Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills

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

• ISBN13: 9780205367405
• ISBN10: 0205367402
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This best-selling text is a broad, integrative overview of group dynamics presented in a well researched, readable, and experiential format. This text 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	2	(44)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	3	(1)
Group Dynamics and Me	3	(1)
The Importance of Groups	3	(8)
How to Create an Effective Group	11	(4)
What Is a Group?	15	(2)
The Nature of Groups	17	(3)
Aspects of Groups	20	(1)
Creating Productive Groups	20	(3)
Group Structure	23	(5)
The Development of Groups Over Time	28	(7)
The Field of Group Dynamics	35	(4)
Kurt Lewin and the Field of Group Dynamics	39	(3)
The Nature of This Book and How to Use It	42	(2)
Your Skill Level	44	(1)
Summary	44	(2)
Experiential Learning	46	(22)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	47	(1)
Procedural Learning	47	(1)
Action Theories	48	(2)
Gaining Expertise through Experiential Learning	50	(3)
Learning Group Skills	53	(3)
Experiential Learning and Motivation	56	(1)
Role Playing	57	(1)
Learning How to Be a Participant-Observer	58	(3)
Conducting Skill-Training Exercises	61	(4)
Ethics of Experiential Learning	65	(2)
Summary	67	(1)
Group Goals, Social Interdependence, and Trust	68	(66)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	69	(1)
Introduction	69	(3)
What Is a Goal?	72	(3)
START with Goals	75	(2)
Clarity of Goals	77	(1)
Operational Goals	78	(1)
Group Goals and Level of Aspiration	79	(1)
Dealing with Hidden Agendas	79	(2)
Helping Groups Set Effective Goals	81	(11)
Group Goals and Social Interdependence Among Members	92	(6)
Outcomes of Social Interdependence	98	(9)
Reciprocal Relationships Among the Three Outcomes	107	(1)
Mediating Variables: The Basic Elements of Cooperation	108	(6)
The Evolution of Cooperation	114	(1)
Goal Structures and the Allocation of Benefits Among Group Members	115	(3)
Social Interdependence and the Real World	118	(6)
Developing and Maintaining Trust	124	(9)
Summary	133	(1)
Communication Within Groups	134	(40)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	135	(1)
Introduction and Definitions	135	(2)
Group Communication	137	(2)
Group Environment	139	(1)
Sending and Receiving Messages	140	(11)
Communication in a Problem-Solving Group	151	(1)
Interaction Analysis	151	(9)
Communication Patterns in an Authority Hierarchy	160	(5)
Communication Patterns and Networks	165	(2)
Influences on Effectiveness of Group Communication	167	(1)
Effects of Cooperation and Competition on Communication	167	(3)
Physical Influences on Communication	170	(1)
Seating Arrangements	170	(1)
Humor	171	(1)
Taking a Survey	171	(1)
Summary	172	(2)
Leadership	174	(52)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	175	(1)
What Is Leadership?	175	(9)
Trait Theories of Leadership	184	(6)
Leadership Styles	190	(2)
Influence Theory of Leadership	192	(2)
Role Position Approach to Leadership	194	(4)
Situational Theories of Leadership	198	(9)
Organizational Leadership	207	(7)
What If You Do Not Want to Be a Leader?	214	(10)
Summary	224	(2)
Using Power	226	(48)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	227	(1)
Introduction	228	(3)
What Is Power?	231	(2)
The Dynamic-Interdependence View of Power	233	(4)
Mobilizing Power to Achieve Goals	237	(3)
The Trait-Factor Approach to Power	240	(3)
The Bases of Power	243	(4)
Conflict Model of Social Influence	247	(3)
Power and Problem Solving	250	(4)
Unequal Power	254	(11)
Group Norms: Indirect Power	265	(4)
The Group Mind	269	(3)
Summary	272	(2)
Decision Making	274	(56)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	275	(1)
