Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills

Katherine L. Adams is Professor of Speech Communication at California State University, Fresno, where she received a Meritorious Promise and Performance award in 1989. She has served as their Graduate Coordinator since 1989. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Utah under the direction of B. Aubrey Fisher. She has authored four instructors manuals in interpersonal and small group communication and most recently, this group communication book with Gloria Galanes. She has published articles in the areas of conversational analysis and interpersonal communication. Currently she is an associate editor for Communication Reports and The Western Journal of Communication. She participates, at all levels, in the Western States Communication Association and Speech Communication Association and teaches in the areas of interpersonal communication, communication theory, small group communication, and research methods. Gloria J. Galanes is Associate Professor of Communication and Mass Media at Southwest Missouri St. University and has received the Universitys Faculty Excellence in Teaching and the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member awards.

Table of Contents:Part 1: Orientation to Small Group SystemsChapter 1: Small Groups as the Heart of SocietyChapter 2: Groups as Structured Open SystemsPart 2: Foundations of Small Group CommunicatingChapter 3: Communication Principles for Group Members Part 3: From Individuals to GroupChapter 4: Becoming a GroupChapter 5: Working with Diversity in the Small Group Part 4: Understanding and Improving Group Throughput ProcessesChapter 6: Creative and Critical Thinking in the Small GroupChapter 7: Group Problem-Solving ProceduresChapter 8: Managing Conflicts ProductivelyChapter 9: Applying Leadership Principles Part 5: Small Group Public PresentationsChapter 10: Planning, Organizing and Presenting Small Group Oral Presentations Appendix: Techniques for Observing Small Groups