1.518

John F. Cragan is Distinguished Professor and Assistant Chair in the Communication and Journalism Department at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, and Professor Emeritus in the School of Communication at Illinois State University, Normal, IL. He has published extensively in the areas of small group, organizational, and applied communication and has co-authored several books and scores of articles. In addition, he has consulted for numerous public and private organizations, including State Farm, 3M, and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.

Chris R. Kasch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. His current research and teaching interests lie in the area of organizational communication, including interpersonal, small group, and computer-mediated communication. In 1996, he was the first faculty member at Bradley to develop and teach courses online, including courses in Virtual Teams, Interactive Advertising, Training and Development, and Organizational Culture and Change. He has consulted for numerous public and private organizations including Caterpillar, State Farm, and various regional and national nursing associations.



Preface



Defining Small Group Communication


Why Study Small Group Communication?


Living and Working in Groups


The College Scenario


The Organizational Scenario


The Fire Department Scenario


Rationale for Studying Group Communication


Cultural Rationale


Corporate Rationale


Academic Rationale


What Is a Small Group?


Directly Observable Characteristics of a Small Group


Communication


Space


Time


Group Size


Indirectly Observable Characteristics of a Small Group


Interdependence


Norms


Structured Patterns of Talk


Goals


A Perceived Shared Identity


Types of Small Groups


Long-Standing Work Groups


Project Teams


Virtual Teams


Group Concept Recipe


Chapter Summary



Learning Core Group Communication Theories, Processes, and Skills


A Model of Small Group Communication


The Model's Decision-Making Theory, Process, Signposts, Skills


Decision-Making Theory


Decision-Making Process


Problem-Solving Signposts: Understanding and Agreement


Problem-Solving Skills


The Model's Role Theory, Process, Signposts, Skills


Role Emergence Theory


Role Emergence Process


Role Signposts: Formation


Role-Playing Skills


The Model's Interpersonal Theory, Process, Signposts, Skills


Interpersonal Theory


Relational Process


Relational Signposts: Level of Interpersonal Trust and Empathy


Relationship-Building Skills


The Model's Symbolic Theory, Process, Signposts, Skills


Symbolic Convergence Theory


Consciousness-Raising Process


Consciousness-Raising Signposts: Identification and Pride


Team-Building Skills


Establish Group Traditions


Major Group Outcomes


Productivity


Quality of Work


Consensus


Membership Satisfaction


Chapter Summary


Case Study: The FDNY's Response to the World Trade Center Attack



Structuring Problem-Solving Groups


Group Problem-Solving Road Map: A Process View


Discussion Formats


Roundtable Discussion


Symposium


Panel Discussion


Forum Types


Colloquy


Parliamentary Procedure


Specific Decision-Making Techniques


Nominal Group Discussion


Delphi Technique


Brainstorming


Electronic Brainstorming Systems


Buzz Groups


Single-Question Form


Ideal-Solution Form


Focus Group Interview


Problem-Solving Agenda Systems


Dewey's Reflective Thinking: McBurney and Hance


Ross Four-Step Agenda


Wright Ten-Step Agenda


Brilhart-Jochem Ideation Criteria


Functional Approach to Problem Solving


Chapter Summary


Case Study: The Parking Committee



Preparing for Group Problem Solving


Group Ethical Standards


Commitment to Doing Your Best


Commitment to the Group Good


Commitment to Rationality


Commitment to Fair Play


Commitment to Good Listening


Commitment to Preparation


Commitment to Ideational Conflict


Commitment to Objectivity


Commitment to Tolerance


Commitment to Social Maturity


Confront Ethical Dilemmas with a Sense of Moral Courage


Developing Topics for Problem Solving


Self and Audience Assessment


Efficiency


Analyzing Topics for Problem Solving


Questions of Fact


Questions of Value


Questions of Policy


Research Strategies for Problem Solving


Inefficiency/Information Overload


Lack of Context


Lack of Credibility


