Examines procedural messages and group work habits of 20 three-person groups, 10 who preferred a tightly structured work cliamte and 10 who preferred a free-associative work routine. Results revealed that structured groups used abstract headings that organized group talk, while free-associative groups used specific details on a content-related…

Investigated reliability and dimensionality of Bales's Interpersonal Rating Forms (IRF) using volunteer subjects (N=266) enrolled in undergraduate communications course. Results documented shortcomings of IRF as a measuring instrument finding the subscales neither reliable nor dimensionally structured; only 2 of 18 items in each subscale are…

Investigates the relative and interactive effects of rater-, and ratee-, relationship-, situational-, and group-level contingencies on peer assessments of open communication. Results suggest that, given certain procedural conditions, peer assessments are highly reliable and valid. Rater bias accounted for a relatively small amount of rating…

The modeling of group experience analogues (or the vicarious observation of such analogues) is by itself ineffective for enhancing attraction to group experiences. Changes were enhanced and of longer duration when modeling was accompanied by social reinforcement of desired behavior. (Author)

Describes a research project examining non-professional knowledge of and attitudes to sensitivity training groups. A questionnaire was distributed to college students, police officers and members of a group dynamics class. Results indicate that all three groups had fairly positive attitudes towards sensitivity training. (NG)

Analyzed contrasting assumptions of three theoretical orientations used to explain mixed-sex small group interaction through observation of two mixed-sex, human relations training groups of undergraduate students (N=45). Found no support for sex-role differentiation or adaptation orientations but did find support for role-status expectation…

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)

Assessed relationship between cohesion and dimensions of self-disclosure in classroom setting versus therapy groups and intimate relationships. Determined that unintentional and positive disclosures rather than self-disclosure were associated with high classroom cohesion. (Author/CM)