Small Group and Team Communication

by Harris, Thomas E.; Sherblom, John C.

ISBN13:

9780205289899

ISBN10:

0205289894

Format:

Paperback

Pub. Date:

8/1/1998

Publisher(s):

Allyn & Bacon, Inc.

Upgraded Edition: Click here!

Other versions by this Author

List Price: ~~$55.00~~

More New and Used
from Private Sellers

Starting at $0.01

Rent Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

Used Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

eTextbook

We're Sorry
Not Available

New Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

Summary

Praised for its writing style, research base, and range of topics covered, "Small Group and Team Communication" develops issues of diversity, ethics, technology and the organizational use of groups and teams within a systems theory framework. Clearly organized and logically presented, this book provides the opportunity for outstanding discussions of critical issues. Harris and Sherblom effectively integrate real-world examples, hypothetical situations, social science theories, and scholarly research into a unified discussion of small group and team communication. Through extensive examples, case studies, and exercises, "Small Group and Team Communication" engages the reader and guides them from theoretical discussions into application and experience of the concepts presented.

Preface

xiii

1 Small Groups: Power, Definition, and Attraction

(18)

The Power of Groups

(1)

Defining Small Group Communication

(2)

Transactional Process

(1)

Symbolic Behavior

(1)

Shared Meaning

(1)

Why Join a Group?

(2)

Interpersonal Attraction

(1)

Need for Affiliation

(1)

Commitment to Group Goals and Activities

(1)

Assignment by Someone Else

(1)

Characteristics of Small Groups

(2)

Interdependence and Interactivity

(1)

Exponential Number of Interactions

(1)

Synergy

(1)

Characteristics of Small Group Communication

(2)

Complex Transactions

(1)

Interactive Complexities

(1)

Types of Small Groups

(2)

Groups in Organizations

(2)

Examples from the Automotive Industry

(1)

Meetings

(1)

Summary

(1)

Discussion Questions

(1)

Discussion Exercise: Inventing the Light Bulb

(1)

References

(1)

2 Groups as Systems of Interaction

(18)

Understanding Small Group Success

(2)

Communication in Small Groups

(1)

A Systems Approach to Small Group Communication

(9)

Systems Theory

(1)

Open Systems

(4)

Complex Systems

(4)

Summary

(1)

Discussion Questions

(1)

Discussion Exercise: The Zoo Story

(3)

The Trainers

(1)

The Behaviorists

(1)

The Outcome: Making It Work

(1)

Systems Principles at the Zoo

(1)

References

(1)

3 Norms, Roles, Cohesiveness, and Groupthink

(15)

Norms

(3)

The Reason for Norms

(1)

Types of Norms

(1)

Violating Norms

(1)

Roles

(4)

Types of Roles

(3)

The Function of Roles

(1)

Cohesiveness

(1)

Influences on Cohesiveness

(1)

Consequences of Cohesiveness

(1)

Groupthink

(1)

Summary

(1)

Discussion Questions

(1)

Discussion Exercise: The New Truck

(3)

References

(1)

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

(17)

Forming: Hello, Orientation, and Inclusion

(2)

Storming: Conflict in Groups

(2)

Norming: Emergence as a Group

(1)

Performing: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

(1)

Terminating

(2)

Usefulness of the Phase Model

(1)

Modifications

(1)

Organizational Teams

(1)

Overriding Influences

(2)

Formal or Informal Group

(1)

Task and Social Dynamics

(1)

Primary and Secondary Tensions

(1)

Summary

(1)

Discussion Questions

(1)

Group Exercise: The Consulting Firm

(1)

References

(2)

5 Diversity in Groups: The Strength of Different Perspectives

(15)

Defining Diversity and Its Place in Small Groups

(1)

Assumptions and Stereotyping

(2)

Communication Contexts

(2)

Language Use

(1)

Nonverbal Communication

(1)

Diversity in Small Groups and Teams

(2)

Group Commitment and Consensus

(1)

Strength in Diversity

(1)

Making Diverse Groups Work

(3)

Conflict Management

(1)

Hierarchies of Power

(1)

Pressures for Conformity

(1)

Summary

(1)

Discussion Questions

(1)

Discussion Exercise: Diversity and Living Together

(2)

References

(1)

6 Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

(20)

Functions of Verbal Communication

(2)

Task Ordering

(1)

Process Orientation

(1)

Narratives and Group Fantasies

(1)

Structures of Meaning in Verbal Communication

(4)

Denotative and Connotative Meaning

(1)

Semantics

(1)

Group Talk

(2)

Humor

(1)

Nonverbal Communication

(7)

Principles of Nonverbal Communication

(2)

Types of Nonverbal Communication

(5)

Summary

(1)

Discussion Questions

(2)

Discussion Exercise: To Catch a Spy

101

(1)

References

102

(2)

7 Listening and Feedback: The Other Half of Communication

104

(16)

Motivation

107

(1)

The Four Components of Listening

107

(4)

Sensing (Hearing the Message)

107

(2)

Interpreting the Message

109

(1)

Evaluating the Message Content

110

(1)

Memory: Retaining and Responding to the Message

111

(1)

Active Listening

111

(4)

Barriers to Active Listening

111

(3)

Active Listening Response Methods

114

(1)

Feedback: Responding to the Message

115

(3)

Providing Constructive Feedback

115

(2)

Receiving Feedback

117

(1)

Summary

118

(1)

Discussion Questions

118

(1)

Discussion Exercise: The Nondebate

119

(1)

References

119

(1)

8 Group Evolution: Teams

120

(16)

The Scope of Employee Involvement Programs

122

(1)

Teams

123

(8)

Quality Circles

124

(3)

Self-Managing Work Teams

127

(4)

Summary

131

(1)

Discussion Questions

131

(1)

Discussion Exercise: The Research Team

132

(1)

Skills Selection Form

132

(2)

References

134

(2)

9 Decision Making and Problem Solving

136

(20)

Decision Making and Problem Solving

137

(2)

The Stages of Decision Making and Problem Solving

139

(6)

Defining the Problem

139

(1)

Constraints in the Context of Goals

140

(1)

Searching Out Alternatives

141

(2)

Making the Decision

143

(1)

Implementing the Decision

144

(1)

Evaluating the Decision

144

(1)

Patterns of Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Groups

145

(2)

Group Composition

146

(1)

Group Process

146

(1)

The Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Process

147

(5)

Problem Identification and Information Gathering

147

(2)

Refining Goals

149

(1)

Refining Alternatives

150

(1)

Making the Choice

150

(1)

Implementing the Decision

151

(1)

Summary

152

(1)

Discussion Questions

153

(1)

Discussion Exercise: Critical and Creative Steps in Decision Making

154

(1)

References

155

(1)

10 Creativity in the Small Group Process

156

(18)

What Is Creativity?

157

(1)

Creativity Means a New Way of Looking

158

(1)

Barriers to Creativity

159

(5)

Perceptual Barriers

160

(2)

Cultural Barriers

162

(1)

Emotional Barriers

163

(1)

Techniques for Encouraging Creativity

164

(3)

Idea Needlers

164

(1)

Manipulative Verbs

164

(2)

Association and Metaphors

166

(1)

Analogy

166

(1)

Solving Problems Creatively

167

(1)

A Creative Group Climate

168

(3)

Openness

168

(1)

Sharing

168

(1)

Gibb's Communication Climate Comparisons

168

(3)

Summary

171

(1)

Discussion Questions

171

(1)

Discussion Exercise: Competitive Team Creativity

172

(1)

References

173

(1)

11 Group Process and Presentation Techniques

174

(20)

Brainstorming

175

(1)

Creative Decision-Making Techniques

176

(6)

Focus Groups

177

(1)

Nominal Group Technique

177

(2)

Delphi Technique

179

(1)

