Effective Group Discussion

by Galanes, Gloria J.; Adams, Katherine H.

• ISBN13: 9780073135236
• ISBN10: 0073135232
• Edition: 12th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-13
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages

Summary

Combining the most recent research findings with practical tools students need to become productive group members, this leading text covers secondary groups of all kinds: work groups, committees, task forces, self-directed work teams, and other small groups whose objectives include finding solutions to problems, producing goods, and creating policies. New lead author Gloria Galanes brings to this edition a vast knowledge of computer-mediated group communication and culture.

Table of Contents

Brief Table of Contents

Part I: Foundations of Communicating in Groups

Chapter 1. The Small Groups in Everyones Life

Chapter 2. Human Communication Processes in Small Groups

Chapter 3. Verbal and Nonverbal Messages in Small Group Communication

Chapter 4. The Small Group as a System

Part II: Developing the Group

Chapter 5. Diversity and the Effects of Culture

Chapter 6. The Members and their Roles

Part III: Observing and Evaluating Groups

Chapter 7. Tools for Assessment and Evaluation

Part IV: Small Group Throughput Processes

Chapter 8. Communication and Group Culture: Tensions, Fantasy, Socialization, Norms, and Climate

Chapter 9. Perspectives on Leadership in Small Groups

Internal Appendix: Preparing for Problem-Solving Discussions: Informational Resources for the Small Group

Part V: Improving Group Outputs

Chapter 10. Problem Solving and Decision Making 1: Defining a Problem, Finding and Evaluating Options

Chapter 11. Problem Solving and Decision Making II: Deciding and Implementing

Chapter 12. Managing Conflict in the Small Group

Chapter 13. Guidelines for Effective Group Leaders

Appendix A: Making Public Presentations of the Groups Output

Glossary

Author Index

Subject Index

Detailed Table of Contents

Part I: Foundations of Communicating in Groups

Chapter 1. The Small Groups in Everyones Life

Central Message

Study Objectives

What Is Small Group Discussion?

Types of Small Groups

Activity Groups

Personal Growth Groups

Educational Groups

Problem-Solving Groups

Ethical Behavior of Group Members

The Participant-Observer Perspective

Chapter 2. Human Communication Processes in Small Groups

Central Message

Study Objectives

What is Communication?

Principles of Communication

Myths about Communication

A Description of a Communication Transaction

Computer-Mediated Communication and Face-to-Face

Communication in Small Groups

Listening and Responding during Discussions

Listening Preferences

Pitfalls to Listening Effectively

Effective Listening in the Small Group

Chapter 3. Verbal and Nonverbal Messages in Small Group Communication

Central Message

Study Objectives

The Nature of Language

Language and Culture

Language, Culture, and Gender

Problems Resulting from Language Choices

Nonverbal Behaviors in Small Group Communication

Principles of Nonverbal Communication

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Types of Nonverbal Signals

Chapter 4. The Small Group as a System

Central Message

Study Objectives

The Systems Perspective

Principles of a System

Variables of a System

A System and its Environment

Communicating across Boundaries

Characteristics of Effectiveness Problem-Solving Groups

Input Variables

Throughput Variables

Output Variables

Environmental Factors

Part II: Developing the Group

Chapter 5. Diversity and the Effects of Culture

Central Message

Study Objectives

What is Culture?

Cultural Characteristics that Affect Communication

Worldview

Individualism versus Collectivism

Power Distance

Uncertainty Avoidance

Masculinity versus Femininity

Low-versus High-Context Communication

Communication Challenges Posed by Co-Cultures

Co-Cultural Differences Based on Race: African American Communication Patterns

Co-Cultural Differences Based on Age

Co-Cultural Differences Based on Socioeconomic Class

Challenges for Co-Cultural Group Members

Behaving Ethically in Intercultural Interactions

Chapter 6. The Members and their Roles

Central Message

Study Objectives

Group Size

Traits and Personality Characteristics

Communication Apprehension

Cognitive Complexity

Self-Monitoring

Preference for Procedural Order

Egalitarianism-Authoritarianism

Communicative Attitudes and Behaviors

Grouphate

Sense of Responsibility for the Group's Success

Willingness to Communicate

Open-mindedness

Development of Member Roles

Formal versus Informal Roles

Role Emergence

Classifying Group Roles

Role Management across Groups

Part III: Observing and Evaluating Groups

Chapter 7. Tools for Observing and Evaluating Small Groups

Central Message

Study Objectives

Internal Assessment: Members Evaluate the Group

Self-Assessment

Member and Group Assessment

Calling for Outside Help: The Consultant

Practice First

Ethical Principles for Consultants

Planning the Consultation

Instruments for Observing and Consulting

Verbal Interaction Analysis

Content Analysis

SYMLOG

Part IV: Small Group Throughput Processes

Chapter 8. Communication and Group Culture: Tensions, Fantasy, Socialization, Norms, and Climate

