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Group Dynamics
This best-seller is known in the field for being the most comprehensive treatment of groups available. This revision has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest research as well as the latest applications to organizational, industrial, educational, judiciary, athletic, and interpersonal settings. Writing in a friendly style, Forsyth builds each chapter around a separate, real-life case example and integrates various perspectives from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, and political science to achieve a comprehensive analysis of group behavior. The concepts, tightly woven with pedagogy, teach the students about group dynamics rather than simply exposing them to basic principles and research findings.
596 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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May 1, 2021Finally done with this chonker. 😌 I only read half of the chapters and I didn't like it.
November 6, 2019
In Group Dynamics, author Donelson R. Forsyth attempts to give his reader an introduction on the subject, using a case study in each chapter as an example of the theory or topic he wishes to breach. His writing style is rather simplistic, which makes the book a smooth and easy read, but perhaps a bit below the level of the audience he’s aiming at (undergraduates, no doubt). Still, the book presents quite a few interesting case examples, drawn from all kinds of fields that are all connected to group dynamics (but let’s be honest: which field isn’t?).
This textbook contains chapters of the following topics: studying groups, inclusion and identity, formation, cohesion and development, structure, influence, power, leadership, performance, decision making, teams, conflict, intergroup relations, groups in context, groups and change, and finally, crowds and collective behaviour. Each chapter contains summaries, and key terms are explained in the margins.
It’s a good introduction to group dynamics in general, and Forsyth also puts a solid emphasis on backing the presented theories or ideas up with empirical evidence. However, I really do feel that the book suffers from his simplistic writing style, and the fact that he seems intent on explaining extremely obvious terms, and matters that are very much common sense.
I can still recommend this book to anyone looking to know more about group dynamics, from managers to students to psychologists and to anyone remotely interested. Forsyth’s book is easy to get into (perhaps a bit too easy, like I mentioned), and he does give a complete overview of all important aspects of the field. Good introductory textbook, but not extremely stellar or enlightening.
This textbook contains chapters of the following topics: studying groups, inclusion and identity, formation, cohesion and development, structure, influence, power, leadership, performance, decision making, teams, conflict, intergroup relations, groups in context, groups and change, and finally, crowds and collective behaviour. Each chapter contains summaries, and key terms are explained in the margins.
It’s a good introduction to group dynamics in general, and Forsyth also puts a solid emphasis on backing the presented theories or ideas up with empirical evidence. However, I really do feel that the book suffers from his simplistic writing style, and the fact that he seems intent on explaining extremely obvious terms, and matters that are very much common sense.
I can still recommend this book to anyone looking to know more about group dynamics, from managers to students to psychologists and to anyone remotely interested. Forsyth’s book is easy to get into (perhaps a bit too easy, like I mentioned), and he does give a complete overview of all important aspects of the field. Good introductory textbook, but not extremely stellar or enlightening.
July 6, 2015
Not my favorite textbook, but it certainly wasn't the worst :)
May 13, 2020
This book was required reading for one of my uni classes. The book is quite dense, doesn't define terms well instead gives examples from movies or case studies. I actually found better resources for my assignments from other resources.
August 6, 2020
This book was very inspirational in 2001-2013 when I read it. Never completed it.
Now in 2020 in retrospect some ideas that I recall seem to me outdated.
Looking forward to a new version of this book.
New generations, new people, new group dynamics.
Now in 2020 in retrospect some ideas that I recall seem to me outdated.
Looking forward to a new version of this book.
New generations, new people, new group dynamics.
June 27, 2021
2.5!
I still have a couple of chapters left, but I am so done with it!
This is not an enjoyable book, although it has some good information. It was dense at times and repetitive at others which is pretty annoying, yet I'd say I learned a few things.
I still have a couple of chapters left, but I am so done with it!
This is not an enjoyable book, although it has some good information. It was dense at times and repetitive at others which is pretty annoying, yet I'd say I learned a few things.
October 13, 2023
Again a textbook, but amazingly well written.
More for the students of Organizational Behavior or social psychology or students of management.
But very nice explanations, with lot of references and citations. If you want to study Groups/teams - this is the go to guide.
More for the students of Organizational Behavior or social psychology or students of management.
But very nice explanations, with lot of references and citations. If you want to study Groups/teams - this is the go to guide.
May 14, 2017
A good textbook. Read this for a university class on group dynamics.
The book covers a broad spectrum of aspects involved in the study of group dynamics, from decision making in groups (Chapter 11) to how groups are shaped by situational factors (Chapter 15) and the scientific approaches to explaining crowd phenomena (Chapter 17).
The content is generally interesting, even though sometimes just a confirmation of common sense (as are many texts in social psychology).
What made this book stand out were two specific parts of its organization:
1. At the beginning of every chapter, a real-life example of a group was introduced (e.g. the crew of the flight that landed on the Hudson river, the conflict between Jobs and Sculley at Apple, the crew of Apollo 13, etc.) and referenced throughout the rest of the chapter. This was a very nice way to illustrate the theory and connect it to more practical cases.
2. For every chapter (I think), there were two 'Focus' boxes: One relating the discussed theory to e-groups, or groups that only interact online, the other one introducing a more culturally inclusive perspective, highlighting the differences and similarities found between cultures.
Even though many textbooks include especially the cultural differences, it was nice to have them summarized in a focus-section, rather than scattered through the whole chapter.
The book covers a broad spectrum of aspects involved in the study of group dynamics, from decision making in groups (Chapter 11) to how groups are shaped by situational factors (Chapter 15) and the scientific approaches to explaining crowd phenomena (Chapter 17).
The content is generally interesting, even though sometimes just a confirmation of common sense (as are many texts in social psychology).
What made this book stand out were two specific parts of its organization:
1. At the beginning of every chapter, a real-life example of a group was introduced (e.g. the crew of the flight that landed on the Hudson river, the conflict between Jobs and Sculley at Apple, the crew of Apollo 13, etc.) and referenced throughout the rest of the chapter. This was a very nice way to illustrate the theory and connect it to more practical cases.
2. For every chapter (I think), there were two 'Focus' boxes: One relating the discussed theory to e-groups, or groups that only interact online, the other one introducing a more culturally inclusive perspective, highlighting the differences and similarities found between cultures.
Even though many textbooks include especially the cultural differences, it was nice to have them summarized in a focus-section, rather than scattered through the whole chapter.
April 27, 2014
Very informational and factual, but also rather extensive and dry. Good textbook overview, and though the author clearly tries to connect each chapter to a practical example, it is still very theoretical.
December 31, 2014
Groups form most of our daily life. From professional to personal groups, individuals seek meaning in groups, become a "self" in groups and develop identities with/in groups. Forsyth's book is a comprehensive start for those who are interested in understanding complexity of groups.
November 26, 2009
also excellent
May 8, 2010
This book was assigned for a graduate level class and read like a jr. high textbook. Most of it was really intuitive. I got a lot out of my class, but not so much from the actual book.
January 9, 2011
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January 3, 2012I wanted to know how to deal with evil bosses, etc. The book gave some useful insights.
December 6, 2012
Textbook for college course. Print very dense with a few graphs/charts thrown in. Some chapters were very informative.
June 18, 2017
Studying...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews