Uses a laboratory experiment involving role-playing groups to show that an assigned majority rule is likely to lead to higher-quality solutions than unanimity and no-decision rule. Results indicated under majority rule workers resistance to the foreman's power often resulted in a successful search for a better solution. (JAC)

Examined the relationship between the social and task dimensions of small groups. Developed a measure of group members' feelings of cohesion. Demonstrated that perceptions about the quality of group interactions, goal attainment, group satisfaction, and group solidarity are significantly and positively related. (RC)

This paper reports on the relationships between group composition, leadership and decisions through a study of small groups engaged in preferential bargaining about problems with open solution sets. The relationships were analyzed and can be compared best against the background of traditional approaches. (Author)

The author describes a technique used in encounter groups, called query, which is action oriented and aims at promoting the self insight of group members. Asking questions of one another and role playing are two major aspects of the technique described. (SE)

Reassesses Tallman's proposition that the optimum family structure for effective problem-solving is one that provides for open communication, centralized authority, and consensus about family roles and goals. Suggests a revised basis for Tallman's view: achieved centrality of organization, obtained when groups structure themselves as part of 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)

Examines the relationship between sex and sex- type and leadership in small discussion groups. Results indicate personality influences leadership only during initial group interaction. The best characterization of social and task leadership is via psychological sex type rather than biological sex. Suggests leadership style dogmatism and motivation…

Summarizes research on disjunctive versus conjunctive, and multistage versus single-stage problem solving in a classroom setting. Concludes that students working in groups are less likely to drop out of class, give higher subjective motivation to learn ratings, perform better on tests, know more classmates, and score higher on Raven's Progressive…

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)

Observed college students (N=195) divided according to sex and measures of wittiness to determine the effects of humor on problem solving in groups. Results showed that group composition was not a crucial issue in problem-solving performance, but that humerous group interaction was, and did not interfere with ongoing task performance. (LLL)

Evaluated the use of a Multimodal Behavior Therapy (MBT) orientation in group counseling of aged subjects. MBT techniques centered on identifying problems of group members and defining how the problem affected the person. Results indicated that group-counseled aged subjects showed a significant reduction in reported problems. Includes…

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)

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)

Marathon group counseling groups can produce attitude changes among offenders with histories of illicit drug use. Participants learned that counselors could be significant figures in their lives as they worked through guilt feelings and learned to face reality. (Author/JAC)

This article describes a study done to compare, quantitatively and qualitatively, the problem-solving and decision-making performance of four populations: business administration students, middle managers, elementary school teachers and elementary and secondary school principals. Results show business administration students and middle managers…