There has been in the field of psychology a long and well-documented discontent with an apparent disorganization in its literature, most often interpreted as reflecting the absence of a unifying theory. This article examines some alternative ways in which some of the disorganization is being actively created by forms of argumentation used in…

Report of study of how social distance between Whites and Blacks is affected by degree of identification with one's own group and perceived external threat from other group. The results place in question the idea that ingroup integration necessarily leads to outgroup differentiation. However, it was found that the degree of perceived external…

Presents study results examining social pressure within sexually homogenous groups. Explains that cohesiveness, based on common beliefs, was established in half of the sample while prevented in the remainder. Reports that groups were required to reach consensus after conflict was introduced. Concludes that low cohesion groups showed the greatest…

Described are the history of three German-heritage groups settled in Pennsylvania: the Solitary of Ephrata Commune, the Amish, and the Harmony Society. Suggested are pastoral, agrarian, and commercial agricultural analogs to life-support strategies of these groups respectively. Faustian agriculture emphasizing the connection of agriculture to…

Presents results of a study contrasting different forms of group cohesiveness in a student military organization. Reports that task cohesiveness was more strongly associated with lower role uncertainty, higher individual performance, and lower absenteeism than was interpersonal cohesiveness. Concludes that data provide evidence for a…

It is well known that human development is influenced by social change. In particular, as evidenced by research on German unification, the rapid change of social institutions can impact on various aspects of behaviour and development. Based on my own research experience in this field, I want to show the necessity for a better interdisciplinary…

Subscales of the Sheltered Care Environmental Scale dealing with conflict, cohesion, and independence were administered to 47 adults with moderate mental retardation on 4 occasions using either a verbal format or picture-cued format. Results indicated that the use of pictures enhanced the test-retest reliability of the instrument. (Author/JDD)

Recommends developing a secure, positive sense of one's racial identity through questioning preexisting attitudes and examining the past and present relationships between one's own and other groups. Describes several models of positive ethnic identity development for minority and white students. Discusses the implications of this research for…

Reports on a class on deviance that focuses on sociological and transformative processes imbedded in deviant groups. Specifically examines "deviance production groups," groups that turn normal people into deviants (Branch Davidians, Ku Klux Klan). The class is largely structured around group discussions and presentations. (MJP)

Asserts that, although no one can predict what kinds of history U.S. historians will be writing in the 21st century, it is reasonable to ask what history might be needed and how scholars might address these needs. Provides four suggestions for priorities in historical research. (CFR)

Discussion of teamwork and group decision making focuses on study of undergraduates conducted to identify the variables that affect team cohesion in a business game. A literature review on small groups and business games is presented, hypotheses tested are described, discriminant analyses are explained, and suggestions for further research are…

Presents a naturalistic study involving 112 Hong Kong Chinese college psychology students who worked in small groups. Reveals the perceived fairness of all group members receiving the same grade related positively to group cohesiveness. Also shows students' endorsement of receiving same grade depends on low contributors' personality, previous…

Presents the results of a case study of 9- to 11-year-olds' understanding of nationalism and collective identity in Scotland. Compares the responses of mostly-white Edinburgh students with those drawn from a multiethnic cohort from English schools. Examines the policy implications of these results. (MJP)

Proposes a mode of religious education that accentuates the self-actualizing, humanistic aspects of religious thought while downplaying the exclusionary and confrontational pathologies. Maintains that the power of spiritual commitment, devoid of rancorous judgments, can be a force for positive global transformation. (MJP)

Maintains that sociology must reconceptualize the meaning of multiethnic societies and regions and also advance theories about how such social organizations came into being and transform themselves through conflicting and peaceful processes. Briefly reviews traditional approaches and outlines new areas of study. (MJP)