Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills

by Johnson, David W.; Johnson, Frank P.

• ISBN13: 9780205308590
• ISBN10: 0205308597
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

This best-selling text is a broad, integrative overview of group dynamics. It introduces readers to the theory and research findings needed to understand how to make groups effective, and it helps build the skills required to apply that knowledge in practical situations. More than a textbook, Joining Together illustrates how this knowledge and mastery of skills creates choices, opportunities, and successes for each individual. No competing text offers the scope of coverage and the range of experiential exercises of Joining Together.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Group Dynamics	3	(46)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	3	(1)
Group Dynamics and Me	4	(1)
The Importance of Groups	5	(7)
How to Create an Effective Group	12	(4)
What Is a Group?	16	(3)
The Nature of Groups	19	(3)
Aspects of Groups	22	(1)
Creating Productive Groups	22	(3)
Group Structure	25	(5)
The Development of Groups Over Time	30	(7)
The Field of Group Dynamics	37	(5)
Kurt Lewin and the Field of Group Dynamics	42	(2)
Nature of This Book and How to Use It	44	(2)
Your Skill Level	46	(1)
Summary	47	(2)
Experiential Learning	49	(24)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	49	(1)
Procedural Learning	50	(1)
Action Theories	51	(1)
Gaining Expertise Through Experiential Learning	52	(4)
Learning Group Skills	56	(2)
Experiential Learning and Motivation	58	(1)
Role Playing	59	(2)
Learning How to Be a Participant-Observer	61	(3)
Conducting Skill-Training Exercises	64	(4)
Ethics of Experiential Learning	68	(2)
Summary	70	(3)
Group Goals, Social Interdependence, and Trust	73	(68)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	73	(1)
Introduction	74	(3)
What Is a Goal?	77	(3)
START with Goals	80	(2)
Clarity of Goals	82	(1)
Operational Goals	83	(1)
Group Goals and Level of Aspiration	84	(1)
Dealing With Hidden Agendas	85	(1)
Helping Groups Set Effective Goals	86	(11)
Group Goals and Social Interdependence Among Members	97	(6)
Outcomes of Social Interdependence	103	(10)
Reciprocal Relationships Among the Three Outcomes	113	(1)
Mediating Variables: The Basic Elements of Cooperation	114	(6)
The Evolution of Cooperation	120	(2)
Goal Structures and the Allocation of Rewards Among Group Members	122	(2)
Social Interdependence and the Real World	124	(6)
Developing and Maintaining Trust	130	(9)
Summary	139	(2)
Communication Within Groups	141	(36)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	141	(1)
Introduction and Definitions	142	(3)
Effective Interpersonal Communication	145	(11)
Communicating Information in a Problem-Solving Group	156	(1)
Patterns of Communication Among Group Members	157	(1)
Effects of Competition on Communication	158	(1)
Physical Barriers to Communication	159	(7)
Communication Within an Authority Hierarchy	166	(2)
Informal Communication Networks and Opinion Leaders	168	(1)
Effects on the Message of a One-Way Communication Procedure	169	(4)
Communication Structures and Networks	173	(1)
Seating Arrangements	174	(1)
Taking a Survey	174	(1)
Improving Communication Among Group Members	175	(2)
Leadership	177	(52)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	177	(1)
What Is Leadership?	178	(8)
Trait Theories of Leadership	186	(6)
Leadership Styles	192	(3)
Influence Theory of Leadership	195	(1)
Role Position/Approach to Leadership	196	(4)
Situational Theories of Leadership	200	(10)
Organizational Leadership	210	(7)
What If You Do Not Want to Be a Leader?	217	(10)
Summary	227	(2)
Using Power	229	(44)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	229	(2)
Introduction	231	(1)
What Is Power?	231	(2)
The Dynamic-Interdependence View of Power	233	(1)
Personal Power and Personal Growth Accomplishment	234	(3)
The Trait-Factor Approach to Power	237	(3)
