Part One: Orientation to Small Group Systems1. Small Groups as the Heart of SocietyGroups in Your LifeGroups versus Individuals as Problem Solvers Groups, Small Groups, and Small Group CommunicationClassifying Groups by their Major PurposeBeing a Valuable Group MemberBeing and Ethical Group MemberThe Participant-Observer Perspective2. Groups as Structured Open SystemsOverview of General Systems TheoryThe Small Group as a SystemOrganizations as Systems of Groups
Part Two: Foundations of Small Group Communicating.3. Communication Principles for Group MembersCommunication: What's That?Implications for Small Group CommunicationListening: Receiving, Interpreting, and Responding to Messages from Other Group Members4. Verbal and Nonverbal Message Use in Small Group CommunicationCreating Messages in a Small GroupHow Communication Structures the Small GroupUsing Language to Help the Group ProgressNonverbal Messages in Small Group CommunicationComputer-Mediated Communication and Group Messages
Part Three: Individuals to Group5. Becoming a GroupThe Life Cycle of a Group Phases and Social Tensions in the Development of a Group Group Socialization of Members Group Roles Rules and Norms Development of a Group's Climate6. Working with Diversity in the Small GroupWhat is Diversity?Celebrating Diversity/Bridging Differences
Part Four: Understanding and Improving Group Throughput Processes7. Creative and Critical Thinking in the Small GroupWhat Is Creative Thinking?Enhancing Group CreativityWhat Makes Thinking "Critical"?Enhancing Critical Thinking in a Group8. Group Problem-Solving ProceduresA Systematic Procedure as the Basis for Problem SolvingWhat Is a Problem?Effective Problem Solving and Decision MakingThe Procedural Model of Problem Solving (P-MOPS)Applications of P-MOPS9. Managing Conflicts ProductivelyWhat is Conflict?Myths about ConflictManaging Conflict in the Group10. Applying Leadership PrinciplesLeadership and LeadersMyths about LeadershipCurrent Ideas about LeadershipWhat Good Leaders DoEncouraging Distributed LeadershipEthical Guidelines for Group Leaders
Part Five: Small Group Public Presentations11. Planning, Organizing, and Presenting Small Group Oral PresentationsThe Planning StageThe Organizing StageThe Presenting StageWhat Makes a Good Oral Presentation?Appendix: Techniques for Observing Problem-Solving GroupsReferencesBibliographyIndex