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Group Communication Textbooks Listed chronologically, then alphabetical by first author, annotations are linked, table of contents also available for edited works

NOTE: The listing below is incomplete and has not been updated since 2003. If you are looking for more recent publications to use in a Group Communication course, check out our Members' Bibliography.

2003

Cragan, John F., Wright, David W, and Kasch, Chris R.(2003). Communication in small groups: Theory, process, skills (6th Ed.). Wadsworth.

Hirokawa, R. Y., Cathcart, R. S., Samovar, L. A., and Henman, L. D. (2003). Small Group Communication: Theory and Practice (an Anthology) (8th Ed). Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company.

2002

Frey, L. R. (Ed.). (2002). Group communication in context: Studies of bona fide groups (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Frey, L. R. (Ed.). (2002). New directions in group communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Hoover, J. D. (2002). Effective Small Group and Team Communication. Wadsworth/Thompson; 2002.

Keyton, J. (2002). Communicating in groups: Building Relationships for effective decision making. Boston: McGraw Hill. website <http://www.people.ku.edu/~jkeyton/grptext/>

2001

Brilhart, John K.; Galanes, Gloria J., and Adams, Katherine L. Effective group discussion: Theory and Practice (10th ed.). McGraw Hill; 2001; ISBN: 0-07-231568-7 / 2001 / Softcover / 448 pages.

Young, K.S, Wood, J.T., Phillips, G.M., and Pedersen, D.J. (2001). Group Discussion: A Practical Guide to Participation and Leadership, 3rd ed. Illinois: Waveland Press. ISBN # 1-57766-093-5

2000

Beebe, Steven A. and Masterson, John T. Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices (6th ed.). Longman Books; 2000; ISBN: 389 pp./ Paper / ISBN 0-321-03648-4.

Engleberg, Isa and Wynn, Dianna. Working in groups: Communication principles and strategies (2nd ed.). Houghton Mifflin; 2000; ISBN: 0-395-96130-0 / 2000 / Softcover / 386 pages.

Lumsden, Gay and Lumsden, Don. Communicating in groups and teams: Sharing leadership (3rd ed.). Wadsworth; 2000; ISBN: Paperbound / 432 pages.

Pavitt, Charles. Small Group Discussion : A Theoretical Approach (3rd ed.). University of Delaware; 2000; ISBN: 0137766599 / paperback. www.udel.edu/communication/COMM356/pavitt 

Renz, Mary Ann and Greg, John Greg. Effective small group communication in theory and practice. Allyn & Bacon; 2000; ISBN: Paper / 342 pp / 0-205-28201-6.

1999

Cragan, John F. and Wright, David W. Communication in small groups: Theory, process, skills (5th Ed.). Wadsworth; 1999; ISBN: Paperbound / 320 pages.

Frey, Lawrence (Ed.). The handbook of group communication theory. Sage; 1999.

1998

Harris, Thomas E. Sherblom John C. Small group and team communication. Allyn & Bacon; 1998; ISBN: ISBN: 0205289894 / paperback / 284 pages.

Tindale, R. Scott; Edwards, John, and Bryant, Fred B. (Eds.) Theory and Research on Small Groups (Social Psychological Applications to Social Issues, Vol. 4). Plenum Press; 1998.

Tubbs, Stewart L. Systems approach to small group interaction (6th ed.). McGraw Hill Publishers; 1997; ISBN: 0-07-065526-X / 1998 / Softcover / 400 pages.

Wilson, Gerald L. Groups in context (5th ed.). McGraw Hill Publishers; 1998; ISBN: 0-07-290436-4 / Softcover / 384 pages.

1997

Frey, Lawrence R. and Barge, J. K. Managing group life: Communication in decision-making groups. Houghton Mifflin Co.; 1997.

1996

Bormann, Ernest G. and Bormann, Nancy G. Effective small group communication (6th ed.). Burgess International Group; 1996; ISBN: 0-8087-8495-1/softcover/301 pages.

Hirokawa, R. Y. and Poole, M. S. (Eds.) Communication and group decision making. Sage; 1996.

