In this closing commentary to the special edition of "Learning Disability Quarterly" ("LDQ") on parent voice in educational decision making for students with learning disabilities, we briefly survey main topics from each article, illuminating important findings from the authors, along with several questions they raise, and…

In this address, I ask a number of questions including: What are the tidemarks of our time? In response, I make three points. First, we live in a neoliberal world driven by the myth of disinterested markets. Second, CAE and its leadership has always been interested in issues of social justice. Third, I argue that relationships are a vital part of…

This article presents the authors' response to Hewes's (1986, 1996, 2009) models of communication effects on small group outcomes. As sophisticated and thoughtful as Hewes's new model is, however, the authors take issue with it. For one, there is reason to question whether his approach is feasible. For another, his models are not founded on solid…

This article presents the author's response to Professor Hewes's "The Influence of Communication Processes on Group Outcomes: Antithesis and Thesis." The author believes that Hewes could have been more helpful to the reader and to those who are apt to find inspiration in the steps he has taken in his essay to promote a "return to basic theorizing…

Argues that a modification of the heuristics of classical rhetoric will facilitate an understanding of the dynamics of group decision making and provide a systematic process for attaining consensus. (Author)

Meetings are an integral and time consuming part of almost everyone's life. Meetings can become a vital form of communication and interaction, and thus become an important and useful management tool if they are carefully planned, conducted, and followed up. Specific ways of conducting meetings, such as the Nominal Group Technique, the Interaction…

For greater effectiveness, attention should be paid to how group decisions are made. The process of consensus-seeking encourages appraisal of more information and provides a broader range of potential alternatives. (SK)

In a videotape analysis of five National Issues Forums, I investigate the nature of deliberative talk in small group deliberative settings. I show that deliberative talk in these forums mostly takes the form of storytelling. I argue that storytelling helps participants overcome barriers to deliberation, such as lack of knowledge and the need to…

Identifies six major factors that exerted influence on the decision-making process that led to the launch of the space shuttle, Challenger, on January 28, 1986. Concludes that decision to launch Challenger resulted from complex interplay among a number of cognitive, psychological, and social forces constituting the decision environment. (Author/NB)

Argues importance of communication for group decision-making performance and its impact on such performance are function of three task characteristics: structure, information requirement, and evaluation demand. Identifies task circumstances in which group communication can be expected to play role in determining decision-making performance, as…

Describes a new technology called Group Decision Support Systems, which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of meetings in a variety of organizational contexts. (SR)

Discusses the need to expand spatial analysis based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and display methods to encompass group decision-making processes. Descriptions of enhancements and additions to software that will enable GIS technology to be used by groups are included. Issues highlighted include implementation and design. (54 references)…

This article briefly discusses some important elements of group effectiveness, then outlines characteristics of groupthink, provides examples of situations in which it occurs, and recommends actions in each case for preventing or lessening it. (Author/CT)

Discusses Johnson's theory that information can be gathered in either a systematic or spontaneous manner and that this information will be analyzed either internally or externally, and considers some of its implications for understanding group interactions. Models of decision-making styles and characteristics and the problem-solving process are…

States that the contrast of face-to-face communication with computer-mediated communication (CMC), either experimentally or experientially, may be a valuable way for teaching group dynamics and group decision making in educational settings. Suggests several ways to facilitate the use of CMC in single-session experimental and experiential…