Written for the small group communication course, "Effective Group Discussion" combines the research findings relevant to understanding small groups with the practical tools students need to become productive group members. This texts implementation of research and theory in the systems approach framework provide students with an understanding of the scholarship in this field. This text is about secondary groups of all kinds: work groups, committees, task forces, self-directed work teams, and other small groups whose objectives include finding solutions to problems, producing goods, and creating policies. The chapter discussing different personality types has been expanded, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator explains how different personality types interact in groups together. The case study found in each chapter illustrates major points to be found later in the chapter.
Part 1 Introduction to the study of small groups: the small groups in everyones life; the small group as a system. Part 2 The foundations of communicating in groups: human communication processes in small groups; verbal and nonverbal signals in small group communication; the effects of culture on small group communication. Part 3 Developing the small group: the members; from individual to group - norms and roles; from individuals to group - fantasy and cohesiveness; perspective on leadership in small groups; serving as designated leader. Part 4 Effective problem solving in the small group; problem solving discussion; decision making in small groups; managing conflict in the small group. Part 5 Group discussion and observation techniques: special discussion techniques and methods; observing group discussions. Appendices: making public presentations of the groups output; informational resources for the group.