Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills

384 Pages·2011·5.601 MB·English

by  Katherine L. Adams, Gloria J. Galanes

8
Communicating
in Groups
Applications and Skills

8
Communicating
in Groups
Applications and Skills
Katherine Adams
California State University, Fresno
Gloria J. Galanes
Missouri State University
TM
TM
COMMUNICATING IN GROUPS: APPLICATIONS AND SKILLS, EIGHTH EDITION
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ISBN 978-0-07-353427-5
MHID 0-07-353427-7
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Adams, Katherine L.
Communicating in groups : applications and skills / Katherine Adams, Gloria J. Galanes. — 8th ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-07-353427-5 (alk. paper)
1. Small groups. 2. Interpersonal relations. I. Galanes, Gloria J. II. Title.
HM736.A33 2012
302.3’4—dc22
2010052300
www.mhhe.com
We dedicate this book to our students,
who teach us as much as we teach them.

Brief Contents vii
BRIEF CONTENTS
PART ONE
Orientation to Small Group Systems 1
1 Small Groups as the Heart of Society 2
2 Groups as Structured Open Systems 26
PART TWO
Foundations of Small Group Communicating 47
3 Communication Principles for Group Members 48
PART THREE
From Individuals to Group 85
4 Becoming a Group 86
5 Working with Diversity in the Small Group 118
PART FOUR
Understanding and Improving Group Throughput Processes 155
6 Creative and Critical Thinking in the Small Group 156
7 Group Problem-Solving Procedures 192
8 Managing Confl icts Productively 226
9 Applying Leadership Principles 252
PART FIVE
Small Group Public Presentations 291
10 Planning, Organizing, and Presenting Small Group Oral Presentations 292
Appendix: Techniques for Observing Problem-Solving Groups A-0
References R-1
Bibliography B-1
Index I-1
viii CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Preface xiii
PART ONE
Orientation to Small Group Systems 1
CHAPTER 1
Small Groups as the Heart of Society 2
Groups in Your Life 5 Small Groups 12
Groups as Problem Solvers 5 Small Groups versus Teams 13
Participating in Groups 6 Small Group Communication 14
Groups versus Individuals as Problem Groups and Technology 14
Solvers 7 Classifying Groups by Their Major
When a Group Is a Good Choice 8 Purpose 16
When a Group Is Not a Good Choice 9 Primary or Secondary Groups 16
Groups, Small Groups, Teams, and Small Types of Secondary Groups 17
Group Communication 11 Being an Ethical Group Member 21
Groups 11 The Participant-Observer Perspective 24
CHAPTER 2
Groups as Structured Open Systems 26
What Is a Theory? 28 Concepts Vital to Understanding
Overview of General Systems Theory 28 Systems 31
The Small Group as a System 30 Characteristics of Systems 37
Defi nition of a System 30
PART TWO
Foundations of Small Group Communicating 47
CHAPTER 3
Communication Principles for Group Members 48
Communication: What’s That? 51 Communication Involves Content and
Communication Is Symbolic 51 Relationship Dimensions 55
Listening: Receiving, Interpreting,
Communication Is Personal 51
and Responding to Messages from Other
Communication Is a Transactional Process 52
Group Members 56
Shared Meaning Is the Responsibility of All
Listening Defi ned 56
Members 53
Contents ix
Listening Preferences 57 Nonverbal Communication in Small
Listening Actively 58 Groups 69
Creating Messages in a Small Principles of Nonverbal Communication 70
Group 62 Functions of Nonverbal Behaviors 71
Verbal Communication in Small Groups 63 Categories of Nonverbal Behaviors 74
Adjusting to the Symbolic Nature of Nonverbal Behavior in Computer-Mediated
Language 63 Groups 79
Organizing Remarks 65 Comparing Face-to-Face and Computer-
Be Sensitive to the Feelings of Others 67 Mediated Group Communication 80
Following the Rules of the Group 69
PART THREE
From Individuals to Group 85
CHAPTER 4
Becoming a Group 86
How Communication Structures the Small Rules and Norms 104
Group 88 Development of Group Norms 105
Challenges in Group Development 89 Enforcement of Group Norms 106
A Group’s Major Functions 89 Changing a Group Norm 107
Social Tensions in Groups 90 Development of a Group’s
Phase Models in Group Development 94 Climate 109
Group Socialization of Members 95 Trust 110
Stages of Group Socialization 96 Cohesiveness 112
Group Roles 99 Supportiveness 113
Types of Roles 99 Ethical Behavior during Group
Role Functions in a Small Group 99 Formation 115
The Emergence of Roles in a Group 102
Managing Group Roles 103
CHAPTER 5
Working with Diversity in the Small Group 118
What Is Diversity? 120 Gender Differences 138
Diverse Member Characteristics 122 Generational Differences 141
Differences in Motives for Joining a Working with Diversity/Bridging
Group 122 Differences 147
Diversity of Learning Styles 123 Creating a Group Identity through
Personality Differences 126 Fantasy 147
Cultural Diversity 130 Principles for Bridging Differences 149
Dimensions of Culture 130
Racial and Ethnic Differences 135
x CONTENTS
PART FOUR
Understanding and Improving Group Throughput Processes 155
CHAPTER 6
Creative and Critical Thinking in the Small Group 156
What Is Creative Thinking? 158 Enhancing Critical Thinking in a Group 167
Enhancing Group Creativity 161 Having the Right Attitude 169
Brainstorming 162 Gathering Information 171
Synectics 163 Evaluating Information 175
Mind Mapping 165 Checking for Errors in Reasoning 181
What Makes Thinking “Critical”? 167 Avoiding Groupthink 184
CHAPTER 7
Group Problem-Solving Procedures 192
A Systematic Procedure as the Basis Characteristics of Problems 198
for Problem Solving 195 Getting the Discussion Question Right 200
Capturing the Problem in Problem Effective Problem Solving and Decision
Solving 196 Making 204
How Do We Know a Problem When We The Procedural Model of Problem Solving
See One? 196 (P-MOPS) 205
Area of Freedom 197 Applications of P-MOPS 221
CHAPTER 8
Managing Confl icts Productively 226
What Is Confl ict? 228 Managing Confl ict in the Group 235
Myths about Confl ict 228 Confl ict Management Styles 235
Types of Confl ict 232 Expressing Disagreement Ethically 242
Task Confl ict 232 Maximizing Your Chances to Infl uence
Relational Confl ict 233 the Group 244
Confl ict Types and Computer-Mediated The Nominal Group Technique 245
Communication (CMC) 234 Steps in Principled Negotiation 247
CHAPTER 9
Applying Leadership Principles 252
Leadership and Leaders 254 Figuring Out the Dynamics of Leadership 262
What Is Leadership? 254 The Functional Concept of Group
Sources of Power and Infl uence 254 Leadership 262
What Is a Leader? 256 The Contingency Concept of Group
Leadership 263
Myths about Leadership 259