Schultz, Beatrice G. Communicating in the small group: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). Longman Books; 1996; ISBN: 0-673-99759-6, Paper, 272 pages.

1995

Barker, Larry; Wahlers, Kathy, and Watson, Kittie. Groups in Process: An Introduction to Small Group Communication (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon; 1995; ISBN: Paper / 268 pp / 0-205-16887-6.

Johnson, C. E. and Hackman, M. Z. Creative communication: Principles and applications. Waveland Press; 1995; ISBN: Paperback / ISBN: 0881338281.

1994

Ellis, Donald G. and Fisher, B. Aubrey. Small group decision making (4th ed.). McGraw Hill; 1993; ISBN: 0-07-021212-0 / 1994 / Hardcover / 352 pages.

Wheelan, Susan. Group Processes: A Developmental Perspective. Allyn & Bacon; 1994.

1989

Patton, Bobby R.; Giffin, Kim, and Patton, Eleanor Nyquist. Decision-making group interaction (3rd ed.). Longman Books; 1989; ISBN: 0-06-045066-5, Paper, 240 pages.

1982

1955

1. Barker, Larry; Wahlers, Kathy, and Watson, Kittie. Groups in Process: An Introduction to Small Group Communication (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon; 1995; ISBN: Paper / 268 pp / 0-205-16887-6.
   Summary (courtesy of publisher): Groups in Process, now in its fifth edition, shows students how they can make small group interactions more effective and efficient. The authors continue to balance traditional and progressive approaches to teaching small group communication, drawing together the best of current research and thought on leadership, problem solving, and conflict management. Thorough and up-to-date, the text serves as a bridge between discussion-based texts and newer, interpersonal perspectives. Its practical presentation translates theory into practice with a plenitude of real-world examples. The fifth edition has been revised and streamlined, in response to user feedback, to ensure its effectiveness and relevance to today's students. Study questions at the beginning of each chapter guide students' reading. Chapters are annotated throughout with principles to remember, designed to support students while they work.

2. Beebe, Steven A. and Masterson, John T. Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices (6th ed.). Longman Books; 2000; ISBN: 389 pp./ Paper / ISBN 0-321-03648-4.
   Summary (courtesy of publisher): This text is known for its wealth of relevant, practical and up-to-date information on small group communication. The careful balance of theory, applications, and skills makes it a highly useful tool for students. The sixth edition includes expanded coverage of cultural and gender issues, updated technology, and more focus on working in teams. New features include: Expanded coverage of critical thinking, latest research findings on the use of creative problem-solving methods, added coverage of reasoning and fallacies; more coverage and examples of business applications, leadership and meetings; Chapter 11 (newly titled "Improving Productivity in Groups") has been revised to include more applications of principles and skills from previous chapters so students can apply what they learn rather than simply read about organizations; Increased coverage of new research and technology, including group and team deliberation and Internet research, gives students the most current information available for these evolving topics; Each chapter concludes with a "Putting Principles into Practice" section that helps students apply what they have learned to real life issues; Coverage of ethics is expanded; A text-specific website, http://awlonline.com/beebe, will support the text with activities, links, and other teaching aids related to small group communication, as well as an online Study Guide.

3. Bormann, Ernest G. and Bormann, Nancy G. Effective small group communication (6th ed.). Burgess International Group; 1996; ISBN: 0-8087-8495-1/softcover/301 pages.
   Summary (by L. Millhous): The new edition of a classic text, Effective Small Group Communication by Ernest Bormann (emeritus, University of Minnesota) and Nancy Bormann is an excellent vehicle for helping beginners learn to be more mindful of their behavior in groups. Concise, concrete, and jargon-free the text provides a useful supplement to in-class explanations and discussions. Many suggestions for group activities are provided to illustrate concepts of norms, roles, leadership, fantasy sharing, group decision making, conflict management, and evaluation of groups. The text is weaker for advanced theoretical discussions by communication majors who already know the jargon. It also lacks extended case study examples. This text is designed as a companion text for the University of Minnesota-style experiential learning groups course where students engage in small group development and self-analysis over the course of the semester. For this purpose it has been successfully used for several decades.

