communicating in groups: applications and...
TRANSCRIPT
COMMUNICATING IN GROUPS: APPLICATIONS AND SKILLS
Third Edition
Gloria J. Galanes Southwest Missouri state University
John K. Brilhart Southwest Missouri state University
Boston, Massachusetts Burr Ridge, Illinios Dubuque, Iowa Madison, Wisconsin New York, New York San Francisco, California St Louis, Missouri
mmrems
Preface xiii
A R T O N E
Orientation to Small Group Systems
C H A P T E R 1
Small Groups ds the Heart oF Society 2
Groups in Your Life 5 Groups as Problem Solvers 6 Participating in Groups 6
Groups Versus Individuals as Problem Solvers 7
When a Group Is a Good Choice 9 When a Group Is Not a Good Choice 9
Groups, Small Groups, and Small Group Theory 11
Groups 11 Small Groups 12 Group Dynamics 13 Communication 13 Small Group Communication 14
Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose 14
Primary or Secondary Groups 14 Primary Groups 15 Secondary Groups 15
Types of Secondary Groups 15 Learning Groups 15 Organizational Groups 16
Being a Valuable Group Member 18 Being an Ethical Group Member 19 The Participant-Observer Perspective 20 Summary 21 Review Questions 22 Bibliography 22 References 23
C H A P T E R 2
Groups as Structured Open Systems 24
Overview of General Systems Theory 26 The Small Group as a System 27
Definition of a System 27 Concepts Vital to Understanding
Systems 28 Inputs 29 Throughput Processes 29 Outputs 31 Environment 31
Characteristics of Systems 32 Open and Closed Systems 32 Interdependence 34 Feedback 34 Multiple Causes, Multiple Paths 35 Nonsummativity 36
Life Cycles in the System 36 Organizations as Systems of Groups 37 Summary 39 Review Questions 40 Bibliography 40 References 40
vii
Foundation^ Small Group Communicating
C H A P T E R 3 Interpersonal Communication
Principles for Group Members u
communication: What's That? 45 implications for Small Group
Communication 49 Listening: Receiving, Interpreting, and
Responding to Messages from Other Group Members 51
Listening Defined 51 The Effects of Culture on the
Communication Process 52 Habits of Poor Listeners 57 Listening Actively 58 Focused Listening 60
Summary 61 Review Questions 62 Bibliography 62 References 63
C H A P T E R 4 Verbal and Nonverbal Messages 64
Creating Messages in a Small Group 67 How Communication structures the Small
Group 67 Using Language to Help the Group
Progress 68 Follow the Rules 69 Adjust to the Symbolic Nature of
Language 70 Use Emotive Words Cautiously 72 Organize Remarks 74 Make Sure the Discussion Question Is
Clear and Appropriate 76 Nonverbal Signals in Small Group
Communication 80 Principles of Nonverbal
Communication 80
Functions of Nonverbal Signals 82
Appearance 83 Space and Seating 83 Facial Expressions and Eye
Contact 84 Movements 85 Voice 86 Timing 86
Summary 87 Review Questions 88 Bibliography 88 References 88
C H A P T E R 5 Critical Thinking in the Small Group 90
What Makes Thinking "Critical"? 92 When Is Critical Thinking Appropriate? 94
Attitudes 95 Gathering Information 97
Assessing Information Needs 97 Collecting Needed Resources 98
Evaluating Information 100 Determining the Meaning of What Is
Being Said 101 Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
and Inference 102 Identifying and Clarifying Ambiguous
Terms 103 Evaluating Opinions by Determining
the Credibility of the Source 104 Assessing the Accuracy and Worth
of the Information 104 Checking for Errors in Reasoning 106
Overgeneralizing 107 Attacking a Person Instead of the
Argument 108 Confusing Causal Relationships 108 Either-or Thinking 109 Incomplete Comparisons 109 Begging the Question 110
Asking Probing Questions 111 Behaviors Counterproductive to Critical
Thinking 112 Impulsiveness 112
viii Contents
Overdependence on Personal Experience 113
Overdependence on Authority Figures 113
Lack of Confidence 114 Dogmatic, Inflexible Behavior 114 Unwillingness to Make the Effort to
Think Critically 115 Summary 116 Review Questions 116 Bibliography 117 References 117
P A R l T H R E E
Understanding and Improving Group Throughput Processes
C H A P T E R 6
Becoming d Group 120
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Tensions 122
Phases in the Development of a Group 125
Rules and Norms 127 Development of Group Norms 128 Enforcement of Group Norms 130 Changing a Group Norm 132
