Effective Group Discussion Theory & Practice by Gloria J Galanes

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. In this edition, the authors have expanded coverage of computer-mediated communication and updated relevant information about diversity and culture in chapter 5 and throughout the text.

Contents

• The Small Groups in Everyone’s Life
• Human Communication Processes in Small Groups
• Verbal and Nonverbal Messages in Small Group Communication
• The Small Group as a System
• Diversity and the Effects of Culture
• The Members and their Roles
• Tools for Observing and Evaluating Small Groups
• Communication and Group Culture: Tensions, Fantasy, Socialization, Norms
• Perspectives on Leadership in Small Groups
• Problem Solving and Decision Making I: Defining a Problem, Finding and Evaluating
• Problem Solving and Decision Making II: Deciding and Implementing
• Managing Conflict in the Small Group
• Guidelines for Effective Group Leaders