4. Brilhart, John K.; Galanes, Gloria J., and Adams, Katherine L. Effective group discussion: Theory and Practice (10th ed.). McGraw Hill; 2001; ISBN: 0-07-231568-7 / 2001 / Softcover / 448 pages.
   Summary (courtesy of publisher): Written for the small group communication course, Effective Group Discussion combines the most recent research findings relevant to understanding small groups with the practical tools students need to become productive group members. This text's implementation of research and theory in the systems approach framework provide students with a unique understanding of the scholarship in this field. This leading 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.

5. Cragan, John F., Wright, David W., and Kasch, Chris R. Communication in small groups: Theory, process, skills (6th Ed.) Wadsworth, (August, 2003); Paperbound/ 320 pages.
   (Summary (courtesy of Wadsworth): This well-established text balances theory and processes with skill development. The authors are active researchers, lecturers, and communication consultants. They draw on their experiences to provide students with a clear introduction to the study of small group communication. A primary objective is to discuss small group communication theory and research in a way that allows the reader to apply concepts and principles to the process of communication when working as a member of a team. The new edition of this text includes a discussion of virtual teams and technologies which support group communication, a more in-depth discussion of the role of interpersonal communication in the small group context, and deeper coverage of specific message strategies which can be used to exert leadership and to resolve and manage conflict. The completely revised Instructor's Resource Manual contains over 300 new multi-choice exam questions and PowerPoint presentations illuminating a range of different group communication concepts and processes

6. Ellis, Donald G. and Fisher, B. Aubrey. Small group decision making (4th ed.). McGraw Hill; 1993; ISBN: 0-07-021212-0 / 1994 / Hardcover / 352 pages.
   Summary (courtesy of McGraw Hill): SMALL GROUP DECISION MAKING by Donald G. Ellis (University of Hartford) is informed by the late Aubrey Fisher's own theory of decision making and his perspective (pragmatist) on communication. These perspectives give the book a strong theoretical framework on which to build an understanding of group communication. The fourth edition of this book is a thoroughly updated version, with a review of the recent scholarly literature, organizational changes for clarity and increased coverage of important topics such as NGT, leadership, conflict and ethics.

7. Engleberg, Isa and Wynn, Dianna. Working in groups: Communication principles and strategies (2nd ed.). Houghton Mifflin; 2000; ISBN: 0-395-96130-0 / 2000 / Softcover / 386 pages.
   Summary (written by Isa Engleberg): The second edition of Working in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies by Isa Engleberg (Prince George's Community College) and Dianna Wynn (Midland College) is guided by the question "What do students enrolled in an introductory small group communication class really need to know?" The textbook employs theory and research to explain "how groups work" as well as communication principles, strategies, and skills to teach "how to work in groups." The central metaphor of the textbook * balance * is used to illustrate related components of group work: Member needs and group goals; Participation and leadership; Task and maintenance functions; Individual expression and team talk; Cohesiveness and conflict; Structured procedures and creative thinking, Face-to-face meetings and cybermeetings. In addition to a comprehensive coverage of traditional small group communication subjects, additional chapters address neglected topics such as: Participation in Groups, Communication Apprehension, Argumentation in Groups, Planning and Conducting Meetings, Agendas and Minutes, Parliamentary Procedure, and Making Presentations in Groups. Abundant pedagogical features and exercises are found in every chapter. A comprehensive Instructor's Resource Manual is available from the publisher.

8. Forsyth, Donelson R. An introduction to group dynamics. Brooks/Cole Pub. Co.; 1982; ISBN: Hardcover / ISBN: 0534012256.
   For some grad classes, I've used Forsyth, An Introduction to Group Dynamics, but it's not a pure communication text (--Ann Burnett).

