基本説明
This text brings together disparate theories and research (from communication, social psychology, organizational and managerial studies, and sociology) in a way that helps students make sense of a complex body of scholarship on groups.
Full Description
The Group in Society meets the challenges of teaching courses on small groups by revealing the full complexity of small groups and their place in society. It shows students the value of learning how to carefully study a group's history and context, rather than merely learning a fixed set of group participation skills. This text brings together disparate theories and research (from communication, social psychology, organizational and managerial studies, and sociology) in a way that helps students make sense of a complex body of scholarship on groups.
Features & Benefits
Part I - Theorizing Groups: builds a strong theoretical foundation, exploring social theory and the group, forming and joining groups, the life and death of the group, and changing society through group life
Part II - Understanding Groups in Context: explores the histories, purposes, memberships of a variety of groups—including juries, families, executive committees, study groups, and political action groups—thus enabling the student reader to speak clearly about group formation, norms, roles, tasks, and relationships. Detailed end-of-chapter case studies explicitly connect with the concepts, theories, and empirical findings introduced in each respective chapter; examples include the powerful group bonds of the modern terrorist cell; the wired network of groups in the anti-Globalization movement; and the deliberation of a jury in a murder trial
Teaching & Learning Ancillaries
Teaching resources are available at http://groupinsociety.la.psu.edu/ and include chapter summaries, discussion questions, and practical applications; a sample course schedule; Embedded Systems Framework PowerPoint slides; group project assignments, group project worksheets, and a group project description and contract; and links to useful Web resources such as small group teaching resources and active wikis on small groups.
An open-access student study site features e-flashcards, practice quizzes, and other resources to help students enhance their comprehension and improve their grade.
Contents
PART I. AN INTRODUCTION TO SMALL GROUPS
1. Small Groups Up Close
Understanding Groups
How We Learn About Groups
Putting the Pieces Together
Illustration: Terrorist Cells
2. Wiring Groups into Organizations and Society
Building a Theoretical Framework
The Embedded System Approach
Small Group Archetypes
Illustration: Self-Managed Work Teams
PART II. DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS
3. Making Group Decisions
Understanding the Modern Jury
Summary Model of Jury Deliberation
Agreements and Social Influence
Summary Decision Making Model
4. Establishing Discussion Procedures
The Group Network
Designing Discussion
Choose a Decision Rule
Summary Model of Emergent Structure
5. Guiding the Flow of Ideas and Information
Assembling a Task Force
Generating Creative Ideas
Gathering and Exchanging Information
PART III. ROLES, RELATIONSHIPS, AND IDENTITY
6. Leading the Team
Teamwork and Group Effectiveness
Loving the Leader
Negotiating Roles and Status
Summary Model: The Group as Microcosm
7. Forging Group Bonds
Groups Across the Lifespan
Banding Together and Tearing Apart
Cohesion and Harmony
Summary Model of Group Bonding
8. Shifting Social Identities
Maintaining Group Norms
Symbolic Life in Groups
Securing a Social Identity
Summary Model of Conflict and Convergence
9. Learning and Growing
Unconscious Group Behavior
Personal Growth
Summary Model of Group Learning
Group Development
PART IV. INTEGRATION AND CONCLUSION
10. The Power of Knowledge
Using Group Theory for Social Change
Reprising the Embedded System Framework
Final Questions and Insights