Synectics

179

(1)

Buzz Sessions

180

(1)

Idea Writing

181

(1)

Role Playing

181

(1)

Listening Teams

181

(1)

Problem-Solving Tools

182

(5)

Flowcharts

182

(1)

Fishbone Diagrams

182

(3)

Pareto's Principle

185

(2)

The RISK Procedure

187

(1)

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)

187

(1)

Small Group Presentational Formats

188

(2)

The Forum

188

(1)

The Panel

189

(1)

The Colloquium

189

(1)

The Symposium

190

(1)

Summary

190

(1)

Discussion Questions

190

(2)

Discussion Exercise: Practicing Technique

192

(1)

References

193

(1)

12 Productive Conflict Management

194

(21)

Defining Conflict within a Communication Context

196

(3)

Conflict within Systems

196

(1)

Conflict within Small Groups

197

(1)

The Substance of Conflict

198

(1)

Patterns of Conflict Resolution

199

(6)

Collaboration (and Consensus)

200

(1)

Negotiation

201

(1)

Accommodation

202

(1)

Compromise

203

(1)

Competition

203

(2)

Avoidance

205

(1)

Power in Group Conflict

205

(4)

Expert Power

206

(1)

Interpersonal Linkage Power

206

(1)

Reward and Punishment Power

207

(1)

Positional (Legitimate) Power

207

(1)

Referent Power

207

(1)

Charismatic (or Personal) Power

208

(1)

Avoidance Power

208

(1)

Power in Context

209

(1)

Summary

210

(1)

Discussion Questions

211

(1)

Discussion Exercise: Mediating Disputes

212

(2)

References

214

(1)

13 Leadership in Small Groups

215

(22)

Recognizing Leaders

216

(1)

Leadership as a Function in a System

217

(1)

Theories of Leadership

218

(6)

Managerial Leadership Grid Theory

219

(3)

Transactional and Transformational Theories

222

(1)

Leadership by Adaptation

222

(1)

Leaderless Groups

223

(1)

Three Characteristics of Leaders

224

(2)

Vision

224

(1)

Credibility

224

(1)

Communication Competence

225

(1)

Choosing a Leader

226

(3)

Appointed Leaders

226

(1)

Elected Leaders

227

(1)

Emergent Leaders

227

(1)

Shared (Facilitative) Leadership

228

(1)

Tasks of Group Leaders

229

(1)

Facilitating Meetings

229

(1)

Empowering Group Members

229

(1)

Managing Conflict

230

(1)

Influences on Group Leadership

230

(2)

External Context

230

(1)

Nature of Task

231

(1)

Interdependence of Group Members

231

(1)

Leadership Styles

232

(2)

Leader-as-Technician

232

(1)

Leader-as-Conductor

233

(1)

Leader-as-Coach

233

(1)

Summary

234

(1)

Discussion Questions

234

(1)

Discussion Exercises: Leadership Roles

235

(1)

References

236

(1)

14 Observing and Evaluating a Small Group

237

(18)

Systematic Feedback

238

(1)

Success and Failure

239

(1)

Observer-Members Scales

239

(8)

Rating Scales

240

(1)

Postmeeting Reaction Forms

241

(6)

Observer Feedback Guidelines

247

(4)

Individual Role Behavior

251

(1)

Verbal Interaction and Content Analyses

251

(2)

Summary

253

(1)

Discussion Questions

253

(1)

Discussion Exercise: Evaluating Ourselves

253

(1)

References

254

(1)

Epilogue: The Next Ten Years

255

(2)

Discussion Question

256

(1)

References

256

(1)

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

257

(6)

I. Choose a Topic

257

(1)

II. Gather Information

257

(1)

III. Process the Information

258

(2)

IV. Organize the Information for Presentation

260

(2)

V. Practice

262

(1)

Index

263

Small Group and Team Communication

9780205289899

Rent Textbook

Used Textbook

eTextbook

New Textbook

Summary

Table of Contents