9. Frey, L. R. (Ed.). (2002). Group communication in context: Studies of bona fide groups (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
   Summary Provided by Publisher: In second edition of this award-winning volume, editor Lawrence R. Frey showcases original research studies conducted on and about communication in bona fide groups, demonstrating the conceptual promise of the bona fide group perspective as realized in research practice. Divided into six parts, the chapters cover a wide range of new or relatively understudied groups--including youth community groups, Internet support groups, climbing expedition groups, families, neighborhoods, and school boards--and demonstrate the wealth of methodological approach that can be used to study bona fide group communication--including survey methods, in-depth interviews, textual analysis, content analysis, participation observation, and discourse analysis. The text shows that the bona fide group perspective has the power to transform our thinking about groups and group communication and, in time, the practices in which groups and group members engage. View Table of Contents

10. Frey, L. R. (Ed.). (2002). New directions in group communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
    Summary Provided by the Publisher: This text tables as its mission the setting of the agenda for the study of group communication in the future. It does so by presenting work that scholars have not previously explored in the current group communication literature. Part one focuses on new theoretical and conceptual directions, both presenting new views and extending current positions. Part two examines new research methodologies, while part three looks at antecedent factors affecting group communication. The fourth and fifth parts of the text provide insight into both group communication processes and practices. Part six covers different group communication contexts, including communication patterns in top management teams. An excellent companion to The Handbook of Group Communication Theory and Research, this volume sets the direction for future study for students and scholars alike. View Table of Contents.

     

11. Frey, Lawrence (Ed.). The handbook of group communication theory. Sage; 1999.
    Summary (courtesy of publisher): The Handbook establishes a central resource for the field, documenting and synthesizing the work done in group communication scholarship's fifty-year history. With contributions from experienced and respected scholars in the field, editor Lawrence R Frey presents an overview of group communication study, from its beginnings in pedagogy to its status as a mature discipline with a variety of theoretical positions and methodological practices. View Table of Contents.

12. Frey, Lawrence R. and Barge, J. K. Managing group life: Communication in decision-making groups. Houghton Mifflin Co.; 1997.
    Note: (Instructor's resource manual by E. L. Lamoureux & M. Zucco).
    Summary (by L. Millhous): This edited textbook brings together chapters by some of the foremost researchers in group communication, while being fully accessible to beginning undergraduate students. The textbook is clearly organized and uniformly presented, yet each chapter speaks with a different voice and style. Many examples, tables, exercises, and self-assessment tests make the text interesting and user-friendly. The organization of the book is easy to follow, with chapters moving from group beginnings to group endings and addressing both the social and task dynamics of groups in turn. The editors identify a "more complex" approach that acknowledges the dialectical tensions and external influences that make group work "messy" to predict, however I did not find the presentation of material to be overly complex in terms of understandability or requiring advanced academic ability. The text includes the usual chapters on the factors and stages of group life, handling individual needs, conflict, leadership, decision-making, and facilitating meetings. The text also covers several topics that are unusual in an introductory small group text including psychosocial maturity (Erikson) and group work, socializing new members, coding communication (IPA and SYMLOG), social influence and argumentation, and ending a group. Unlike some edited volumes, a complete bibliography is included at the end of the book, and the introductory and concluding sections of each chapter are very uniform. The instructor's manual provides detailed chapter outlines, test questions, commonly asked questions, and a case study for each chapter based on actual scholarly research in real life groups.

13. Harris, Thomas E. Sherblom John C. Small group and team communication. Allyn & Bacon; 1998; ISBN: ISBN: 0205289894 / paperback / 284 pages.
    Summary (From the Back Cover): Small group communication is an imperative skill in today's society. With the right communication skills, one can be comfortable, effective, and successful in the workplace, the community, the school, or any other setting where one works with others. This book addresses the fundamental aspects of -- and teaches the basic skills of -- small group communication. Praised for its writing style, research base, and range of topics covered, this book teaches small group communication by providing theory, specific and current examples, analysis of diversity in small groups, useful applications of creativity beyond brainstorming, application of team analysis and leadership. Extensive examples along with chapter opening and closing pedagogical aids engage readers and help them to move from theoretical discussions into application and experience of the concepts presented. Group members and leaders, team members and coaches, professionals who work in an organization or with co-workers, and anyone who wants to improve his or her small group communication skills.

