Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills

by David W. Johnson

This best-selling text presents a broad, integrative overview of group dynamics in a well researched, readable, and experiential format. This text introduces readers to the theory and research findings needed to understand how to make groups effective, and it helps build the skills required to apply that knowledge in practical situations. More than a textbook, Joining Together illustrates how this knowledge and mastery of skills creates choices, opportunities, and successes for each individual. No competing text offers the scope of coverage and the range of experiential exercises like Joining Together.

New to this Edition:

The entire text has been extensively edited and designed to ensure a concise and readable presentation. References and citations have been updated throughout the text to guarantee the most current and useful research information available. Chapter 3, “Group Goals,” has been revised to update the discussions of cooperation & competition and trust. Chapter 4, “Leadership,” incorporates the latest theories and research on effective small group research and illustrates the application of the theory to practical situations in a variety of settings. Chapter 9, “Managing Conflict of Interests,” now includes the latest and most exciting theory and research on the constructive resolution of conflict, with special attention to the topics of negotiation and mediation. Chapter 8, “Controversy and Creativity,” has been thoroughly revised to update the discussion of creativity and its relationship to effective group problem-solving. New chapter objectives, quizzes andPowerPoints are available to adopters online by contacting your local representative. Package this text with MyLabSchool—a powerful set of online tools that bring the classroom to life!

Visit www.mylabschool.com for more information!

Genres: Psychology, Leadership

638 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1975

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of group functioning and the strengths and weakness of working in groups. The chapter on Power was particularly elucidating.

If you're confused about why we're all being dicks on the internet, this book will explain it to you. If you're hating on your group projects and bewailing group decision-making, this book will make you a better group member. If you're in the unfortunate position of being in charge of a ragtag group of humans, this book will remind you that our strength and wisdom comes from healthy collaboration.

Life is a team sport.

[Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 90% of the textbook. It makes a good case for the value and benefits of educating people within a group context. I will come back to the book again in the future as a reference when I have the opportunity to instruct adults again.

[Natalie Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

SO many words on the minutiae of 1920-70s social psychology and so little on how to actually create positive humanising change for people using groups. Lots of ideas for group exercises though

[Mark Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I can be a bit dense, but there are activities in each chapter that break things up, that are also useful in forming groups. I do sense sometimes, that they are so sold on Cooperative Learning, that you don't always get all the negatives. IN this sense, Robert Slavin seems to be more objective.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent book, but there was so much information that things seemed to be watered down at times.

[Na Dina]

i thing so satisfied if was reading this article, please permitted me, thank for your attention

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

For my COM423 class. Didn't really care for this text book.

[Kerrie Taber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has sections that are really geared more towards someone teaching about groups than for students. There are some good exercises in the chapters.