Using the guiding principle of balance, Working in Groups provides readers with practical strategies, built on theory and research, for communicating and working successfully in groups.   Looking at both how groups work and how to work in groups, this accessible and user-friendly books givesreaders the tools to apply group communication theories, methods, and skills–helping them become more effective and ethical group members.   Comprehensive, up-to-date coverageincludes traditional topics, from development and climate to leadership and problem solving, as well as key contemporary areas such as “team talk,” communication apprehension, group goal setting, group motivation, critical thinking and argumentation, and listening.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Group Communication Study Questions and Chapter Outline Succeeding in Groups Defining Group Communication The Nature of Group Communication Types of Groups Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups Balance: The Guiding Principle of Group Work Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: The Study Group Dilemma Group Work: It Was the Best of Groups; It Was the Worst of Groups Group Assessment: Essential Group Elements   Chapter 2: Group Development Study Questions and Chapter Outline Group Development Stages Group Goals Group Norms Characteristics of Effective Groups Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Nice to Meet You, Too Group Work: Classroom Norms Group Assessment: How Good Is Your Goal?   Chapter 3: Group Membership Study Questions and Chapter Outline Followership Member Needs Member Roles Member Confidence Member Assertiveness Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Taming Tony the Tiger Group Work: Meeting Member Needs Group Assessment: Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24)   Chapter 4: Group Diversity Study Questions and Chapter Outline Heterogeneous Groups Barriers to Understanding Others Personality Dimensions Cultural Dimensions Gender Dimensions    Generational Dimensions Religious Dimensions Balancing Group Diversity Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: No Offense Intended Group Work: Identifying Cultural Dialectics Group Assessment: Group Diversity Awareness Questionnaire   Chapter 5: Group Leadership Study Questions and Chapter Outline What Is Leadership? Leadership and Power Becoming a Leader Leadership Theories The 5M Model of Leadership Effectiveness Diversity and Leadership Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: The Leader in Sheep’s Clothing Group Work: The Least-Preferred-Coworker Scale Group Assessment: Are You Ready to Lead?   Chapter 6: Group Motivation Study Questions and Chapter Outline The Role of Motivation Member Motivation Group Motivation Assessment and Feedback Rewards Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Veni, Vidi, Vici Group Work: The Engagement Index Group Assessment: Group Motivation Inventory   Chapter 7: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline Two Essential Tools Language and Meaning Team Talk Language Challenges The Importance of Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Behavior The Nonverbal Environment Nonverbal Communication and Culture Creating a Supportive Communication Climate Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: How to Sink the Mayflower Group Work: Getting Emotional about Nonverbal Cues Group Assessment: Auditing Team Talk   Chapter 8: Listening in Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline The Challenge of Listening in Groups Types of Listening Group Roles and Listening Improving Listening Special Listening Challenges Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: A Message for Michael Group Work: Practice Paraphrasing Group Assessment: Student Listening Inventory   Chapter 9: Conflict and Cohesion in Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline Conflict in Groups Constructive and Destructive Conflict Conflict Styles Conflict Management Strategies Conflict and Member Diversity Group Cohesion Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Sociology in Trouble Group Work: “I Wish I’d . . . .” Conflict Awareness Log Group Assessment: Ross-DeWine Conflict Management Message Style Instrument   Chapter 10: Structured and Creative Problem Solving in Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline Group Decision Making Structured Problem Solving Creative Problem Solving Problem-Solving Realities Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: No More Horsing Around Group Work: What Is Your Decision-Making Style? Group Assessment: Problem-Solving Competencies   Chapter 11: Critical Thinking and Argumentation in Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline Critical Thinking and Argumentation Structuring Arguments Supporting Arguments Presenting Arguments Refuting Arguments Adapting to Argumentation Styles Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Slicing the Pie Group Work: Got Water? Group Assessment: Argumentativeness Scale   Chapter 12: Planning and Conducting Meetings Study Questions and Chapter Outline Meetings, Meetings, Meetings Planning and Chairing Meetings Adapting to Member Behavior Preparing the Minutes Using Parliamentary Procedure Evaluating the Meeting Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Monday Morning Blues Group Work: Disrupting Disruptive Behavior Group Assessment: Post-Meeting Reaction (PMR) Form   Chapter 13: Making Presentations in Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline Presentations in Groups Presentation Guidelines Group Presentations   Questions and Answers Presentation Aids Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Testing the Team Group Work: Re-envision the Visual Group Assessment: Presentation Rating Scale   Chapter 14: Technology and Virtual Groups Study Questions and Chapter Outline The Nature of Virtual Groups Synchronous Groupware Asynchronous Groupware Group Diversity and the Digital Divide Summary Study Guide Key Terms Critical Thinking about the Case Study: Virtual Misunderstanding Group Work: Match the Medium to the Message Group Assessment: Virtual Meeting Evaluation   Glossary   Web Chapter: Parliamentary Procedure Study Questions and Chapter Outline Using Parliamentary Procedure The Guiding Principles of Parliamentary Procedure The Parliamentary Players The Basic Rules of Parliamentary Procedure Informal Rules Balanced Procedures Summary Study Guide           Key Terms and Glossary Group Assessment: Parliamentary Procedure Assessment Instrument