This new text is the most current, interesting, academically rigorous, and applied textbook on the market for courses in small group behavior. Replete with illustrations, case studies, concrete examples and the type of content interesting to today's students. Readers will appreciate the text's unique and engaging writing style that is fully understandable without the sacrifice of depth and substance in content. Each chapter features an opening case study and a concluding open-ended case study; entire chapters are devoted to Virtual Teams (Chapter 13), Effective Team Performance (Chapter 11), and Creativity and Diversity (Chapter 9); includes discussion and evaluation of the most current and familiar technology (such as FaceBook, Instant Messenger, text messaging, Google Documents, and Windows Live); and the most current and accurate research on groups and teams is infused throughout each chapter. Balancing a solid theoretical framework with practical knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will ensure positive group experiences, readers of this text will be fully prepared to succeed and work in groups and teams in the world abound.