Small Group and Team Communication

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

• ISBN13: 9780205483679
• ISBN10: 0205483674
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-08
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Praised for its writing style, research base, and range of topics covered,Small Group and Team Communicationdevelops 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 Communicationengages the reader and guides them from theoretical discussions into application and experience of the concepts presented.

Table of Contents

Small Groups: Power, Definition, and Attraction

The Power of Groups

Defining Small Group Communication

Why Join a Group?

Characteristics of Small Groups

Characteristics of Small Group Communication

Types of Small Groups

Groups in Organizations

Groups as Systems of Interaction

Understanding Small Group Success

Communication in Small Groups

A Systems Approach to Small Group Communication

Norms, Roles, Cohesiveness, and Groupthink

Norms

Roles

Cohesiveness

Groupthink

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

Forming: Hello, Orientation, and Inclusion

Storming: Conflict in Groups

Norming: Emergence as a Group

Performing: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Terminating

Usefulness of the Phase Model

Overriding Influences

Diversity in Groups: The Strength of Different Perspectives

Defining Diversity and Its Place in Small Groups

Assumptions and Stereotyping

Communication Contexts

Diversity in Small Groups and Teams

Making Diverse Groups Work

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Functions of Verbal Communication

Structures of Meaning in Verbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication

Listening and Feedback: The Other Half of Communication

Motivation

The Four Components of Listening

Active Listening

Feedback: Responding to the Message

Group Evolution: Teams

Organizations and Teams

Teams

Decision Making and Problem Solving

Decision Making and Problem Solving

DECIDE Stages of Decision Making and Problem Solving

The Patterns of Group Decision Making

Creativity in the Small Group Process

What Is Creativity?

Creativity Means a New Way of Looking

Barriers to Creativity

Techniques for Encouraging Creativity

Solving Problems Creatively

A Creative Group Climate

Group Process and Presentation Techniques

Brainstorming

Creative Decision-Making Techniques

Problem-Solving Tools

The RISK Procedure

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)

How These Techniques are Used

Small Group Presentational Formats

Productive Conflict Management

Defining Conflict within a Communication Context

Patterns of Conflict Resolution

Power in Group Conflict

Power in Context

Leadership in Small Groups

Recognizing Leaders

Leadership as a Function in a System

Theories of Leadership

Three Characteristics of Leaders

Choosing a Leader

Tasks of Group Leaders

Influences on Group Leadership

Leadership Styles

Observing and Evaluating a Small Group

Systematic Feedback

Success and Failure

Observer-Members Scales

Observer Feedback Guidelines

Individual Role behavior

Verbal Interaction and Content Analyses

Computer-Mediated Group Communication

Understanding the Technology and Its Influence on Small Group Communication

Influences of the Medium on Communication

Choosing a Medium for the Effective Use of CMC

Adopting Effective Group Communication Strategies for CMC

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

Index

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