The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication - Softcover

Myers, Scott A.; Anderson, Carolyn M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 141295939X ISBN 13: 9781412959391

Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2008

Synopsis

The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication provides readers with the fundamentals they need to become functional and productive members of any small group. Readers are introduced to the fundamental issues faced by all small groups (such as socialization, development, ethics, diversity) and the procedures utilized by effective small groups (for example, task accomplishment, decision making, climate).

With a focus on the individual group member, this textbook encourages readers to reflect on how their communication behaviors (e.g., communication traits, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening style) and practices (e.g., their leadership style, their conflict management style) contribute to their current small group experiences.

About this title

About the Author

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.

 

 

Review

"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." Author: Chad Edwards Published On: 2008-09-15

"I like the approach of this text. Looking at small group communication as a series of interpersonal interactions is a novel approach: Showing students how they are responsible in the interaction―what they have to gain and what they have to lose in the small group―is applicable to the ′real world.′ The important terms, concepts, and theories are well thought out, well developed, and presented in a clear and concise manner." Author: Ann Marie Jablonowski Published On: 2008-09-15

"I really appreciate the book′s focus on how the individual contributes to the group communication context. The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication is easy to read, translates research extremely well, and offers students practical information about small group communication that they can use."
Author: Shawn T. Wahl Published On: 2008-09-15

Edition details

• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 141295939X
• ISBN 13: 9781412959391
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304