Robert Bostrom has not only left a listening legacy, but he was also a pioneer in the larger discipline of communication. Bostrom was one of the first scholars to focus on the dynamics of interpersonal contexts, thereby directly contributing to the transition of our field from "speech" to "communication." Early on he recognized the importance of…

The widespread use of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the higher education sector in recent years highlights the importance of forging successful relationships with employers, business, industry and government. This article reports on a large ethnographic study conducted by Victoria University into host organisations' perceptions of WIL.…

Proposes a synthesis based on persuasive argument theories but including a revised social comparison component to account for group polarization. Indicates that group members first lean toward risk or caution based on the proportion of arguments on "both sides" but henceforth argue for the "correct side" using their…

Seeks empirical data on whether communication is an essential element of effective decision making and whether the variance in group decision making is best accounted for by noninteraction or interaction sources. Shows that group communication is related to group performance independent of the influence of noncommunication factors like group…

Examines the structure of participants' conceptions of ideal group discussion procedures. Finds that about one-half of the participants favor a "reach-testing" procedure, one-fifth a linear procedure, one-fifth a procedure beginning with reach-testing and ending with a linear stage, and one-tenth beginning with a linear stage and ending with…

Highlights broad philosophical issues and future areas of research on personal relationships that derive from the author's earlier work. Discusses the dialectics associated with intraindividual, interpersonal, and intergroup dynamics as well as the effect of the physical environment on personal relationships. (RS)

Examines what we know and don't know about group leadership and concludes that current metaphors which guide inquiry into leadership are incapable of dealing with the complexity inherent in the phenomenon. Describes and adapts an alternative metaphor, leader as medium, to group communication as relationships. (BH)

Presents an initial formulation of a dysfunctional group dynamic in which one focal individual creates a dysfunctional group. Identifies habits of individuals and properties of systems that result in the emergence of such an individual. Presents the interactional dynamics which constitute and sustain this group dynamic and discusses three types of…

Examines whether self-reported scores on a measure of self-monitoring would be related to leader emergence in student groups working on realistic, sustained projects. Reveals a low but significant correlation between self-monitoring and leader emergence and a negligible relationship in the overall sample but a significant moderate correlation in a…

A review of the research studies of individual and small group interaction suggests ideas for enhancing the effectiveness of group performance. The more salient aspects include collaboration, commitment, and interaction of group members. The key seems to be the dynamic role of interaction in the group structure. The degree to which the group…

Discusses the development and description of a comprehensive framework to explain small group behavior labeled the Matrix Model. Argues that a synthesis of knowledge from the adaptive, developmental, structural, transactional, and gestalt points of view will provide a more meaningful and useful understanding of small groups. (LLL)

Analyses qat sessions (small-group social gatherings centered on the use of a mild, euphoric stimulant, qat) in North Yemen. Explores their communicative form and function. (SR)

Examines the conversational organization of shared laughter. Finds that in 70 percent of two-party cases the current speaker initiates shared laughter, but that in more than 70 percent of multi-party cases examined, someone other than the current speaker initiates shared laughter. (MS)

Explores the effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and face-to-face (FTF) media on group performance of college students. Finds that CMC groups generated a greater number of unique ideas than FTF groups but that CMC groups took longer to reach consensus than FTF groups. Discusses implications and recommendations for media combination…

Explores the effects on other group members of positive and negative responses directed by one member of a discussion group to another. Finds significant differences between treatments for members' attitudes toward their group, but mixed support for the predicted sequence of treatment effects. Notes that the results differ notably from those…