This best-selling text is a broad, integrative overview of group dynamics presented in a well researched, readable, and experiential format. 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. More than a textbook, Joining Together illustrates how this knowledge and mastery of skills creates choices, opportunities, and successes for each individual. No competing text offers the scope of coverage and the range of experiential exercises of Joining Together

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