Communicating in Groups Building Relationships for Group Effectiveness

by Keyton, Joann

• ISBN13: 9780195183436
• ISBN10: 0195183436
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-10
• Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PR

Summary

To communicate effectively within groups and teams, we must understand ourrelationships with other members and how those relationships influence the tasksand activities that the groups and teams undertake. Communicating in Groups,Third Edition, emphasizes that all groups--decision-making and social--requiremembers to successfully convey both relational and task messages. Author JoannKeyton points to the five key elements that define a group--size,interdependence, identity, goal, and structures--and demonstrates how groupprocesses are facilitated or hindered by them. Using examples from fieldresearch on both task and social groups, Keyton depicts group interaction as itemerges through conversation. She provides frameworks for analyzing groupinteraction, recommendations for effective group practice, and numeroustranscripts of authentic group communication that help to underscore theconcepts.Thoroughly revised in this third edition, the book features new material oncommunication structures, group tasks and activities, communication competence,and decision making. Keyton includes updated literature reflecting recentcommunication and interdisciplinary group theory and research, and she alsoplaces more emphasis on gender and cultural diversity, stressing the need forstudents to consider the multiple ways in which diversity influences groupinteraction. Highlighting the important connection between task and relationalmessages in both task and social groups, Communicating in Groups, Third Edition,is ideal for undergraduate courses in group and team communication, as well asfor management and business communication courses in group behavior andteamwork.

