Joining together : group theory and group skills

This text introduces readers to the theory and research findings needed to understand how to make groups effective, and it helps build the skills required to apply that knowledge in practical situations.

Preface	p. xv
1 Group Dynamics	p. 1
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 1
Group Dynamics and Me	p. 1
What Is a Group?	p. 5
The Importance of Groups	p. 11
Group Structure	p. 14
Creating Productive Groups	p. 18
How to Create an Effective Group	p. 24
The Development of Groups Over Time	p. 27
The Field of Group Dynamics	p. 34
The Nature of This Book and How to Use It	p. 40
Summary	p. 43
2 Experiential Learning	p. 44
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 45
Procedural Learning	p. 45
Action Theories	p. 46
Gaining Expertise Through Experiential Learning	p. 48
Experiential Learning and Motivation	p. 52
Learning Group Skills	p. 53
Role Playing	p. 55
Learning How to Be a Participant-Observer	p. 56
Conducting Skill-Training Exercises	p. 59
Ethics of Experiential Learning	p. 63
Summary	p. 65
3 Group Goals, Social Interdependence, and Trust	p. 66
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 67
Introduction	p. 67
What Is a Goal?	p. 70
START Goals	p. 73
Clarity of Goals	p. 76
Operational Goals	p. 76
Group Goals and Level of Aspiration	p. 77
Dealing with Hidden Agendas	p. 78
Helping Groups Set Effective Goals	p. 79
Group Goals and Social Interdependence Among Members	p. 88
Outcomes of Social Interdependence	p. 94
Effort to Achieve and Produce	p. 95
Reciprocal Relationships Among the Three Outcomes	p. 104
Mediating Variables: The Basic Elements of Cooperation	p. 106
The Stability of Cooperation	p. 113
Goal Structures and the Allocation of Benefits Among Group Members	p. 113
Mixed-Motive Situations	p. 115
Developing and Maintaining Trust	p. 122
Summary	p. 129
4 Communication Within Groups	p. 130
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 131
Introduction and Definitions	p. 131
Group Communication	p. 133
Sending and Receiving Messages	p. 136
Communication in a Problem-Solving Group	p. 146
Interaction Analysis	p. 147
Communication Networks	p. 155
Communication Patterns in an Authority Hierarchy	p. 156
Influences on Effectiveness of Group Communication	p. 161
Effects of Cooperation and Competition on Communication	p. 161
Physical Influences on Communication	p. 163
Seating Arrangements	p. 163
Humor	p. 164
Summary	p. 165
5 Leadership	p. 166
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 167
What Is Leadership?	p. 167
Trait Theories of Leadership	p. 177
Leadership Styles	p. 183
Influence Theory of Leadership	p. 185
Role Position/Group Structure Approach to Leadership	p. 186
Situational Theories of Leadership	p. 191
Organizational Leadership	p. 200
What If You Do Not Want to Be a Leader?	p. 203
Summary	p. 215
6 Using Power	p. 216
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 217
Introduction	p. 218
What Is Power?	p. 221
The Dynamic Interdependence View of Power	p. 223
Mobilizing Power to Achieve Goals	p. 227
The Trait Factor Approach to Power	p. 230
The Bases of Power	p. 232
Conflict Model of Social Influence	p. 235
Power and Problem Solving	p. 238
Unequal Power	p. 241
Group Norms: Indirect Power	p. 254
The Group Mind	p. 259
Individual Versus Relationship Perspectives	p. 262
Summary	p. 262
7 Decision Making	p. 264
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 265
Making Effective Decisions	p. 265
Individual Versus Group Decision Making	p. 268
Methods of Decision Making	p. 282
Factors Enhancing Group Decision Making	p. 289
Factors Hindering Group Decision Making	p. 289
Considered and Thoughtful Decision Making	p. 304
Problems with Theorizing on Decision Making	p. 311
Summary	p. 317
8 Controversy and Creativity	p. 318
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 319
Controversy and Decision Making	p. 323
The Avoidance of Controversy	p. 327
Outcomes of Controversy	p. 338
Creativity	p. 340
Process of Controversy	p. 341
Conditions Determining the Constructiveness of Controversy	p. 345
Minority Influence, Controversy, and Decision Making	p. 347
Structuring Constructive Controversies	p. 349
Being a Citizen in a Democracy	p. 351
Creative Problem Solving	p. 353
Developing and Fostering Creativity	p. 355
Open versus Closed Belief Systems	p. 358
Brainstorming	p. 359
Summary	p. 364
9 Managing Conflicts of Interest	p. 366
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 367
Conflict-Positive Groups	p. 367
Nature of Conflicts of Interest	p. 368
Conflicts Can Be Destructive or Constructive	p. 369
Conflict and Aggression	p. 370
Conflict Management Strategies: What Are You Like?	p. 373
Controlling the Occurrence of Conflicts	p. 377
The Nature of Negotiations	p. 378
Two Types of Negotiating	p. 385
The Integrative Negotiating Procedure	p. 390
Defining the Conflict as a Mutual Problem	p. 393
Try, Try Again	p. 407
Negotiating in Good Faith	p. 410
Refusal Skills: This Issue Is Non-Negotiable	p. 411
Intergroup Conflict	p. 419
Third-Party Mediation	p. 435
Summary	p. 436
10 Valuing Diversity	p. 438
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 439
Introduction	p. 442
Sources of Diversity	p. 443
The Importance of Managing Diversity	p. 444
The Value of Diversity	p. 445
Barriers to Interacting with Diverse Peers	p. 451
Making Member Diversity a Strength	p. 460
Summary	p. 464
11 Cooperative Learning in the Classroom	p. 472
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 473
Nature of Cooperative Learning	p. 473
Formal Cooperative Learning: Being A "Guide on the Side" 477
Preinstructional Decisions	p. 479
Explaining the Task and Cooperative Structure	p. 484
Monitoring and Intervening	p. 486
Evaluating Learning and Processing Interaction	p. 488
Informal Cooperative Learning Groups	p. 490
Using Informal Cooperative Learning	p. 491
Base Groups	p. 493
Integrated Use of All Three Goal Structures	p. 494
The Cooperative School	p. 497
Summary	p. 498
12 Leading Growth and Counseling Groups	p. 500
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 501
Introduction	p. 501
Types of Therapeutic Groups	p. 501
The Unique Power of Group Experiences	p. 508
Importance of Disclosing Emotions	p. 513
Leading a Growth Group	p. 515
Conceptual Frameworks, Feelings, and Intuition	p. 520
Growth Groups and Participant Anxiety	p. 522
Costs of Growth and Therapy Groups	p. 522
Comparative Effectiveness	p. 522
Summary	p. 523
13 Team Development, Team Training	p. 524
Basic Concepts to Be Covered in This Chapter	p. 525
Introduction	p. 525
What Is a Team?	p. 526
Organizational Context	p. 530
Building Productive Teams	p. 536
Assessing Quality of Work	p. 540
Use of Teams in Training Programs	p. 547
Total Quality Management	p. 548
Dealing with Problem Behaviors in Teams	p. 551
Summary	p. 552
14 Epilogue	p. 554
Guidelines for Creating Effective Groups	p. 555
Learning Group Skills	p. 557
Summary	p. 559
Appendix: Answers	p. 560
Glossary	p. 572
References	p. 585
Name Index	p. 623
Subject Index	p. 634
Credits	p. 654

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