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Communicating in Small Groups 10th (Tenth) Edition
As the best-selling text in the field of small-group communication, Communicating in Small Principles and Practices, by Steven A. Beebe and John T. Masterson, has provided readers with a wealth of relevant, practical, and up-to-date information for over a decade and a half. Balancing theoretical perspectives with numerous application and skill activities, the new edition features the an emphasis on group communication competency, expanded coverage of fantasy themes and symbolic convergence theory, how to avoid reasoning fallacies when solving problems and making decisions, integrated group problem solving and tools for structuring problem solving and decision making in groups and teams, how to deal with difficult people when managing conflict, the latest research conclusions about leadership and teams, new principles and frameworks for organizing any meeting, and references to total quality management and the role of collaboration in the work force.
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First published January 1, 1000
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 4, 2018
I found this textbook useful and informational. It wasn’t particularly interesting to read, but it was broken up into smaller sections that made it easy to follow and understand. The authors also included a lot of really useful review sections for a quick reference. These reviews were really helpful when studying!
March 20, 2024
Quite clearly orientated towards education within workplace and corporate use in order to complete tasks most efficiently using efficient communication strategies on several situations in which small workplace groups would find themselves in such as conflict resolution, planning, and group adaptability to and change within several different environments based on theoretical groundings such as the system theory, structural theory, social exchange theory, symbolic exchange theory. Very informational textbook. The terms used are very precise to illustrate and conceptualize communication scenarios.
Communication acts are described very explicitly. Gives some exercises on on how to violating normal behaviors feels odd and out of pace, for example imagining if a person within a small group were to not respond to a random compliment that awkward pause of silence would show there is a communication error.
Explained the initial tensions of a newly formed group and how it will initially struggle for power.
Discussed group climates very well.
Being evaluative or descriptive in you analysis of new proposed ideas, evaluative using "you" as have not or didn't but "I" language as what i think of that applying it to the problem.
Problem orientation is better than controlling individual behavior as if it benefits the entire group solving the problem it is much more beneficial.
Being empathetic shows more commitment and concern to a side and is better than being neutral.
Amount of confirming and disconfirming responses discussed.
Strategic planned communication is seen as more controlling and attempt to manipulate behavior as apposed to sponteous, as these people respond immediately and honestly to the present situation.
Defines communication as making sense, sharing sense, creating meaning, and verbal and nonverbal messages. It is also transactional and essential for group outcomes.
Defines small group communication as a small group of people, meeting with a common purpose, have a sense of belonging, and exert influence.
People are attractive to groups based on needs it could fulfill or attractiveness.
Eye contact is essential for cognitive function, monitoring function, regulatory function, and expressive function.
Established a group charter as an effective way of mediating the way people act.
Showed how there is a intimate space, personal space, social space, and pubic space.
One of my least favorite in communication classes.
Communication acts are described very explicitly. Gives some exercises on on how to violating normal behaviors feels odd and out of pace, for example imagining if a person within a small group were to not respond to a random compliment that awkward pause of silence would show there is a communication error.
Explained the initial tensions of a newly formed group and how it will initially struggle for power.
Discussed group climates very well.
Being evaluative or descriptive in you analysis of new proposed ideas, evaluative using "you" as have not or didn't but "I" language as what i think of that applying it to the problem.
Problem orientation is better than controlling individual behavior as if it benefits the entire group solving the problem it is much more beneficial.
Being empathetic shows more commitment and concern to a side and is better than being neutral.
Amount of confirming and disconfirming responses discussed.
Strategic planned communication is seen as more controlling and attempt to manipulate behavior as apposed to sponteous, as these people respond immediately and honestly to the present situation.
Defines communication as making sense, sharing sense, creating meaning, and verbal and nonverbal messages. It is also transactional and essential for group outcomes.
Defines small group communication as a small group of people, meeting with a common purpose, have a sense of belonging, and exert influence.
People are attractive to groups based on needs it could fulfill or attractiveness.
Eye contact is essential for cognitive function, monitoring function, regulatory function, and expressive function.
Established a group charter as an effective way of mediating the way people act.
Showed how there is a intimate space, personal space, social space, and pubic space.
One of my least favorite in communication classes.
July 5, 2015
The description lauds this textbook as practical, relevant, and up-to-date. Practical? Sure... The writing is no-frills, straightforward blah blah blah. Relevant? As long as you stick to mainly corporate business small groups. Up-to-date? Ha! The pictures throughout the book are clearly from the 90's (even in the 2012 10th edition).
In short, it's a pretty dry textbook in need of a makeover. I haven't seen the latest edition, but I hope the pictures and illustrations are from at least 2000.
In short, it's a pretty dry textbook in need of a makeover. I haven't seen the latest edition, but I hope the pictures and illustrations are from at least 2000.
March 10, 2013
What can I say, its a textbook, usefull but dry
October 3, 2020
Like many other comments--this was okay. It's a textbook. Useful info but dry. :)
April 10, 2017
Very good like it and it has a lot to say about how people should act around others. Chapter 2 on small group communication theory applications is really great to see included. This book was easy to understand and read and had alot of interesting things to learn about other people. Lots of psychology in it thats very interesting. learned a lot from it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews