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Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices, 8/E
Steven A. Beebe, Texas State University-San Marcos
John Masterson, Texas Lutheran University

ISBN-10: 0205449565
ISBN-13: 9780205449569

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paper; 400 pp
Published: 12/21/2004

Suggested retail price: $93.33
Not available for purchase at this time.

Known for its wealth of relevant, practical, and up-to-date information, Communicating in Small Groups continues to provide a balance of principles and applications of group communication.

With additional emphasis on teamwork, technology, and ethical collaboration, Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices helps students enhance their performance in groups and teams while also giving them insight as to why group and team members communicate as they do.

  • Each chapter concludes with a "Putting Principles into Practice" section that helps students apply what they have learned to real-life issues.   Chapter-end “Practice” sections include group role-playing games and activities that can easily be used in any classroom setting.
  • Extensive coverage of critical thinking, reasoning, and fallacies–including the latest research findings about the use of creative methods to solve problems–teaches students some of the best approaches for dealing with all types of situations that arise in a group environment.
  • Excellent discussion of the business world and more coverage and examples of business applications, leadership, and meetings provides students with information they can use outside of the classroom.
  • Increased coverage of new research and technology–including group and team deliberation and Internet research–gives students the most recent information available for these evolving topics.
  •  “Collaborating via Technology” feature helps students identify applications of collaboration, meetings, groups and teams, and technology. Web links to extra resources about groups and teams are included.
  • “Collaborating Ethically” feature provides either a mini case study or discussion and applications of ethics in group and team contexts that help students connect ethical principles with each aspect of working with others in groups and teams.
  • Expanded coverage of teams and teamwork in every chapter helps students apply principles and practices of groups to more coordinated collaborative team contexts. Tips for dealing with difficult group and team members give students strategies they can use.
  • Discussion of tools and techniques to help groups and teams structure problem-solving discussion provides more information about how to handle this common group situation effectively.

  • In response to reviewer’s suggestions, the text has a new organization that will provide a better introduction to group communication.   Part I (“Foundations of Group and Team Communication”) provides a solid theoretical framework for the study of groups and teams; Part II (“Managing Group and Team Relationships”) features coverage of group relationships, climate, communication skills, and conflict management; Part III (“Managing Group and Team Tasks”) presents classic content about group problem solving and decision making as well as principles and practices of leadership.  
  • Because creativity in the problem solving process is so important, this edition offers a new chapter on group and team creativity (CH 11, “Enhancing Creativity in Groups and Teams”), offering new information about the myths of creativity, barriers to creativity, and information about creative problem-solving techniques.
  • A new Chapter 6 , “Enhancing Group and Team Communication Skills”, distills information from several previous chapters into this new chapter that discusses group and team communication skills.   The incorporation of new coverage about listening, verbal communication, and nonverbal communication along with strategies to apply this information will help students become more competent communicators in groups and teams.  
  • A new feature, “Cutting-Edge Theory and Real-Life Applications”, helps students to connect group research and group performance.   The feature spotlights contemporary theory and research coupled with a discussion of “real-life applications”, so that students understand that the suggestions for enhancing group communication are anchored in research.  
  • Revised and expanded coverage of ethics challenge students to consider ethics implications of working in groups.   In addition to updated coverage throughout the text, a new feature “Collaborating Ethically: What Would You Do?” asks students to consider an ethical dilemma.  
  • Given the increased role of technology in helping groups and teams accomplish their work, the text has revised and expanded coverage of technology.   The power of technology is addressed in Chapter 1 and new research and applications of technology appear throughout the text.   The “Virtual Collaboration” feature now includes a comprehensive application of the latest research about technology to groups and teams.  
  • The assessment and evaluation of group communication has been improved with the inclusion of several new group and team assessment instruments at the end of many chapters.   These new instruments can help instructors extend and apply chapter content by help students see how to measure the importance of group communication skills.  
  • Due to the importance of culture and diversity in group communication, the text now offers extended coverage in Chapter 4, “Relating to Others in Groups and Teams” as well as weaving information and diversity issues throughout the text.  

I. Foundations of Group and Team Communication.

1. Introducing Group and Team Principles and Practices.

What Is Small Group Communication?

What about Teams?

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups and Teams?

Me Verses We.

Types of Small Groups.

What is Virtual Small Group Communication?

How Can You Become a Competent Small Group Communicator?


2. Small Group Communication Theory.

The Nature of Theory and the Theory-Building Process.

Theory: A Practical Approach to Group Communication.

A Case Study.

The Purpose of Communication in Small Groups: Making Sense.

Theoretical Perspectives for the Study of Group and Team Communication.

New Technologies and Small Group Communication Theory.

Describing Elements of Group and Team Communication.

3. Group Formation.

Why Do People Join Groups?

Interpersonal Needs.

Individual Goals.

Group and Team Goals.

Establishing Mutuality of Concern.

Interpersonal Attraction.

