In this study the differences in ecumenical worldview development are examined by race for 3,300 college students from 135 institutions. Results indicate that all students exhibited significant growth through college in ecumenical worldview, and students of color (Black, Asian, and Latino students) exhibited significantly higher levels of…

This is a report of changes on scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory following a marathon experience. Pretest and posttest results indicated changes in scores of an experimental group on those scales: Inner Direction, Existentiality, Feeling Reactivity, Spontaneity, Self Acceptance, Acceptance of Aggression, Capacity for Intimate Contact.…

The credibility of personal information selected by members of small groups to describe each other's characteristics and delivered to the members by the group leader without naming the source was studied. Positive feedback was rated by recipients as more credible, desirable, and as having more impact than negative feedback. (Author)

Eighteen college students participated in a 24-hour marathon group and responded to the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) immediately before and after the experience. The results disclosed significant positive changes at the .05 level on 11 of 18 scales on this inventory. (Author)

Effects of a group eontract specifically calling for self-disclosure was investigated. Frequency and depth of self disclosure were increased but level of intimacy of topics discussed was not. Group cohesiveness was enhanced by the contract but it decreased members' mutual liking. (Author/EAK)

Examined effects of a structured learning time interval (SLTI) in growth groups on member self-esteem, perceived level of group interaction, and verbal participation in 81 undergraduate college students. Found use of SLTI had no significant effect on self-esteem, perceived interaction, or verbal participation. (Author/ABL)

Examined 13 training groups for which developmental patterns were previously established to test hypotheses relating individual development to group development. Results support hypothesis that changes in social constructs used by participants after training to describe themselves and others are a function of specific developmental patterns of the…

This paper reviews the results of three investigations of the effects of marathon Gestalt workshops on the measured self-actualization of volunteer, college student participants. In the first study, 10 students participated in a weekend workshop at the university counseling center. Subjects completed the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) before…

A course designed to enhance the growth of students was recently introduced in the occupational therapy curriculum of the University of Washington. (CB)

This study evaluated behavior change occurring after a marathon group experience, with a focus on individualized rather than shared behavioral change criteria. The individualization of behavior change criteria is based on the assertion that few, if any, single change criteria are appropriate or realistic for assessing change in all individuals.…

During a 1-day ropes course, 84 university residence assistants were exposed to 1 of 3 facilitation techniques (no debriefing, debriefing following experience, and using metaphors to frame upcoming experience). Results indicate that the experience was effective in producing individual and group change, metaphoric facilitation produced greater…

This study compares the differential effectiveness of two experiential approaches, direct and vicarious, to the induction of change in self-reports of attitudes toward personal growth groups. University undergraduate volunteers were assigned and exposed to one of three treatment conditions: 1) a structured, direct experience in a micro-laboratory…

This account draws on the experience of five final-year students of human communication and one tutor from the Manchester Metropolitan University who conducted collaborative research into life stages. The research was personally developmental for all those involved and resulted in an increased sense of personal power. The authors discuss the use…

Many outdoor educators and adventure therapists share the belief that adventure experiences improve participant self-esteem. Recently, researchers have begun to question this widespread belief, suggesting that a mismatch between the level of physical or psychological risk and the level of client readiness may produce negative outcomes. A study of…

Student organization development (SOD) is an emerging technology for conducting intentional student development through positive alteration of student organizations. One model (CORE) for conceptualizing SOD is in use at the Student Development Center of the University of Cincinnati. The CORE model to SOD is comprised of three concentric rings, the…