Effective group discussion : theory and practice

Preface

T he challenge of incorporating important new information without increasing the length of the text continues with this 15th edition. We have worked hard to remove redundancies and to streamline the information with the goal of updating the text without lengthening it.

Our focus continues to be communication: how communication creates, maintains, and changes a group through interaction among members and with the group's environment. We encourage members and leaders to employ effective and ethical principles of communication, so their group experiences are as rewarding as they can be. We continue to highlight bona fide group theory, which we believe has contributed significantly to our understanding of how real-world groups actually work. We also note that the technology available to help groups has become much more affordable and accessible than when we first started writing. To that end, we discuss groups not as either face-to-face or virtual, but as entities that can use a variety of technologies to assist their work and as existing on a continuum from purely face-to-face to purely virtual. We incorporate information about technology throughout the text.

When our students complete their study of small groups, we hope they will know how to use the information and tools we present to understand why one group is satisfying and another feels like torture. Most important of all, we hope they will understand what they can do about it. Thus, as with previous editions, this book is based in current research; our advice to students stems from what we know about communication and small groups.

Effective Group Discussion focuses on secondary groups, such as work groups, committees, task forces, self-directed work teams, and other small groups including virtual ones with tasks to complete. The text provides practical tips and also serves well as a reference source for advanced communication students, consultants, or group leaders.

Overview

Generally, the chapters move the discussion from group systems inputs to throughput processes to outcomes. Instructors have the flexibility to skim or skip chapters or cover them in a different order. For instance, a section in Chapter 2 covers basic communication theory for students without a previous communication course, but this section can be skimmed quickly if it reviews material students already know.

Part I presents an overview of small group and human communication theory. Chapter 1 introduces several ideas developed in subsequent chapters: the importance of small groups in our lives, types of groups, how many groups use technology, what constitutes ethical behavior, and why members should become participant-observers xii Preface in their groups. Chapter 2 presents the basics of communication theory that serve as the foundation for studying small groups. In Chapter 3, we present systems theory as the organizing framework used throughout the text.

Part II begins the discussion of group developing by focusing on the members, the main small group inputs. Chapter 4 introduces the importance of diversity and the contribution that members' cultures and co-cultures make to that diversity. Chapter 5 discusses how member characteristics contribute to the roles that members play in groups, including an enhanced section about the relationship of the "Big Five" personality characteristics from psychology to what happens in small groups.

Part III focuses on the development of the group as an entity by presenting information about a variety of throughput processes. Chapter 6 consolidates logically the information about norms, fantasy themes, and cohesiveness. Chapters 7 and 8 are companion leadership chapters. Chapter 7 focuses on the theoretical concepts necessary to understanding leadership, and Chapter 8 provides practical suggestions for group leaders.

Part IV discusses the importance of having appropriate problem-solving and decision-making processes to improve the quality of group outputs. As with leadership, Chapters 9 and 10 are paired, with Chapter 9 providing conceptual information for understanding problem solving and decision making and Chapter 10 providing specific suggestions and techniques for improving problem-solving and decision-making processes. Chapter 11 focuses on how conflict, if managed well, can improve group outputs.

In Part V, Chapter 12 presents tools for assessing and improving small groups. Users of the text told us they preferred to have this chapter placed at the end, following discussions of theories and concepts. However, these tools and assessments can easily be used throughout the text to enhance discussion of concepts, if instructors prefer.

There are two appendices to this edition. Appendix A guides members in how to gather and organize their informational resources in preparation for problem solving and decision making. Although this information conceptually precedes Chapters 9 and 10, most upper-division students already know how to gather information. Appendix B discusses the public presentation of a group's work, including how to organize presentations so the information is presented smoothly and seamlessly. In the previous edition, we incorporated a third appendix covering technology in groups; this material is integrated throughout the text, so we removed this appendix.

New Edition Changes

This 15th edition of Effective Group Discussion retains the reorganization of the 14th edition, which fits the way many instructors have told us they prefer to teach.

■ We have retained our research base, have consolidated conceptual information where possible, removed material and examples that seemed redundant or out-of-date, and added current theoretical information.

■ We have integrated each chapter's opening case more thoroughly with the information presented throughout the chapter.

■ Small group techniques are integrated throughout the text so that students can more readily link the concepts to the techniques.

■ We have sharpened our focus on communication to emphasize its centrality to groups, as members mutually negotiate shared meaning.

■ We have continued to develop our discussion of technological issues, grounding our discussions on the idea of a continuum of technological use, from purely face-to-face to purely virtual.

■ We have incorporated information about the "Big Five" personality characteristics, from psychology, to describe their impact on the communication behavior of small group members.

■ We have sharpened and strengthened our discussion of ethics throughout the text.

■ Information about leadership and problem solving/decision making can be overwhelming. We kept the companion chapters devoted to each topic from the 14th edition. The first provides theoretical and conceptual information and the second provides more practical information, techniques, and tips.

■ We have retained the Recap boxes placed throughout the chapters.

■ As always, we have updated this edition with the most current research available.

Features

Case Studies: Each chapter begins with a case study illustrating that chapter's main points. These are real-life stories designed to help students retain key concepts and understand how that chapter's information is relevant to the real world. We link these case studies explicitly to information presented throughout the chapter.

Recap Boxes: We have placed Recap boxes-internal summaries-throughout each chapter. They provide logical "breathing places" for students to review what they have learned.

Emphasis on Diversity:

The importance of diversity and intercultural communication cannot be overemphasized! In addition to a chapter devoted to this topic, relevant information about diversity is distributed throughout the text, and we have provided a more global perspective that reflects our changing world.

Learning Aids: Each chapter includes learning objectives and margin key terms, which are boldfaced in the text. The end of chapter material includes Questions for Review and a Bibliography that provides additional reading material. The Glossary at the end of the text provides definitions of all key terms.

Connect provides online activities for students that supplement the topics in the chapter. Tools and activities include interactive quizzes and lecture slides.