Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills - Couverture souple

David W. Johnson is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota.  He is Co-Director of the Cooperative Learning Center.  He received his doctoral degree in social psychology from Columbia University.  His research areas include social interdependence (cooperation and competition) and conflict resolution.  He is a past-editor of the American Educational Research Journal.  He has authored over 500 research articles and book chapters.  He is the author of over 50 books, including Reaching Out:  Interpersonal Effectiveness and Self-Actualization, Active Learning:  Cooperation in the College Classroom, Cooperation in the Classroom, Creative Controversy, Teaching Students To Be Peacemakers, and Cooperation and Competition:  Theory and Research.  He has received numerous awards from such organizations as the American Psychological Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the Interactional Association for Conflict Management. 

Frank P. Johnson graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received a Masters of  Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School in Boston and his Doctor in Ministry degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological School. He has 35 years experience in the field of Applied Behavioral Science, with professional recognition from NTL Institute of Applied Behavioral Science, Association for Creative Change, Consultant/Trainers Southwest, and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Training and Consulting. He was employed for 13 years at the University of Maryland Counseling Center, teaching group counseling, and, during that time was a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Maryland School of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. He has written many journal articles, contributed chapters to books, and is the co-author of Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills. He has been a consultant with a variety of organizations, including educational, governmental, religious, and industrial. From 1984 - 1996 he was employed at Ethyl Corporation as a Human Resources Development Associate. Since his retirement from Ethyl, he has served as an Interim Minister in several churches and is now employed as a Chaplain for Canon Hospice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Joining Together introduces readers to the theory and research needed to understand how to make groups effective and, through exercises and thorough explanations, equips them with the skills required to apply that knowledge to practical situations.

Chapters discuss the history of groups and group dynamics, the nature of experiential learning, group goals, communication within groups, leadership, power, decision making, controversy and creativity, and conflict management.  More applied chapters focus on valuing diversity, cooperative learning, leading counseling groups, and team development and training.

The new edition of this best-selling text features:

• New sections on controversy and creativity
• New individual and group exercises
• A focus on new technologies
• Greater focus on minority influence, group goals, and diversity

and many other updates and changes.

Joining Together introduces readers to the theory and research needed to understand how to make groups effective and, through exercises and thorough explanations, equips them with the skills required to apply that knowledge to practical situations.