Two studies are presented. The first explores the convergent and disciminant validity of the Interpersonal Relations Scale (IRS). The second explores the hypothesis that, if the IRS measures intimacy, subjects ought to report performing the IRS behaviors more often in intimate than in causal relationships, regardless of overall interpersonal…

Dimensions of group self-disclosure, intimacy and immediacy, were examined in two experiments using college student (N=273) subjects who viewed four videotapes of group interactions. Groups in which members made more disclosures about intimate topics were percieved as more cohesive. Higher immediacy, however, was not associated with increased…

College students (N=18) participating in personal growth groups completed questionnaires about consistency, consensus, and distinctivenesses of feedback received from the group. Findings argue that consensus is an important variable in determining whether feedback is accepted and in channeling attributions of reasons for why particular feedback is…

Used the Interpersonal Conflict Coding Scheme to examine the conflict expression episode and the conflict resolution episode and to evaluate utterances of six problem-solving groups. Developed interaction profiles of conflict expression and conflict resolution episodes and initial, middle, and final group stages. (RC)

Results of this study reflect changes in the T-group model suggested by authors in the literature. Trainers currently leading groups tend to differ in theoretical orientations. They appear to be running T-groups which frequently have a personal growth and individual orientation, although some still have a primarily group dynamics orientation.…

Hypothesized that stability of a friendly dyadic interpersonal relationship varies with similarity of perceived views of problems of lasting concern. Students (N=76) at the Indian Institute of Technology completed a three-part questionnaire about friendly relationships, Individual Problem Blank, and Problem Checklist. Results supported the…

Examined the interaction patterns of adult creative problem solvers within small, leaderless groups. Presented divergent thinking problems to two groups and categorized their discussions. Results indicated the creative person plays a central role in determining task-oriented directions by initiating and receiving more orienting behaviors. (RC)

Tests the hypothesis that openness between coleaders has a constructive effect on group process and outcome. Results of this investigation converge to support this prediction. Quality of group process and evaluations of leadership were positively and significantly associated. Similarly, ratings of coleadership correlated in a statistically…

Reports analyses by topical cycle and group meeting of nine videotaped group discussions to extend Bales and Strodtbeck's often cited phase research. The analysis by group meeting suggesting an underlying motivational structure for phase progression, offers support of a three-phase hypothesis. (Author)

Provides an insight into the group process of therapy and compares and contrasts the T-group process with therapy group process. The here-and-now orientation was present in T-group and therapy-group interaction. Greater relational conflict was present in the T-group. Members of the therapy group were much more defensive than members of the…

Presents two studies of the influence of group size, prior acquaintance, and gender composition on talking and silence in decision making groups (N=157). Results suggested that friends talked more than strangers, and leaders talked more than nonleaders. Group differences were reflected more dramatically in patterns of silence. (JAC)

Three investigations were conducted to examine the consistency of classroom seating among college students. These three studies indicate that both biological sex and psychological sex may be important when studying human territoriality. (Author)

Presents literature relevant to initial group structure and advances a model of group development based upon personal construct theory. The proposed model illuminates the relationship between initial structure and the psychological processes underlying group development. Research questions are posited to advance empirical tests of the model. (RC)

Investigated the relationship between behavior variables and pretherapy variables and found significant positive relationships. The amount of work a patient produced in a therapy group was highly related to pretraining levels of on-task behavior. Psychiatric interview variables were poor predictors of pretraining behaviors. (JAC)

Analyzed the complete interaction of high and low consensus groups in a basic small group course. Interaction analysis indicated that both the relational and content levels of communication are significantly different for high versus low consensus groups. The conclusion that increased feedback leads to decision satisfaction was confirmed. (JAC)