Improving Group Reasoning Skills


Types of Evidence


Tests of Facts


Tests of Opinion


Tests of Statistics


Types of Argument


Argument by Authority Assertion


Argument by Sign


Argument by Example


Argument by Cause


Structuring Discussions


Problem-Solution Organizing


Preparing Discussion Outlines


Chapter Summary


Case Study: A City Council Meeting



Managing Diversity and Relational Trust


Sociocultural Diversity


Cultural Diversity


Gender Differences


Generational Diversity


Professional Diversity


Individual Diversity


Diverse Interpersonal Needs within a Group


Diverse Personalities within a Group


Communication Skills for Managing Diversity and Relational Trust


Take Cross-Cultural Communication Training


Practice Cultural Perspective Taking


Use SYMLOG to Facilitate Effective Role Taking


Ensure Interpersonal Needs Are Met


Team Building to Enhance Cohesion in Diverse Groups


Practice the Communication Skills of an Ideal Group Member


Managing Nonverbal Messages


Environmental Dimensions


Personal Dimensions


Chapter Summary


Case Study: Diary of George Cramer



Leading Small Groups


Theories for Leading Small Groups


Designated Leader Approaches


Emergent Leader Theories


Problem-Solving Leadership Skills


Task Leadership Skills


Procedural Leadership Skills


Interpersonal Leadership Skills


Chapter Summary


Case Study: Leading a Corporate Task Force



Effective Role Performance in Small Groups


Frequently Played Roles in Small Groups


Task Leader


Social-Emotional Leader


Tension Releaser


Information Provider


Central Negative


Questioner


Silent Observer


Active Listener


Recorder


Self-Centered Follower


Communication Skills for Enhancing Effective Role Performance in Small Groups


Maintaining Role Stability


Adopting an Expanded Role


Performing the Leadership Role When Needed


Assisting in Procedure


Observing and Self-Monitoring


Maintaining Focus on One's Professional Role


Esprit de Corps


Encouraging


Avoiding the Self-Centered Follower Role


An Integrated View of Roles and Communication Skills


A Mature Problem-Solving Group


An Authoritatively Controlled Problem-Solving Group


An Uncontrolled Problem-Solving Group


The Social Problem-Solving Group


Chapter Summary


Case Study: A Decision-Making Meeting



Managing Group Conflict


Factors Influencing Group Conflict


Differences in Propensity to Take Risks


Differences in Professional Consciousness States


Negative Predispositions toward Group Work


Groupthink


Tension between Competition and Cooperation in Groups


Communication Skills for Managing Group Conflict


Task-Managing Skills


Relationship-Managing Skills


Team-Managing Skills


Conflict Resolution Negotiating Styles


Avoiding


Accommodating


Compromising


Collaborating


Competing


Chapter Summary


Case Study: Station House Number Six



Facilitating Work Groups in Organizations


Make Meetings More Effective


Master Time


Understand Meeting Rituals


Call Group Satisfaction Meetings


Hold Group Consensus Meetings


Run Routine Business Meetings


Monday Morning Meetings


Monthly Meetings


Decision-Making Meetings


Planning Meetings


Manage Information between Groups


Groups Protect Some Information


Managers Gate Keep Group Information


Group Information Is Power


Social Groups Spread Information


Groups Compete for Secret Information


Use Specialized Group Problem-Solving Methods


Six Sigma


Hedgehog Method


Crisis Decision-Making Method


Assimilate Groups into the Organizational Culture


X, Y, and Z Management Styles


Righteous, Social, and Pragmatic Organizational Visions


Maintain Groups in a Common Organizational Culture


Role of Sacred Organizational Stories


Role of Organizational Sagas


Role of the Organizational Rally


Role of In-House Publications


Role of Informal, Social Groups


Chapter Summary



Collaborating in Virtual Teams


Catalysts Fueling the Use of Virtual Teams


Teams with Geographically Dispersed Remote and Mobile Workers


Unified Communication: Convergent Technologies


Unified Communication and Medium Choice


Communication Skills for Collaborating across Time and Space


Relationship Building in Virtual Teams


Effective Role Performance in Virtual Teams


Team Building in Virtual Teams


Chapter Summary


Bibliography


Author Index


Subject Index