Making Effective Decisions	275	(3)
Individual Versus Group Decision Making	278	(13)
Methods of Decision Making	291	(8)
Factors Enhancing Group Decision Making	299	(1)
Factors Hindering Group Decision Making	299	(15)
Approaches to Decision Making	314	(1)
Considered and Thoughtful Decision Making	315	(8)
Problems with Theorizing on Decision Making	323	(5)
Summary	328	(2)
Controversy and Creativity	330	(48)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	331	(4)
Controversy and Decision Making	335	(4)
The Avoidance of Controversy	339	(10)
Outcomes of Controversy	349	(4)
Process of Controversy	353	(4)
Conditions Determining the Constructiveness of Controversy	357	(3)
Structuring Academic Controversies	360	(1)
Guidelines for Constructive Controversy	361	(2)
Being a Citizen in a Democracy	363	(4)
Creativity	367	(1)
Developing and Fostering Creativity	368	(3)
Open Versus Closed Belief Systems	371	(2)
Brainstorming	373	(4)
Final Note	377	(1)
Managing Conflict of Interests	378	(72)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	379	(1)
Conflict Positive Groups	379	(1)
Nature of Conflicts of Interests	380	(2)
Conflicts Can Be Destructive or Constructive	382	(3)
Conflict Strategies: What Are You Like?	385	(3)
Controlling the Occurrence of Conflicts	388	(1)
The Nature of Negotiations	389	(7)
Two Types of Negotiating	396	(6)
The Integrative Negotiating Procedure	402	(19)
Try, Try Again	421	(4)
Negotiating in Good Faith	425	(1)
Refusal Skills: This Issue Is Not Negotiable	425	(6)
Intergroup Conflict	431	(15)
Third-Party Mediation	446	(3)
Summary	449	(1)
Valuing Diversity	450	(36)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	451	(3)
Introduction	454	(1)
Diversity	455	(2)
Importance of Managing Diversity	457	(1)
The Value of Diversity	458	(5)
Barriers to Interacting with Diverse Peers	463	(10)
Making Diversity Among Members a Strength	473	(6)
Summary	479	(7)
Learning and Discussion Groups	486	(30)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	487	(1)
Nature of Cooeprative Learning	487	(4)
Formal Cooperative Learning: Being ``A Guide cm the Side''	491	(2)
Preinstructional Decisions	493	(6)
Structuring the Task and Cooperative Structure	499	(2)
Monitoring and Intervening	501	(2)
Evaluating Learning and Processing Interaction	503	(2)
Informal Cooperative Learning Groups	505	(1)
Using Informal Cooperative Learning	506	(1)
Nature of Base Groups	507	(4)
Integrated Use of All Three Goal Structures	511	(2)
The Cooperative School	513	(2)
Summary	515	(1)
Leading Growth and Counseling Groups	516	(26)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	517	(1)
Introduction	517	(1)
Types of Therapeutic Groups	517	(7)
The Unique Power of Group Experiences	524	(5)
Importance of Disclosing Emotions	529	(1)
Leading a Growth Group	530	(6)
Conceptual Frameworks, Feelings, and Intuition	536	(2)
Becoming a Facilitator	538	(1)
Growth Groups and Participant Anxiety	539	(1)
Costs of Growth and Therapy Groups	539	(1)
Comparative Effectiveness	539	(1)
Summary	540	(2)
Team Development, Team Training	542	(36)
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	543	(1)
Introduction	543	(1)
What Is a Team?	544	(2)
Types of Teams	546	(2)
Organizational Context	548	(6)
Building Productive Teams	554	(2)
Research on Team Effectiveness	556	(1)
Forming, Structuring, and Nurturing Teams	557	(5)
Use of Teams in Training Programs	562	(1)
Team Building	563	(1)
Assessing Quality of Work	564	(7)
Total Quality Management	571	(3)
Dealing with Problem Behaviors in Teams	574	(2)
Summary	576	(2)
Epilogue	578	(5)
Guidelines for Creating Effective Groups	579	(2)
Learning Group Skills	581	(2)
Appendix: Answers	583	(11)
Glossary	594	(13)
References	607	(28)
Index	635