The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication

Scott A. Myers (PhD, Kent State University) is a professor and Peggy Rardin McConnell Chair in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University (WVU) where he teaches courses in instructional communication, organizational communication, and communication pedagogy. His research interests center primarily on the student-instructor relationship in the college classroom and the adult sibling relationship, with his research appearing in outlets such as Communication Education, Journal of Family Communication, Communication Research Reports, and Communication Quarterly, among others. At WVU, he was recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as a Woodburn Professor (2005–2007) and as an Outstanding Teacher in 2010. He is a former editor of Communication Teacher, a former executive director of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA), and a past president of CSCA.

"For the introductory group communication course, I believe this book would be an excellent choice. Too many small group communication textbooks focus on the group and not the individual in the group. It covers enough material but not in too much depth for a first-year student to understand the basics of small group communication. Additionally, I like the interpersonal approach this text takes in regards to the individual in the small group. Our students need to know how to ′act′ in a small group, and this book provides that direction. Moreover, I think the small case studies at the beginning of each chapter will encourage the student to actually read the chapter because they are interesting and relate to our students’ everyday lives."

• DedicationList of Tables, Figures, and Assessment ToolsAbout the AuthorsAcknowledgmentsPreface1. Components of Small Group CommunicationCase StudyDefinition of Small Group CommunicationPrimary Features of Small Group CommunicationSecondary Features of Small Group CommunicationTypes of Small GroupsEthics of Small Group MembershipA Final Note about Small Group CommunicationConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences2. The Small Group Socialization ProcessCase StudyWhy Individuals Join GroupsSmall Group SocializationModel of Small Group SocializationOutcomes of SocializationSocialization GuidelinesA Final Note about the Small Group Socialization ProcessConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences3. Small Group Member Communication and Personality TraitsCase StudyDefinition and Differentiation of TraitsCommunication TraitsPersonality TraitsCommunication and Personality Traits in the Small GroupA Final Note about Small Group Member TraitsConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences4. Diversity Among Small Group MembersCase StudyDefinition and Outcomes of DiversityCultural DiversityDemographic Diversity: Sex and GenderCognitive Diversity: Learning StylesCommunication Traits as a Reflection of DiversityA Final Note about Diversity among Small Group MembersConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences5. Models of Small Group DevelopmentCase StudyGroup DevelopmentDevelopmental ModelsCharacteristics of Group DevelopmentA Final Note about Small Group DevelopmentConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences6. Characteristics of Small Group TasksCase StudyCharacteristics of a TaskEngaging in Decision-Making and Problem-Solving TasksFunctional Perspective of Small Group CommunicationGroupthinkA Final Note about the Small Group TaskConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences7. Small Group Decision-Making ProceduresCase StudyDefinition of Decision-Making ProceduresTypes of Decision-Making ProceduresWhy Use Decision-Making Procedures?A Final Note about Small Group Decision-Making ProceduresConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences8. Development of Small Group RolesCase StudyFunctional Approach to RolesGeneral Propositions of RolesRole DevelopmentTypes of RolesA Final Note about Small Group RolesConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences9. Approaches to Small Group LeadershipCase StudyBeing a Leader vs. Sharing LeadershipClassic Leadership ApproachesPopular Communication Leadership ApproachesGuidelines to Enhance Leadership CompetenceA Final Note about Small Group LeadershipConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences10. Relational Communication among Small Group MembersCase StudyDefinition of Relational CommunicationVerbal and Nonverbal CommunicationFunctions of Verbal and Nonverbal CommunicationListeningA Final Note about Relational CommunicationConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences11. Conflict in the Small GroupCase StudyDefinition of ConflictTypes of Small Group ConflictConflict-Handling StylesGuidelines for Handling ConflictA Final Note about Small Group ConflictConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferences12. Cohesion and Climate in the Small GroupCase StudyThe Importance of CohesionDefinition of Communication ClimateHow Communication Climate is EstablishedTurning a Defensive Climate into a Supportive ClimateA Final Note about Cohesion and ClimateConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferencesAppendix A: Connecting Small Group Communication ConceptsCase StudyConnecting Textbook Content to Small Group InteractionsA Final Note about Connecting Small Group ConceptsConclusionDiscussion QuestionsAppendix B: Designing and Delivering Small Group PresentationsCase StudyDesigning the Small Group PresentationDelivering the Small Group PresentationA Final Note about Designing and Delivering the PresentationConclusionDiscussion QuestionsReferencesGlossary