14. Hirokawa, R. Y., Cathcart, R. S., Samovar, L. A., and Henman, L. D. (2003). Small Group Communication: Theory and Practice (an Anthology) (8th Ed). Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company. 342 pages.
    Summary provided by publisher: This text presents a collection of readings on small group communication from well-known researchers and practitioners in the field. Chapters cover contemporary views of small groups, theories of group communication, group development and organization, group communication processes, group and team performance, group leadership, culture and diversity in groups, and methods for analyzing group communication. The new edition features 14 new and 3 updated chapters. New topics include: The bona fide group perspective, The functional perspective, Symbolic convergence theory, Multiple sequence models of group development, Virtual group communication, New communication technologies, Social influence processes in groups, Counteractive influence and group leadership, Characteristics of effective health care teams; Sex, gender, and communication in groups; Narrative analysis of group communication, Methods for evaluating group communication. Two new sections have been added: "Theories of Group Communication" and "Observing Group Communication," with three new chapters in each section. Thought-provoking introductions to each section provide internal cohesiveness and structure to the book. View Table of Contents.

15. Hirokawa, R. Y. and Poole, M. S. (Eds.) Communication and group decision making. Sage; 1996.
    Summary (courtesy of publisher): Despite the importance of group communication processes, they remain elusive and difficult to understand, and the type of theory necessary to make sense of these processes differs from those commonly found in the social sciences.This collection of essays advances a unique perspective on group decision-making which is complementary to approaches taken in management, psychology and sociology. As the new edition of this book demonstrates, a number of strong theoretical frameworks have developed over the past 15 years together with considerable empirical evidence. The essays are distinctive both in their explicit focus on communication processes and in their location in a unique intellectual tradition. As such the book serves to forge a broader, more complete study of group processes. View Table of Contents.

16. Hoover, J. D. Effective Small Group and Team Communication. Wadsworth/Thompson; 2002.  ISBN: 0-155-07828-3
    (Abstract courtesy of the author) This book presents original research based upon the experiences of functioning groups, in addition to traditional research data from communication, business and management, psychology, sociology, education, nursing, engineering, computer science, and information systems journals. It emphasizes an interactive approach to teaching and contains activities tied to each chapter as well as an Instructor's Manual and Test Bank. Chapters on both face-to-face and virtual meetings are guided by a teamwork philosophy that encourages the use of shared emergent leadership in classroom groups. The text provides an entire chapter devoted to a wide range of diversity issues and an entire chapter on performance assessment and team effectiveness criteria.

17. Johnson, C. E. and Hackman, M. Z. Creative communication: Principles and applications. Waveland Press; 1995; ISBN: Paperback / ISBN: 0881338281.
    I use the Johnson & Hackman text, although it is not a "group" text specifically, but I focus heavily on "creative" group process in my class (and I know a number of others in the field who do similarly), and the text has a great introduction to creativity and language and does have at least one chapter specifically dedicated to group communication. I love it as a secondary required text. -- John Gribas.
    Book Description (courtesy of publisher): Learn to perceive multiple possibilities when considering an issue rather than being limited to routine responses! The applied focus of this volume targets the synergistic process of developing creative problem-solving strategies and honing communication skills to stimulate higher levels of creativity. A presentation of theoretical approaches to the creative process are followed by concrete examples of how others have applied creative solutions to specific problems in small groups, organizations, written communication, and persuasive encounters.

18. Katz, Elihu, & Lazarsfeld, Paul, Personal Influence, Glencoe, IL: Free Press, 1955. 
    I don't know about any new books, but I do highly recommend this old book that everyone should read. This beauty of a book -- which I would place on the same level as George Caspar Homans' The Human Group -- does a superb job of showing the importance of group communication in the flow and effects of mass media messages. It is a book especially important for students interested in bridging mass communication and interpersonal/small group communication. Reviewer:  Randy Hirokawa [ hirokawa@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu ].