Central Message

Study Objectives

The Interplay between Communication and Group Culture

Structuration Theory and Group Culture

Negotiating Task and Social Concerns

Fantasy Themes

Groups Socialization of Members

Phases of Group Socialization

Development of Group Norms

Changing a Norm

Development of a Group's Climate

Cohesiveness

Supportiveness

Teambuilding

Chapter 9. Perspectives on Leadership in Small Groups

Central Message

Study Objectives

Leadership and Leaders

Leadership

Leaders

Theoretical Approaches to Leadership

Traits Approaches

Styles Approaches

Functions Approaches

Contingency Approaches

The Relationship Between Leaders and Followers

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Model

Transformational Leadership

The Case for Distributed Leadership

Internal Appendix: Preparing for Problem-Solving Discussions: Informational Resources for the Small Group

Review and Organize Your Present Stock of Information

Problem Mapping

Gather Information You Need

Notetaking

Reading

Direct Observation

Surveys

Individual and Group Interviews

Other Information Sources

Evaluate the Information and Ideas You Have Collected

Organize Your Information and Ideas

Part V: Improving Group Outputs

Chapter 10. Problem Solving and Decision Making 1: Defining a Problem, Finding and Evaluating Options

Central Message

Study Objectives

Questions for Review

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Group versus Individual Problem Solving and Decision Making

Factors Affecting Quality of Group Outputs

The Need for Structure in Group Problem Solving and Decision Making

The Functional Perspective of Group Problem Solving and Decision Making

Problem-Solving Guidelines

The Procedural Model of Problem Solving (P-MOPS)

The Single Question Format

The Ideal Solution Format

Using P-MOPS to Address Complex Problems

Step 1 of P-MOPS: Problem Description and Analysis

1A: Understanding the charge and area of freedom

1B: Understanding the type of question to be addressed

IC: Focusing on the problem

ID: Stating the problem appropriately

IE: Map the problem

Using the Problem Census to discover problems

Step 2 of P-MOPS: Generating and Elaborating on Possible Solutions

2A: Identify as may good ideas as you can using Brainstorming to discover alternatives

2B: Defer judgment during discussion to identify options

2C: Discuss criteria for evaluating solutions

Step 3 of P-MOPS: Evaluating Possible Solutions

3A: Establish a collaborative climate for evaluation

3B: Establish norms that promote critical thinking

Evaluating information

Evaluating reasoning

Evaluating information and reasoning from the World Wide Web

Chapter 11. Problem Solving and Decision Making II: Deciding and Implementing

Central Message

Study Objectives

Using P-MOPS to Address Complex Problems, continued

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making

4A: Decide what decision-making method to use

4B: Understand phasic progression during decision making

Fisher's Models of Group Phases

4C: Understand what can go wrong during decision making

4D: Second-guess the tentative choice before fully committing to it

Using the RISK technique to second-guess the choice

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen

Using PERT to keep track of implementation details

Tailoring P-MOPS to Fit a Specific Problem

Problem Characteristics

Using Technology to Improve Group Problem Solving and

Decision Making

Teleconferences

Group Support Systems (or Group Decision Support Systems)

Chapter 12. Managing Conflict in the Small Group

Central Message

Study Objectives

A Definition of Conflict

Positive and Negative Outcomes of Conflict

Expressing Disagreement in a Group

Types of Conflict

Managing Conflict

Basic Approaches toward Conflict Management

Conflict Management Styles and Tactics

Expressing Disagreement Ethically

Negotiating Principled Agreement

When Negotiating Fails: Alternatives Procedures

Common Ground Approaches

Chapter 13. Guidelines for Effective Group Leaders

Central Message

Study Objectives

Group-Centered Democratic Leadership

Leader as Completer

Responsibilities and Techniques of Discussion Leaders and Chairs

Administrative Duties

Leading Discussion

Developing the Group

Ethical Principles for Group Leaders

Appendix A: Making Public Presentations of the Groups Output

The Planning Stage

The Organizing Stage

The Presenting Stage

Public Meetings

Notes

Glossary

Author Index

Subject Index