About the Authors

Preface

I:  Basic Group Concepts

Chapter 1: Introducing Group Communication

1.1  Why Study Group Communication?

1.2  The Art of Communication

1.3  Communication in Context

1.4  Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups

         1.5   The Impact of Social Media on Group Communication

Chapter 2: Theory of Group Communication

2.1  What Is a Group?

2.2  Group Life Cycles and Member Roles

2.3  Why Communicate in Groups?

2.4  What Is a Theory?

2.5  Group Communication Theory

Chapter 3: Listening in Groups

3.1 Listening to Understand

3.2 Types of Listening

3.3 Group Members and Listening

3.4 Strategies to Improve Listening in Groups

3.5 Summary

II:  The Group Process

Chapter 4: Group Development

4.1  Group Life Cycles

4.2  The Life Cycle of Member Roles

4.3  Why People Join Groups

4.4  Principles of Self-Disclosure

4.5  Group Norms

4.6  Summary

Chapter 5: Group Membership

5.1  Introducing Member Roles

5.2 Norms among Group Members

5.3 Status

5.4 Trust

5.5 Membership in Digital Groups

5.6 Summary

Chapter 6: Group Leadership

6.1  What is Leadership?

6.2  Leadership Theories

6.3  Becoming a Leader

6.4  Teamwork and Leadership

6.4  Summary

Chapter 7: Group Motivation

7.1 Group Motivation and Collaboration

7.2 Role of Motivation

7.3 Effective Motivation Strategies

7.4 Effective Collaboration Strategies

7.5 Feedback and Assessment

7.6 Summary

III:  Special Topics in Group Work

Chapter 8: Verbal Group Interaction

8.1 Principles of Verbal Communication..

8.2 Language Can Be an Obstacle to Communication

8.3 Improving Verbal Communication

8.4 Summary

Chapter 9: Nonverbal Group Interaction

9.1 Principles of Nonverbal Communication

9.2 Types of Nonverbal Communication

9.3 Summary

Chapter 10: Group Communication Across Culture

10.1 Intercultural Communication

10.2 How to Understand Intercultural Communication

10.3 Common Cultural Characteristics

10.4 Divergent Cultural Characteristics

10.5 Summary

Chapter 11: Managing Conflict

11.1 What Is Conflict?

11.2 Leadership and Conflict

11.3 Conflict Is Normal

11.4 Conflict Styles

11.5 Conflict in the Work Environment

11.6 Effective Conflict Management Strategies

11.7 Summary

Chapter 12: Groups and Problem-Solving

12.1 Group Problem-Solving

12.2 Group Decision-Making

12.3 Facilitating the Task-Oriented Group

12.4 Summary