Group Attraction.

Homogeneity and Diversity in Groups.

Group Formation over Time.


II. Managing Group and Team Relationships

4. Relating to Others in Small Groups.

Roles.

Norms.

Status.

Power.

Trust.

The Development of Group Relationships over Time.

Culture.

Gender and Communication.


5. Improving Group Climate.

A Case Study.

Defensive Communication.

Defensive and Supportive Climates.

Interpersonal Confirmation and Disconfirmation.

Group Cohesiveness.

Communication Networks.

Group Size.

Group Climate and Productivity.


6. Enhancing Group and Team Communication Skills.

Verbal Dynamics in the Small Group.

Listening.

The Importance of Nonverbal Communication in Groups.

Applications of Nonverbal Communication Research to Groups and Teams.

Functions of Nonverbal Cues in Groups and Teams.

Interpreting Nonverbal Communication.

 

7. Managing Conflict.

What Is Conflict?

Types of Conflict?

Conflict and Diversity in Small Groups.

Conflict Management Styles.

Cooperative Conflict Management: Principles and Skills.

When People Are Not Cooperative: Dealing with Difficult Group Members.

Groupthink: Conflict Avoidance.

Consensus: Reaching Agreement through Communication.

8. Preparing to Collaborate.

Developing a Discussion Plan.

Formulating Discussion Questions.

Using Electronic Resources and the Library.

Using Logic and Reasoning.

Evaluating Evidence in Group Discussion.

Using Critical Analysis Skills: Avoiding Reasoning Fallacies.


9. Making Decisions and Solving Problems.

Group Decision Making: Choosing Among Alternatives.

Group Problem Solving: Overcoming Obstacles to Achieving a Goal.

Three Approaches to Group Problem Solving.

Cultural Assumptions about Group Problem Solving and Decision Making.

10. Using Problem-Solving Techniques.

An Overview of Prescriptive Problem-Solving Strategies.

Reflective Thinking: The Traditional Approach to Group Problem Solving.

Question-Oriented Approaches to Problem Solving.

Beyond Technique.

11. Enhancing Creativity in Groups and Teams.

What Is Creativity?

Why Study Creativity?

Myths about Creativity?

Barriers to Group and Team Creativity.

Principles of Group and Team Creativity.

Brainstorming.

Essential Group Communication Competencies.

 
12. Leadership.

What Is Leadership?

Trait Perspective: Characteristics of Effective Leaders.

Functional Perspective: Group Needs and Roles.

Situational Perspective: Adapting Style to Context.

Transformational Leadership.

Emergent Leadership in Small Groups.

Leadership Training.


Appendix A: Principles and Practices of Effective Meetings.

Giving Meetings Structure.

Becoming a Meeting Facilitator:   Managing Group and Team Interaction.

How to Lead Meetings.

How to Participate in Meetings.

 

Appendix B: Principles and Practices of Communicating to an Audience.

Panel Discussions.

Symposium Presentations.

Forum Presentations.

Planning What to Say to an Audience.

Presenting Information to an Audience.

Glossary.

Index.

    Known for its wealth of relevant, practical, and up-to-date information, Communicating in Small Groups provides a balance of principles and applications of group communication. With an emphasis on teamwork, technology, and ethical collaboration, the 9th edition of Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices helps students enhance their performance in groups and teams, while also giving them insight in to why group and team members communicate as they do.
  • 0205547214Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices, 9/E
    Beebe & Masterson
    © 2009 | Allyn & Bacon | Paper; 400 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205547214 | ISBN-13: 9780205547210
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

Praise for Beebe & Masterson's Communicating in Small Groups

“While covering communication in small groups, the text does a nice job of balancing group processes and group theory. By incorporating emphases on diversity, ethics, logic, and critical thinking also, this text broadly serves its users.”
—Dr. Rock Doddridge, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

“The combination of a straightforward writing style, attention to theory, and concern for practice make this a very accessible and useful book for undergraduate students.”
—Daniel Modaff, Ohio University

“The hands on exercises are important for helping students apply the theory to reality.”
—Valerie Manno Giroux, University of Miami

“The book is well written, filled with valuable conclusions from research, and addressed central concerns in an interesting way.”
—Robert D. Harrison, Gallaudet University

“ The book covers concepts and theories well without overwhelming students with concepts they won't need in a first-level course.”
—Mary-Jo Popovici, Monroe Community College

“The ethical questions raised throughout the book really add a lot. The critical thinking material is the best I have seen in any group text.”
—Marshall Scott Poole, Texas A&M University

“ There is an appropriate balance between recognizing that decision making and problem solving are distinct processes, while also realizing that they have essential elements in common.”
—Thomas G. Endres University of St. Thomas

“I'm especially pleased to see an entire chapter devoted to diversity rather than writing a paragraph at the end of the book that no one would read.”
—Karen M. Coffey, Monroe Community College

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

 

For Small Group Communication


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