A Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction - Hardcover

Tubbs, Stewart L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0070654077 ISBN 13: 9780070654075

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Inc.,US, 1992

Synopsis

Conceived as a core text for more theoretically based courses, "A Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction" uses Tubbs' "systems model" as a framework for explaining and integrating the major small group theories. The book thus offers an opportunity to enable undergraduates to clearly view theories that are usually only found in more advanced books. The new edition has been thoroughly updated to include over 100 new citations, more practical applications of small group interactions, plus new case studies and reading selections. Features include Tubb's own "System Model", a useful framwork borrowed from the social sciences that ties together the major small groups theories, making this typically difficult material more understandable for students. The book opens each chapter with a real-life case study, drawing students into the concepts about to be presented. It provides experiential exercises, validating the theories in students' minds and giving students greater insight into how theories relate to behaviour. Also provided are end-of-chapter readings, amplifying core chapter concepts and covering leadership in greater depth than any other book now available, highlighting this important topic. (Chapter 4). New to this edition is coverage of the family group, the social group, and the educational group. (Chapter 3). It also integrates new pedagogical aids - chapter previews, glossaries, and summaries, and provides a thorough explanation of the theory, rationalw, and advantages of the Systems Model, laying a firm foundation for the entire text. (chapter 1).

About this title

From the Publisher:

'Making the Grade' CD-ROM. Every new copy of this text is packaged with a free 'Making the Grade' CD-ROM, which includes:
-Study questions to help reinforce key concepts in the text. With 35 questions per chapter and instant feedback, these study questions are a true study aid for students.
- An Internet Primer.
- A Guide to Electronic Research.
- A Student Skills Primer.
- Learning Assessment Tools.
New Chapter. Chapter 9, "Small Group Presentations to an Audience," is a new chapter. The chapter covers how to prepare an oral presentation and discusses three typical formats for group presentations, namely 1) the Panel discussion, 2) the Symposium, and 3) the Forum discussion.
"Communication Processes," formerly Chapter 5, is now Chapter 2. The chapter deals with the unique aspects of communication in the small group setting. It covers language behavior, self-disclosure, and interaction roles.
Chapter 3, "Relevant Background Factors," has a new section on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which is the most widely used non clinical personality inventory, in the section on group members' personality. The chapter examines how different personality types interact together in a group.
Chapter 3 also includes new information about the Internet, such as online group interaction and online sites to visit.
Chapter 7, "Conflict Management," has a new section on Game Theory with a discussion about its application to businesses as well as to not-for-profit organizations. Also, the section on Conflict Management has been updated and expanded.
New material has been added from over 130 sources, the vast majority of which have been published since 1998.
Looks at groups as interactive systems in which each participant affects and is, in turn, effected by the other participants.
Clear coverage of the basics of teamwork links the concepts to communication through an emphasis on leadership, and problem-solving and decision making.
A practical focus ties such concepts as TQM, leadership, negotiating and conflict management, left and right brain creativity, brainstorming, and teamwork to their real world applications.
Strong coverage of leadership, verbal and non-verbal communication, problem solving and decision making, team building, managing change, and personality.
Systematic pedagogy includes: practical tips boxes, case studies, exercises, summaries, chapter beginning glossaries, tables, illustrations, bibliographies, selected readings.

About the Author:

Stewart L. Tubbs is the dean of the College of Business at Eastern Michigan University. He received his doctorate in communication and organizational behavior from the University of Kansas. His master’s degree in communication and his bachelor’s degree in science are from Bowling Green State University. He has completed postdoctoral work in management at Harvard Business School, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University. Dr. Tubbs has also taught at General Motors Institute and at Boise State University, where he was chairman of the Management Department and later associate dean of the College of Business.He has been named Outstanding Teacher three times and Outstanding Scholar twice. He has consulted for Fortune 500 companies and is past chairman of the Organizational Communication division of the Academy of Management.He has been named an Outstanding Teacher three times and an Outstanding Scholar twice, has consulted extensively for Fortune 500 companies, and is past chairman of the Organizational Communication division of the Academy of Management. He has also received the outstanding leadership award in London from the Academy of Business Administration and has been inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame by Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio. Dr. Tubbs is the co-author, with Sylvia Moss, of Interpersonal Communication and Human Communication. He is listed in American Men and Women of Science, Contemporary Authors, Directory of American Scholars, the International Who’s Who in Education, and Outstanding Young Men of America.

About this edition

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Inc.,US
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0070654077
• ISBN 13: 9780070654075
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 416