Author Biography

Joann Keyton is Professor of Communication Studies at The University of Kansas

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
The Basics of Group Communication	1	(22)
Your Experience with Groups	1	(3)
What Is a Group?	4	(9)
Characteristics for Defining a Group	4	(8)
Group Size
Interdependence of Members
Group Identity
Group Goal
Group Structure
Putting the Pieces Together: Laying Out the Pieces of the Puzzle	12	(1)
A Group's Connection to Its Context	13	(5)
Permeable and Fluid Boundaries	14	(1)
A Group's Interdependence with Its Context	15	(1)
Time and Space of Group Interaction	16	(2)
Interdependence of Task and Relational Dimensions	18	(3)
Satisfying Task and Relational Dimensions	19	(2)
Summary	21	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	22	(1)
Your Communication in Groups	23	(23)
Verbal Communication	24	(3)
Words and Meanings	24	(1)
Skill Builder: What Did You Say?	24	(1)
Patterns of Language	25	(1)
Impact of Verbal Activity	26	(1)
Improving Verbal Communication Skills	26	(1)
Nonverbal Communication	27	(6)
Types of Nonverbal Communication	27	(2)
Multiple Meanings of Nonverbal Communication	29	(1)
Skill Builder: Cracking the Nonverbal Code	30	(1)
Functions of Nonverbal Communication	30	(2)
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication as a System	32	(1)
Improving Nonverbal Communication Skills	33	(1)
The Listening Process	33	(6)
Listening Pitfalls	34	(2)
Improving Listening	36	(1)
Mastering Group Skills: How Well Do You Listen?	37	(2)
Task Communication	39	(1)
Relational Communication	40	(1)
Integration of Task and Relational Messages	41	(3)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Identity, Interdependence, and Group Goal	42	(1)
Group Communication Outcomes	42	(2)
Summary	44	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	45	(1)
Communication That Structures	46	(32)
Communication Networks	46	(6)
Decentralized Networks	49	(1)
Centralized Networks	50	(1)
Assessing Your Group's Network	50	(1)
Mastering Group Skills: Analyzing Group Networks	51	(1)
Coherence of Group Conversations	52	(4)
Functional Coherence	52	(1)
Topical Coherence	53	(3)
Group Member Roles	56	(8)
Formal Roles	57	(2)
Informal Interaction Roles	59	(4)
Improving Your Role Effectiveness	63	(1)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Structure, Interdependence, and Group Size	63	(1)
Group Norms	64	(3)
Norm Development	64	(2)
Why Talk About Norms?	66	(1)
Skill Builder: Identifying Norms in Your Group	67	(1)
How Groups Develop	67	(7)
Phases of Group Development	67	(7)
Inclusion and Dependency Phase
Conflict Phase
Negotiating Goals and Roles
Task and Activity Orientation
Termination
Progressing Through the Phases	74	(1)
Summary	74	(2)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	76	(2)
Group Tasks and Activities	78	(21)
Types of Group Tasks and Activities	79	(4)
Planning	79	(1)
Generating Ideas	80	(1)
Making Choices	80	(1)
Negotiating	80	(1)
Competing	81	(1)
Performing	81	(1)
Deliberating	82	(1)
Building Relationships	82	(1)
Providing Social Support	82	(1)
Analyzing Group Tasks and Activities	83	(4)
Skill Builder: Breaking the Group Charge into Tasks	83	(1)
Task and Activity Characteristics	84	(2)
Putting the Pieces Together: Interdependence and Group Goal	86	(1)
Influences on Group Tasks and Activities	87	(7)
Degree of Participation	87	(1)
Influence of Time	88	(2)
Influence of Diversity	90	(2)
Skill Builder: Are You Ignoring Diversity?	92	(1)
Influence of Technology	92	(2)
Evaluating Group Outcomes	94	(3)
Mastering Group Skills: Consider Influences on Group Tasks	95	(1)
Mastering Group Skills: Designing Group Tasks	96	(1)
Summary	97	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	98	(1)
Building Group Communication Competence	99	(26)
Skill Builder: How Important Are Communication Skills?	100	(1)
The Ideal Group Member	100	(3)
Your Group Interaction Style	103	(1)
Interpersonal Needs	104	(3)
Expressing and Wanting Needs	105	(2)
Achieving Need Compatibility	107	(1)
Communication Competence	107	(3)
Mastering Group Skills: How Competent Are You?	109	(1)
Communication Apprehension	110	(1)
Your Attitude Toward Groups	111	(1)
Communicator Style	112	(4)
Mastering Group Skills: Determining Your Communicator Style	114	(2)
Communicating in Diverse Groups	116	(3)
Cultural Orientations	116	(1)
Overcoming Diversity Problems	117	(2)
Ethical Group Membership	119	(3)
Summary	122	(1)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Identity and Group Goal	123	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	123	(2)
Building Relationships in Groups	125	(22)
Relating to Other Group Members	125	(2)
Being Dependent on Other Group Members	126	(1)
Being Interdependent with Other Group Members	126	(1)
Group Communication Climate	127	(6)
Evaluation Versus Description	128	(1)
Control Versus Problem Orientation	129	(1)
Strategy Versus Spontaneity	129	(1)
Neutrality Versus Empathy	130	(1)
Superiority Versus Equality	131	(1)
Certainty Versus Provisionalism	131	(1)
Altering Group Climate	132	(1)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Identity and Group Structure	133	(1)
Group Cohesiveness	133	(3)
Developing Group Cohesiveness	134	(1)
Cohesiveness and Group Performance	134	(2)
Group Member Satisfaction	136	(1)
Improving Cohesiveness and Satisfaction	137	(3)
Mastering Group Skills: How Satisfied and Cohesive Are Your Group Members?	138	(2)
Trust	140	(2)
Skill Builder: How Fragile Is Trust?	141	(1)
