This text investigates how specific communication functions within small groups directly influence the quality of decision-making and task completion. Michael Burgoon, a scholar in communication theory, utilizes a functionalist framework to analyze group interactions. The book argues that group success is not merely a product of individual talent but is contingent upon the performance of essential communicative tasks that facilitate group goals.

Experts in the field of communication studies recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of group interaction. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is geared toward students and researchers seeking a structured, theoretical approach to group dynamics.