Joining Together

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