How is the increasing diversity of the workforce likely to affect productivity? What can be done to remedy the negative consequences of `groupthink'? And what steps can be taken to improve the quality of group decisions? This volume discusses these and other questions associated with productivity and functioning in small groups. Among the topics explored are group productivity, problem identification, group decision making, behaviour technology and group dynamics. The contributors, leading scholars from a cross-section of disciplines, challenge many current beliefs about groups.

This Open University text, part of the 'Mapping Social Psychology' series examines the processes involved when a group of people make a decision, or take action together.

People interact and perform in group settings in all areas of life. Organizations and businesses are increasingly structuring work around groups and teams. Every day, we work in groups such as families, friendship groups, societies and sports teams, to make decisions and plans, solve problems, perform physical tasks, generate creative ideas, and more. Group Performance outlines the current state of social psychological theories and findings concerning the performance of groups. It explores the basic theories surrounding group interaction and development and investigates how groups affect their members. Bernard A. Nijstad discusses these issues in relation to the many different tasks that groups may perform, including physical tasks, idea generation and brainstorming, decision-making, problem-solving, and making judgments and estimates. Finally, the book closes with an in-depth discussion of teamwork and the context in which groups interact and perform. Offering an integrated approach, with particular emphasis on the interplay between group members, the group task, interaction processes and context, this book provides a state-of-the-art overview of social psychological theory and research. It will be highly valuable to undergraduates, graduates and researchers in social psychology, organizational behavior and business.

The many groups we belong to influence our lives in crucial ways.This volume provides a comprehensive overview of classic and contemporary issues in the field of group processes and will interest scholars in various disciplines, including social and organizational psychology, sociology, communication, economics, and political science.

The new edition of the classic text on group dynamics theory and research—extensively revised, expanded, and updated Offering a critical appraisal of theory and research on groups, Group Processes: Dynamics with and Between Groups is one of the most respected texts in the field. This comprehensive volume covers all the essential dynamics of group processes and intergroup relations, ranging from group formation, norms, social influence and leadership to group aggression, prejudice, solidarity, intergroup contact and collective action. Contemporary examples and plentiful charts, graphs, and illustrations complement discussions of the latest themes and current controversies in group psychology. Now in its third edition, this book has been thoroughly revised with a significant amount of new and updated content. New topics include the contribution of groups to health and wellbeing, group-based emotions, hierarchy and oppression, intergroup helping and solidarity, acculturation and reconciliation. Sections on social influence, crowd behavior, leadership, prejudice, collective action and intergroup contact have been comprehensively revised and updated to reflect two decades of development in these fields. Three inter-linked themes—social identity, social context, and social action—illustrate the influence of groups on self and self-worth, the meaning and consequences of membership in groups, and how groups can be vehicles for members to achieve change in their environments. A key text in the field for over thirty years, Group Processes: Offers broad, balanced coverage of group processes, including in-depth examination of intergroup relations Incorporates theoretical themes inspired by the social identity perspective Includes topical examples drawn from the world of politics, popular culture, and sports Provides up-to-date content on major new developments in the field Integrates modern theory, current research, and classic sources Group Processes: Dynamics with and Between Groups, 3rd Edition is ideal for core reading in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social psychology, particularly in modules dedicated to group processes and intergroup relations.

A collection of papers that examines a range of social psychological and group related phenomena, including original research articles, theoretical developments, and general reviews of select topics in the group processes literature.

This two-volume encyclopedia covers concepts from across the spectrum, from group phenomena to phenomena influenced by group membership, from small group interaction to intergroup relations on a global scale.

Use eye-popping visual tools to energize your people! Just as social networking has reclaimed the Internet for human interactivity and co-creation, the visual meetings movement is reclaiming creativity, productivity, and playful exchange for serious work in groups. Visual Meetings explains how anyone can implement powerful visual tools, and how these tools are being used in Silicon Valley and elsewhere to facilitate both face-to-face and virtual group work. This dynamic and richly illustrated resource gives meeting leaders, presenters, and consultants a slew of exciting tricks and tools, including Graphic recording, visual planning, story boarding, graphic templates, idea mapping, etc. Creative ways to energize team building, sales presentations, staff meetings, strategy sessions, brainstorming, and more Getting beyond paper and whiteboards to engage new media platforms Understanding emerging visual language for leading groups Unlocking formerly untapped creative resources for business success, Visual Meetings will help you and your team communicate ideas more effectively and engagingly.