In Mixed Company: Small Groups Communication, 7th Edition

by J. Dan Rothwell

IN MIXED COMPANY: COMMUNICATING IN SMALL GROUPS AND TEAMS was written for the small group communication course offered at two- and four-year colleges and universities. The small group communication course typically covers the underlying principles and skills necessary for group participation and communication. Topics covered include theory, group development, climate, roles, leadership, discussion, decision making, teamwork, conflict management, group presentations, and outcomes assessment. The goal of small group communication is to teach students to become more effective group members and leaders by giving them research-based tools and practical applications to participate successfully in teams. The course tends to be taught by the same instructors every year or term, and the book is often chosen by that individual rather than by committee. The format of the course won't vary tremendously from school to school, so tables of contents in the small group communication books aren't radically different from one another. Some instructors want to use more case studies and experiential exercises for beginning students or offer more current research theory for upper-division students of communication.

Genres: Textbooks, Reference, Communication, Business, Nonfiction

496 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative text. I found the content interesting so I enjoyed reading it. The author presents the information in a quasi-conversational way which helped me with retention. It reminded me of an engaging professor’s lecture as opposed to a compact informational text.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think there are a lot of good resources in this text, and for the most part a very clear explanation of many of the intricacies of small group communication, particularly in the area of problem solving. That being said, it does feel like the recommendations that the book sometimes leans into are kind of generalizations that don't seem to be substantiated, and even though this edition of the book was totally redesigned, there still lacks some kind of comprehensive framework for tying the sometimes disparate areas of each chapter in to the whole mindset of small groups and communication. Overall a great resource, though, one that I'm happy to use and refer to.

[Dana Raber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I liked the content a lot. I learned quite a bit. My favorite part was the author’s writing style, it was subtle and kinda funny.

3 stars because I struggled with the massive blocks of text and repetitive nature of the layout. Generally, the chapters were a bit long-winded. Not too bad though.

[Asher Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of skimming here. Don't really deserve to count it as logged. It's probably better than 3 stars.

Far too proud of myself for recognizing the models from one the stock images as the same people from the Distracted Boyfriend meme.

[Bobbi Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of good information and advice and I'm actually going to keep it. It was super frustrating to read, sometimes, as it seemed to draw out a point way beyond the necessary.

[Haley Lipford]

Read for class. N/R

[Kristy Marquez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Textbook

[Courtney Tabor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was stuck teaching a Small Group Communication class this term that I never would’ve chosen and would never like to do ever again.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!