M. Valerie Kent - Böcker

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the social-psychological literature on social interaction in small groups. Part I covers the influence of the physical situation, personalities, and social characteristics of the group members on the dynamics of the group. Part II covers the effect of the presence of others on pressures to conform experienced by group members. Part III includes chapters on roles, relationships, and leadership. Part IV reviews verbal and nonverbal communication, group decision making, and choice shift. Part V deals with cooperation, competition, and conflict resolution. Part VI discusses two types of external influence on the small group: the influence exerted by a larger group of which the smaller group is part, and the influence exerted by other groups with which the small group cooperates or competes.

This new volume covers studies and reviews published in the period 1975 to 1988. Its focus is not on the evaluation of current research, but rather it calls attention to available works that might be relevant for those wishing to do further research in a specified area. For this reason the editors refer to other reviews of parts of this literature that may provide a somewhat different perspective or that include citations selected on different criteria. When a study deals with more than one major variable or effect, it may be cited in several chapters.

This new volume covers studies and reviews published in the period 1975 to 1988. Its focus is not on the evaluation of current research, but rather it calls attention to available works that might be relevant for those wishing to do further research in a specified area. For this reason the editors refer to other reviews of parts of this literature that may provide a somewhat different perspective or that include citations selected on different criteria. When a study deals with more than one major variable or effect, it may be cited in several chapters.

Small group research is of particularly wide interest to people working in a fairly broad variety of areas concerned with understanding conflict, especially for practitioners and researchers concerned with conflict resolution, peace, and related areas.The editors will focus on six main topical areas of small group research, which include:- Cooperation, competition, and conflict resolution- Coalitions, bargaining, and games- Group dynamics and social cognition- The group and organization- Team performance- Intergroup relations