19. Keyton, J. (2002). Communicating in groups: Building Relationships for effective decision making. Boston: McGraw Hill. website <http://www.people.ku.edu/~jkeyton/grptext/>
    Summary (courtesy of Publishing Company): With this text's help, students will develop skills for assessing their own communication in groups, and explore the ways in which their behavior can facilitate or hinder group outcomes. The text explores group interaction dynamics, the relationship of the individual to the group, and the way groups are situated in their larger contexts. Goes beyond the standard decision-making groups to include communication in a variety of groups-among them, social and support groups. Includes transcripts of group interaction, cases, and examples. Draws from both classic and contemporary interdisciplinary research. Offers abundant pedagogical aids: "Putting the Pieces Together" sections ask students to use the five core concepts of defining a group (group size, group identity, interdependence, group goal, and group structure) to analyze their own group experiences. "Think About It" sections ask students to apply the information they've read to their own group experiences. "Group Assessment Techniques" give students a variety of tools for analysis of group cases or their own group experiences. "Building Analytical Skills" sections provide mini-cases and exercises.

20. Lumsden, Gay and Lumsden, Don. Communicating in groups and teams: Sharing leadership (3rd ed.). Wadsworth; 2000; ISBN: Paperbound / 432 pages.

21. Patton, Bobby R.; Giffin, Kim, and Patton, Eleanor Nyquist. Decision-making group interaction (3rd ed.). Longman Books; 1989; ISBN: 0-06-045066-5, Paper, 240 pages.
    Summary (courtesy of Longman Books): This text provides a theoretical basis -along with the practical methods of implementation-for making effective choices in group situations. Introducing the communication practices, patterns, and circumstances that promote or inhibit group interaction, it helps students improve their own group performance while familiarizing them with the ever-growing body of knowledge on group processes. Decision-making group interaction by Bobby R. Patton (California State University, Los Angeles), Kim Giffin (University of Kansas) and Eleanor Nyquist Patton overviews small group research from a historical perspective. New coverage includes such timely topics as quality circles and the barriers to group interaction that may have contributed to the 1986 Space Shuttle accident. The latest research from both national and international sources has been incorporated throughout. Also, there is a greater emphasis than in earlier editions on real-world applications. Other features of the text are the chapter summaries and the charts and figures.

22. Pavitt, Charles. Small Group Discussion : A Theoretical Approach (3rd ed.). University of Delaware; 2000; ISBN: 0137766599 / paperback.
    Summary (by Charles Pavitt): 

    (Abstract supplied by Author) This text is an attempt to provide a review of theory and research in topic areas of group discussion in which sufficiently sizable literatures exist. It is suitable for upper-level undergraduate and master’s level courses. The first two additions, co-authored by Ellen Curtis, were published by Gorsuch-Scarisbrick. The third edition is available at www.udel.edu/communication/COMM356/pavitt
    The COMM is case sensitive and must be capitalized. This edition is public domain and available for free distribution and use under the conditions that those using it do not receive direct financial profit from its use and that the author receives credit.

23. Renz, Mary Ann and Greg, John Greg. Effective small group communication in theory and practice. Allyn & Bacon; 2000; ISBN: Paper / 342 pp / 0-205-28201-6.
    Mary Ann Renz , (Central Michigan University) and John Greg (St. John's University).

24. Rothwell, J. Dan. (2003) In mixed company: small group communication (5th ed.). Wadsworth; 2001; ISBN: 0534606695.
    IN MIXED COMPANY is unique among the growing list of group communication textbooks. This textbook offers a communication competence model that is applied in every chapter, a comprehensive discussion of the research on competition and cooperation, a concise and readable treatment of systems theory, and a separate chapter on power in the small group arena all combined in a single text. In addition, IN MIXED COMPANY includes a new chapter on teambuilding and teamwork that flows smoothly and logically from the discussion of research on cooperation, offers a strong emphasis on gender and culture issues relevant to the small group experience, and incorporates frequent treatment of technological issues. Repeatedly noted for its colorful and engaging writing style and frequent inclusion of humor, IN MIXED COMPANY also offers a substantial package of pedagogical aids, including the InfoTrac College Edition online library, online student self-quizzes, ExamView test generator program for Instructors, and a comprehensive Instructor's Manual with suggestions for creative in-class activities, self-assessment questionnaires, transparency models, and cooperative testing procedures and sample exams. See online review of earlier edition by Scott Millward (San Jose State University) http://acjournal.org/holdings/vol2/Iss2/reviews/millward/index.html