Socializing New Members into Groups	142	(3)
Summary	145	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	146	(1)
Solving Problems and Making Decisions	147	(29)
Decision-Making Skills	147	(4)
Task Skills for Decision Making	148	(1)
Relational Skills for Decision Making	149	(1)
Procedural Skills for Decision Making	150	(1)
Decision-Making Principles	151	(1)
Why Groups Are Better at Making Decisions	152	(1)
Advice from Functional Theory	153	(3)
Using Decision-Making Procedures	156	(18)
Mastering Group Skills: Identifying Decision-Making Functions	157	(2)
Standard Agenda	159	(2)
Brainstorming	161	(2)
Nominal Group Technique	163	(2)
Consensus	165	(2)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Goal and Interdependence	167	(1)
Voting	167	(2)
Ranking	169	(1)
Comparing Procedures	170	(2)
Skill Builder: Which Procedures Will Help Your Group?	172	(1)
The Paradox of Using Procedures	172	(2)
Summary	174	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	175	(1)
Assessing Decision Processes and Implementing Decisions	176	(19)
Monitoring Decision-Making Performance	176	(1)
Challenges to Decision-Making Effectiveness	177	(7)
Information Bias	177	(2)
Groupthink	179	(1)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Structure, Group Identity, and Group Goal	180	(1)
Factors in Faulty Decision Making	181	(3)
Helping Your Group Make Effective Decisions	184	(2)
Implementing Decisions	186	(5)
Skill Builder: Assuming the Role of the Critical Advisor	187	(1)
Criteria for Successful Implementation	187	(1)
Designing the Implementation with PERT	188	(3)
Mastering Group Skills: Implementing Plans with PERT	191	(1)
Monitoring and Evaluating Decision Outcomes	191	(1)
Summary	192	(2)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	194	(1)
Managing Conflict in Groups	195	(24)
Defining Conflict	195	(6)
Ways of Thinking About Conflict	197	(1)
Is Conflict Always Disruptive?	198	(1)
Is Conflict Inherent?	199	(1)
Skill Builder: Did I Do That?	200	(1)
Types and Sources of Conflict	201	(4)
Gender Diversity and Conflict	203	(1)
Cultural Diversity and Conflict	204	(1)
Power	205	(3)
Bases of Power	205	(2)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Structure and Group Size	207	(1)
Power and Conflict	208	(1)
Conflict Between Groups	208	(2)
Conflict Management Strategies	210	(6)
Collaborating	210	(2)
Competing	212	(1)
Accommodating	212	(1)
Avoiding	212	(1)
Compromising	213	(1)
Which Strategy Should You Pick?	213	(1)
Mastering Group Skills: Conflict Management Strategy	214	(2)
Summary	216	(2)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	218	(1)
Providing Leadership in Groups	219	(22)
Defining Leadership	219	(2)
Becoming a Leader	221	(3)
Appointed Versus Elected Leaders	221	(1)
Emerging as a Leader	222	(2)
A Communication Competency Approach to Leadership	224	(2)
Task Competencies	225	(1)
Relational Competencies	225	(1)
Technical Competencies	226	(1)
Gender Diversity and Leadership	226	(1)
Leadership Styles	227	(10)
Situational Leadership® Model	228	(4)
Telling Style
Selling Style
Participating Style
Delegating Style
Comparing Leadership Styles
Skill Builder: Identifying Your Leadership Style	232	(2)
Choosing a Leadership Style Transformational Leadership	234	(3)
Enhancing Your Leadership Ability	237	(1)
Putting The Pieces Together: Group Goal, Group Structure, and Interdependence	238	(1)
Summary	238	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	239	(2)
Managing Group Meetings	241	(24)
Importance of Meeting Management Procedures	241	(1)
Meeting Planning	242	(12)
Premeeting Planning and Preparation	242	(3)
Leader Premeeting Responsibilities
Skill Builder: Developing a Meeting Agenda	245	(2)
Physical Environment and Material Resources
Group Member Premeeting Responsibilities
Conducting the Meeting	247	(7)
Taking Minutes
Managing Relational Issues
Using Space
Using Visuals
Making Assignments
Ending the Meeting
Postmeeting Follow-Up	254	(2)
Mastering Group Skills: Managing Meetings	255	(1)
Developing a Group Charter and Code of Conduct	256	(2)
Overcoming Obstacles	258	(4)
Long Meetings	259	(1)
Unequal Member Involvement and Commitment	259	(1)
Formation of Cliques	259	(1)
Different Levels of Communication Skill	260	(1)
Different Communicator Styles	261	(1)
Personal Conflicts	261	(1)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Identity, Interdependence, and Group Structure	262	(1)
Successful Meeting Management	262	(1)
Summary	263	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	264	(1)
Making Observations and Giving Feedback	265	(16)
What Is Feedback?	265	(1)
Why Groups Need Feedback	266	(2)
Putting the Pieces Together: Group Goal, Interdependence, and Group Identity	268	(1)
Levels and Types of Feedback	268	(4)
Levels of Feedback	268	(2)
Task and Procedural Feedback
Relational Feedback
Individual Feedback
Group Feedback
Mastering Group Skills: Topics for Group Feedback	270	(1)
Types of Feedback	271	(1)
Descriptive Feedback
Evaluative Feedback
Prescriptive Feedback
Observing the Group	272	(3)
Skill Builder: Giving Specific Feedback	273	(2)
Starting a Group Feedback System	275	(4)
Observation and Feedback Process	275	(2)
Advice for Giving Feedback	277	(2)
Summary	279	(1)
Discussion Questions and Exercises	280	(1)
Putting It All Together	281	(11)
Appendix Creating and Delivering Team Presentations	292	(9)
Glossary	301	(8)
References	309	(16)
Credits	325	(2)
Author Index	327	(4)
Subject Index	331