IN MIXED COMPANY has shown a substantial increase in popularity and acclaim with each successive edition. Consequently, in the Fifth Edition, the author preserved the essence of previous versions, and expanded somewhat the central unifying theme that cooperation in small groups is usually superior to competition. In Mixed Company thoroughly addresses the theme of cooperation in small groups. The communication competence model continues to guide discussions of key small group concepts and processes. Systems theory also remains as a key theoretical component of the text and finally, an extensive discussion and analysis of power in small groups continues to separate IN MIXED COMPANY from other textbooks.