25. Schultz, Beatrice G. Communicating in the small group: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). Longman Books; 1996; ISBN: 0-673-99759-6, Paper, 272 pages.
    Summary (courtesy of Longman Books): This practical, hands-on approach to the processes and skills of effective small group participation thoroughly involves students in the learning process. Recognizing that both analysis and practice are necessary to improve the way groups function, Communicating in the Small Group, 2/e by Beatrice Shultz (University of Rhode Island) integrates innovative experiential exercises, activities, dialogues, and realistic examples with principles and theories to influence more effective group interaction. Students acquire skills in such areas as dealing with conflict within and between groups; observing and interviewing to bring about change; and counteracting "Groupthink." Separate chapters on problem solving and decision making offer complete coverage of analytical processes as well as methods for making, implementing, and evaluating decisions. The text examines social, cultural, and interpersonal influences affecting one's behavior in group situations; discusses the historical roots of small group study; and provides a full treatment of nonverbal communication. This second edition features new and additional examples, a revised organization, and more material on gender and culture. More strategies have been added to help students improve their skills in decision-making, conflict confrontation, and intervention in dysfunctional groups.

26. Tindale, R. Scott; Edwards, John, and Bryant, Fred B. (Eds.) Theory and Research on Small Groups (Social Psychological Applications to Social Issues, Vol. 4). Plenum Press; 1998.
    View Table of Contents.

27. Tubbs, Stewart L. Systems approach to small group interaction (6th ed.). McGraw Hill Publishers; 1997; ISBN: 0-07-065526-X / 1998 / Softcover / 400 pages.
    Summary (courtesy of McGraw Hill): Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction pioneered the systems approach and integrates all important small group topics into a single comprehensive conceptual model. This text by Stewart L. Tubbs (Eastern Michigan University) is systematically organized: Each chapter begins with a brief preview, followed by a glossary of terms, a real life case study, and then the chapter text material. Next come several experiential exercises for skill development, and finally the chapter concludes with two original readings .

28. Wheelan, Susan. Group Processes: A Developmental Perspective. Allyn & Bacon; 1994.
    Summary (courtesy of publisher): Susan Wheelan's (Temple University) text uses group development as an organizing principle. It offers readers a dynamic view of groups, helping them understand that group processes operate differently at different points in a group's life cycle. Grounded in theory and research, the book is written in a straightforward way with practical examples integrated throughout to hold student interest. It offers more than just an understanding of group phenomena; it also provides strategies to enhance the functioning of groups of which students/readers are a part.

29. Wilson, Gerald L. Groups in context (5th ed.). McGraw Hill Publishers; 1998; ISBN: 0-07-290436-4 / Softcover / 384 pages.
    Summary (courtesy of McGraw Hill): Groups in Context by Gerald L. Wilson (University of South Alabama---Mobile) is a well balanced blend of theory and applications that gives students abundant real life examples to help them apply principles to actual group situations. The text reflects the author's belief that small group communication is best understood in context- whether in the workplace, in neighborhoods, in churches, social groups, or civic organizations. Examples from a variety of contexts abound.
    
30. Young, K.S, Wood, J.T., Phillips, G.M., and Pedersen, D.J. (2001). Group Discussion: A Practical Guide to Participation and Leadership, 3rd ed. Illinois: Waveland Press. ISBN # 1-57766-093-5
    The original Wood, Phillips, and Pedersen textbook is back in print with a newly updated 3rd edition. Still one of the most widely cited textbooks on the Standard Agenda problem-solving model, this book takes students through an applied, problem-sovling approach that recognizes the creative potential of the individual. Either as a companion manual or sole group textbook, students will appreciate the hands-on approach and chatty style as the authors take them through reflective thinking with a full chapter devoted to each step of the process.

Group Communication Division Home Page For further information please contact Lisa Millhous, Webspinner Email at lmillhous@wcupa.edu Page last edited 11 November, 2005 This site hosted by the Department of Communication Studies at West Chester University