Group Discussion : A Practical Guide to Participation and Leadership

by Young, Kathryn Sue; Wood, Julia T.; Phillips, Gerald M.; Pedersen, Douglas J.; Young, Kathryn Sue; Wood, Julia T.

• ISBN13: 9781577660934
• ISBN10: 1577660935
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc

Table of Contents

Introduction to Group Discussion and The Standard Agenda	1	(12)
Perspectives on Group Discussion	1	(1)
Where Will You Use Group Discussion?	2	(4)
Why Do You Need to Be an Effective Group Member?	6	(1)
What Will This Book Do for You?	7	(1)
The Value of Procedure	7	(1)
Overview of the Standard Agenda	8	(1)
Why the Standard Agenda?	9	(2)
The Choices Are Yours	11	(2)
Understanding the Group as a System	13	(10)
The Systems Perspective	13	(4)
Why the System Might Not Work	17	(2)
How to Learn about Group Discussion	19	(1)
Making the System Work	20	(3)
Exploring the Group System	23	(14)
Initial Elements	23	(2)
Process Elements	25	(8)
Outcome Features	33	(4)
Individual Choices that Affect the System	37	(10)
Rhetorical Sensitivity	37	(2)
Verbal Communication	39	(3)
Active Listening	42	(1)
Nonverbal Communication	42	(3)
Individual Preparation	45	(1)
Troubleshooting	46	(1)
Making Effective Choices When Leading	47	(16)
Selecting and Shaping a Leader	47	(2)
Remaining Effective as a Leader	49	(4)
Preparing for Leadership	53	(3)
Strategies for Leading	56	(7)
Creating a Constructive Climate and Managing Conflict	63	(14)
Components of Constructive Climate	63	(2)
Role of Conflict in Discussion	65	(5)
Groupthink	70	(7)
Standard Agenda Step One: Understanding The Charge	77	(12)
Goals of Step One	77	(3)
Outcomes of Step One	80	(1)
Member Tasks in Step One	81	(3)
Leader Obligations in Step One	84	(1)
An Unspoken Contract for Serious Group Problem Solving	85	(4)
Standard Agenda Step Two: Understanding and Phrasing the Question	89	(12)
Goals and Outcomes of Step Two	90	(1)
Exploring the Background of the Problem	90	(3)
Phrase the Question	93	(5)
Member Tasks in Step Two	98	(1)
Leader Obligations in Step Two	98	(3)
Standard Agenda Step Three: Fact Finding	101	(14)
Basic Questions	101	(5)
Examining Particular Types of Information	106	(2)
Using Language	108	(1)
An Example of Collective Reasoning	109	(3)
Member Tasks in Step Three	112	(1)
Leader Obligations in Step Three	113	(2)
Standard Agenda Step Four: Setting Criteria and Limitations	115	(8)
Defining Criteria and Limitations	115	(3)
Outcomes	118	(2)
Member Tasks in Step Four	120	(1)
Leadership Obligations in Step Four	121	(2)
Standard Agenda Step Five: Discovering and Selecting Solutions	123	(10)
Avoiding the Obvious	123	(3)
Outcomes of Step Five	126	(3)
Member Tasks in Step Five	129	(1)
Leader Obligations in Step Five	130	(3)
Standard Agenda Step Six: Preparing and Presenting the Final Report	133	(12)
Preparing the Final Report	133	(6)
Presenting the Final Report	139	(1)
Extemporaneous Speaking	139	(4)
Conclusion	143	(2)
Bibliography	145	(4)
Index	149