Group Roles 132 Types of Roles 133 Role Functions in a Small Group 134 The Emergence of Roles in a
Group 137 Development of the Group's Culture 139
Fantasy Themes 139 Group Climate 141
Trust 141 Cohesiveness 142 Supportiveness 144
Summary 145 Review Questions 146 Bibliography 146 References 147
C H A P T E R 7 Perspectives on
Leading Small Groups 148
Leadership and Leaders 151 Leadership and Sources of Power in
the Small Group 151 Leaders 154
Designated Leader 154 Emergent Leader 155
Myths About Leadership 156 Current Ideas About Leadership 159
The Functional Concept of Group Leadership 160
Leader as Completer 161 The Contingency Concept of Group
Leadership 161 Distributed Leadership 164
Summary 165 Review Questions 166 Bibliography 166 References 167
C H A P T E R 8
Applying Leadership Principles 168
What Groups Expect Leaders to Do 170 Performing Administrative Duties 171
Planning for Meetings 171 Following Up on Meetings 173
Leading Group Discussions 173 Initiating Discussions 173 Structuring Discussions 175 Equalizing Opportunity to
Participate 177 Stimulating Creative Thinking 178 Stimulating Critical Thinking 179 Fostering Meeting-to-Meeting
Improvement 180 Developing the Group 181
Establishing a Climate of Trust 181 Developing Teamwork and
Promoting Cooperation 182
Contents ix
Managing the Group's Written Communication 183
Personal Notes 183 Group Records 183 Written Notices and Visuals 185 Reports and Resolutions 187
Encouraging Distributed Leadership 188 Ethical Guidelines for Group Leaders 190 Summary 192 Review Questions 192 Bibliography 193 References 193
C H A P T E R 9 Procedures For a
Problem-Solving Group 194
Scientific Method as the Basis for Problem Solving 198
Characteristics of Problems 199 Definition of Problem 199 Problem Solving Versus Decision
Making 200 Problem Characteristics 201
Task Difficulty 201 Solution Multiplicity 201 Intrinsic Interest 201 Member Familiarity 201 Acceptance Level 202 Area of Freedom 203
The Procedural Model of Problem Solving (P-MOPS) 203
1. Describing and Analyzing the Problem 205
2. Generating and Explaining Possible Solutions 207
3. Evaluating Possible Solutions 207 Criteria for Evaluating Solutions 208 Narrowing a Long List of Proposed
Solutions 209 Charting the Pros and Cons 209
4. Deciding on a Solution 209 5. Planning How to Implement the
Solution 212 Applications of P-MOPS 212
Summary 215 Review Questions 216 Bibliography 216 References 216
C H A P T E R 1 0 Managing Conflicts Productively 218
What Is Conflict? 221 Myths About Conflict 221 Groupthink 224
Symptoms of Groupthink 225 Preventing Groupthink 227
Managing Conflict in the Group 229 Conflict Management styles 230
Avoidance 231 Accommodation 232 Competition 232 Collaboration 233 Compromise 233
Expressing Disagreement 234 Maximizing Your Chances to Influence
the Group 236 Steps in Principled Negotiation 237 Breaking a Deadlock 240
Principled Negotiation by the Leader or Outside Facilitator 240
Third Party Arbitration 241 Summary 242 Review Questions 243 Bibliography 243 References 243
Special Techniques For Small Groups
C H A P T E R 11 Group Techniques in Organizations 246
Generating Information and Ideas 249 Focus Groups 249 Buzz Groups 250
X Contents
Enhancing Group Creativity 253 Brainstorming 253 Synectics 256
identifying Problems 256 Problem Census 257 RISK Technique 259
Solving Problems and Making Decisions Effectively 259
Nominal Group Technique 260 Group Support Systems 263
Implementing Group Solutions 264 Improving Organizational
Effectiveness 265 Quality Circles 265 Self-Managed Work Teams 268 Teambuilding 269
When Members Cannot Meet Face-to-Face 270
Delphi Technique 271 Teleconferencing 273
Summary 274 Review Questions 275 Bibliography 276 References 276
C H A P T E R 1 2
Techniques for Observing Problem-Solving Groups 278
The Role of the Observer 280 Observation Instruments and
Techniques 283 Verbal Interaction Analysis 283 Content Analysis Procedures 285 SYMLOG 288 Member/Observer Rating Scales 291
Rating Scales for General Evaluation 291
Postmeeting Reaction Forms 293 Evaluating Individual
Participants 294 Evaluating Group Leadership 297
Summary 301 Review Questions 301 References 301
Index 303
Contents xi