Working in Groups provides students with strategies for using theory and contemporary research findings to enhance group communication, group productivity, and member satisfaction. Using balance as a framework  for looking at how groups work and "how to" work in groups, Working in Groups imparts students with tools for successful communication in groups with the ability to relate group communication theories, methods, and tools to group goals and member needs.   Unique chapters, including Argumentation in Groups, Goal Setting and Motivation in Groups, and Confidence in Groups reflect contemporary research and real-world applications.   Exceptional  Instructor Resources written by the authors offer over 200 structured class activties, original textbook-based video case studies and discussion questions, and a faculty resource library.

Table of Contents:
&>I. Basic Group Concepts 1. Introduction to Group Communication Succeeding in Groups Defining Group Communication The Process of Group Communication Types of Groups Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups Balance: The Guiding Principle of Group Work GroupWork: It Was the Best of Groups; It Was the Worst of Groups GroupAssessment: Essential Group Elements 2. Group Development The Life Cycle of Groups Forming: Balancing Individual and Group Needs Storming: Balancing Conflict and Cohesion Norming: Balancing Conformity and Nonconformity Performing: Balancing Task and Maintenance Dimensions Adjourning: Balancing Engagement and Disengagement Balancing Needs, Norms, and Roles GroupWork: Classroom Norms GroupAssessment: Group Attraction Survey 3. Group Member Diversity Heterogeneous Groups Personality Dimensions Cultural Dimensions Gender Dimensions Generational Dimensions Balanced Diversity GroupWork: Personality Preferences Group Assessment: Identifying Cultural Dialectics II. Interaction Skills 4. Confidence in Groups Group and Member Confidence Communication Apprehension Strategies for High Apprehensives Strategies for Low Apprehensives Assertiveness Balancing Ability and Confidence GroupWork: Sorting the Symptoms Group Assessment: Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) 5. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in Groups Two Essential Tools Language and Meaning Team Talk Language Difficulties Adapting to Language Differences Improving Verbal Communication The Importance of Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Behavior The Nonverbal Environment Nonverbal Communication and Culture Creating a Supportive Communication Climate Balancing Language and Nonverbal Behavior GroupWork: Context, Context, Context Group Assessment: Auditing Team Talk 6. Listening in Groups The Challenge of Listening in Groups Types of Listening Group Roles and Listening Improving Listening Listening to Differences Taking Notes in Groups Self-Listening in Groups Balanced Listening GroupWork: Practice Paraphrasing GroupAssessment: Shafir's Self-Listening Test 7. Conflict and Cohesion in Groups Conflict in Groups Constructive and Destructive Conflict Conflict Styles Conflict Management Strategies Group Cohesion Adapting to Differences Balancing Conflict and Cohesion GroupWork: Win as Much as You Can Assessment: Ross-DeWine Conflict Management Message Style Instrument III. Achieving Group Goals 8. Group Leadership What Is Leadership? Leadership and Power Becoming a Leader Leadership Theories The 4M Model of Leadership Effectiveness Diversity and Leadership Balanced Leadership GroupWork: The Least-Preferred Coworker Scale GroupAssessment: Are You Ready to Lead? 9. Structured and Creative Problem Solving in Groups Group Decision Making The Need for Procedures Structured Problem Solving Creative Problem Solving Problem-Solving Realities Balanced Problem Solving GroupWork: Game Building Group Assessment: Problem-Solving Competencies 10. Argumentation in Groups Why Argue? Argumentativeness The Structure of an Argument Presenting Your Arguments Refuting Arguments Adapting to Argumentative Styles Balanced Argumentation GroupWork: Got Water? Assessment: Argumentativeness Scale 11. Goal Setting and Motivation in Groups Goal Setting Member Motivation Group Motivation Assessment and Feedback Rewards and Punishment Balancing Mission and Motivation GroupWork: Your Guiding Motive GroupAsssessment: Group Motivation Inventory IV. Participation Tools 12. Planning and Conducting Meetings Meetings, Meetings, Meetings Planning the Meeting Preparing the Agenda The Chairperson's Responsibilities Dealing with Difficulties Adapting to Difficult People Preparing the Minutes Evaluating the Meeting Balanced Meetings GroupWork: Meet the People Problems Group Assessment: Post-Meeting Reaction (PMR) Form 13. Making Presentations in Groups Presentations in Groups Presentation Guidelines Group Presentations Questions and Answers Presentation Aids Balanced Presentations GroupWork: A Practice Presentation Group Assessment: Presentation Rating Scale 14. Technology and Virtual Groups Technology and Group Communication Group Communication Media Groupware Collaborative Presentation Technology Group Diversity and the Digital Divide Balancing Technology in Groups GroupWork: Computer and Teleconference Simulation GroupAssessment: Virtual Meeting Evaluation Online Chapters A: Informed Groups Becoming a Well-Informed Group Note Your Sources Sources of Information Evaluating Information Using Information Effectively Balancing Information Quality and Quantity GroupWork: Research Scavenger Hunt GroupAssessment: Information Checklist B: Parliamentary Procedure The Rules of the Game Parliamentary Procedure's Principles and Players Basic Rules of Order Informal Rules Balanced Procedures GroupWork: The Mascot Debate GroupAssessment: Parliamentary Procedure Assessment Instrument