The Bases of Power	240	(4)
Conflict Model of Social Influence	244	(2)
Power and Problem Solving	246	(3)
Unequal Power	249	(13)
Group Norms: Indirect Power	262	(4)
The Group Mind	266	(4)
Summary	270	(3)
Decision Making	273	(56)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	273	(1)
Making Effective Decisions	274	(3)
Individual Versus Group Decision Making	277	(12)
Methods of Decision Making	289	(8)
Factors Enhancing Group Decision Making	297	(1)
Factors Hindering Group Decision Making	297	(15)
Approaches to Decision Making	312	(1)
Considered and Thoughtful Decision Making	313	(9)
Problems with Theorizing on Decision Making	322	(5)
Summary	327	(2)
Controversy and Creativity	329	(48)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	329	(4)
Controversy and Decision Making	333	(4)
The Avoidance of Controversy	337	(10)
Outcomes of Controversy	347	(4)
Process of Controversy	351	(4)
Conditions Determining the Constructiveness of Controversy	355	(3)
Structuring Academic Controversies	358	(1)
Guidelines for Constructive Controversy	359	(2)
Being a Citizen in a Democracy	361	(1)
Summary	361	(4)
Creativity	365	(1)
Developing and Fostering Creativity	366	(3)
Open Versus Closed Belief Systems	369	(2)
Brainstorming	371	(4)
Final Note	375	(2)
Managing Conflict of Interest	377	(72)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	377	(1)
Conflict Positive Groups	378	(1)
Nature of Conflicts of Interest	379	(1)
Conflicts Can Be Destructive or Constructive	380	(3)
Conflict Strategies: What Are You Like?	383	(4)
Controlling the Occurrence of Conflicts	387	(1)
The Nature of Negotiations	388	(7)
Two Types of Negotiating	395	(5)
The Integrative Negotiating Procedure	400	(20)
Try, Try Again	420	(3)
Negotiating in Good Faith	423	(1)
Refusal Skills: This Issue Is Not Negotiable	424	(5)
Intergroup Conflict	429	(16)
Third-Party Mediation	445	(2)
Summary	447	(2)
Valuing Diversity	449	(38)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	449	(3)
Introduction	452	(1)
Diversity	453	(2)
Importance of Managing Diversity	455	(2)
The Value of Diversity	457	(5)
Barriers to Interacting with Diverse Peers	462	(10)
Making Diversity Among Members a Strength	472	(5)
Summary	477	(10)
Learning and Discussion Groups	487	(30)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	487	(1)
Nature of Cooeprative Learning	488	(3)
Formal Cooperative Learning: Being ``A Guide on the Side''	491	(2)
Preinstructional Decisions	493	(7)
Structuring the Task and Cooperative Structure	500	(2)
Monitoring and Intervening	502	(2)
Evaluating Learning and Processing Interaction	504	(1)
Informal Cooperative Learning Groups	505	(2)
Using Informal Cooperative Learning	507	(1)
Nature of Base Groups	508	(3)
Integrated Use of All Three Goal Structure	511	(3)
The Cooperative School	514	(1)
Summary	515	(2)
Leading Growth and Counseling Groups	517	(20)
Introduction	518	(1)
The Social-Skills Basis of Personal Growth	518	(1)
The Unique Powers of Group Experiences	519	(2)
Events That Promote Participant Growth	521	(2)
Establishing the Goals of a Growth Group	523	(2)
Leading a Growth Group	525	(6)
Becoming a Facilitator	531	(1)
Feelings, Intuition, and Conceptual Frameworks	532	(3)
Growth Groups and Participant Anxiety	535	(2)
Team Development, Team Training	537	(38)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	537	(1)
Introduction	538	(1)
What Is a Team?	538	(2)
Types of Teams	540	(3)
Organizational Context	543	(6)
Building Productive Teams	549	(2)
Research on Team Effectiveness	551	(1)
Forming, Structuring, and Nurturing Teams	552	(5)
Use of Teams in Training Programs	557	(1)
Team Building	558	(1)
Assessing Quality of Work	559	(8)
Total Quality Management	567	(3)
Dealing with Problem Behaviors in Teams	570	(2)
Summary	572	(3)
Epilogue	575	(4)
Guidelines for Creating Effective Groups	575	(2)
Learning Group Skills	577	(2)
Appendix: Answers	579	(10)
Glossary	589	(10)
References	599	(24)
Index	623