ABSTRACT
This chapter defines group communication as a distinct field of communication scholarship, and then describes the decision-making and collaborative processes used by groups and teams. The chapter reviews five areas of historically important research for group communication scholars: (a) information and influence, (b) group polarization and (c) the hidden profile, (d) groupthink, and (e) the functional theory of group decision-making. Turning to current trends and areas that need innovative methodologies, the authors describe research on diversity among group members, and the use of technology in group members’ communication. The chapter concludes with several research directions and discussion questions.
