Discusses the definition and origin of the term "groupthink." Examines three studies on groupthink by John Courtright (1978), Matie Flowers (1977), and Philip Tetlock (1979). Concludes none of the three is superior to another but that it can be learned from all three that group decision making is fraught with danger. (ABL)

Two well-known theories are empirically tested in relation to a self-analytic group; in addition, their generalizability to a similar sort of group, a therapy group, is explored. The theories explored are those of Schutz and Slater. (Author)

Analyzed group discussions associated with 68 high-quality and 29 low-quality decisions made by comparably informed groups using cross-contact comparison. Found vigilance, second-guessing, and accurate information processing associated with high-quality decisions; faulty information processing and improbable fantasy chains with low-quality…

Explores the reactions of single persons and small groups-each in a room they had territorialized- and to compare these against the reactions of singles and small groups who were in a comparable room which they had not territorialized. (Author)

Examined if making group goals of decision acceptance and quality explicit versus leaving them unstated would influence the decision-making effectiveness of male and female interacting groups. Explicitly stating that group members should strive for acceptance increased group decision-making quality and increased individual acceptance of the group…

Investigated the effects of nonverbal warm-up exercises on group effectiveness as compared to a group using verbal warm-up exercises. Results support the hypothesis that nonverbal warm-up exercises add to the effectiveness of the group counseling process. (RC)

Tests the hypothesis that cognitive-experiential pretraining is beneficial in promoting openness and honesty among members of a psychotherapy group. The hypothesis is supported. (HMV)

Members of two types of self-help groups assessed the occurence of various helping processes in their groups. Found self-help groups emphasized supportive and expressive processes while avoiding confrontive processes; and behavioral techniques were used more frequently by behavioral control groups than by stress coping groups. (RC)