The purpose of this study was to describe and determine the prevalence of decision-making characteristics of recreational backcountry groups when making a decision of where to travel and ride in avalanche terrain from the perspective of individuals. Decision-making characteristics encompassed communication, decision-making processes, leadership,…

Studies on individual and group problem solving from the past 15 years are brought together in this volume. Four sections of the book consider individual problem solving and the search for a possible unique factor in creativity. The next four sections concern themselves with the various aspects of group problem solving, and a final part of the…

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of varying leader selection systems on the performance of political decision-making groups (judges). The type of leadership choice of the court was the independent variable and degree of dissent the dependent variable. As predicted, merit choice had less dissent. (NG)

By reviewing this analysis of the behavior of both groups and individuals in groups, human resources managers can learn to tell whether committees, task forces, and departments may be encouraging or inhibiting the work they set out to do. (Author)

This article focuses on the following areas of group process: the nature of the task group, the steps taken to reach a decision, and the ways in which a leader can effectively manage the inevitable conflict that emerges within groups as the problem-solving process progresses. (CT)

Findings suggest, among others, that argumentativeness is an important variable in the perception of leadership, with the highly argumentative individual chosen leader over the moderate or mildly argumentative individual. Highly argumentative individuals were also rated as more influential on the group's decision. (PD)

Four dimensions that must be present for a group to function effectively are elaborated in this guide: (1) commitment of members to a common purpose; (2) leadership that facilitates organization and structuring to accomplish these purposes; (3) open communication among members; and (4) a climate of acceptance and trust. Defining a group as any…

This special edition of "Communication" brings together the work of nine leading scholars of small group communication. The following topics are discussed: (1) small group communication research in the 1980s; (2) unanswered questions in research on communication in the small group; (3) emerging trends in small group research; (4)…

This document is designed to help facilitators with the formation and development of effective teams of people who have no previous history as a team and no training in group processes. Part 1 provides a narrative explanation of the stages of group development (investing in membership, forming attachments to subgroups, confronting/debating issues,…

The behavioral sciences and findings from important research studies are used as the theoretical basis for describing many of the concepts, practices, and issues in educational administration. Seven chapters cover the following topics: (1) The system of education, (2) the legal basis for education, (3) the use of theory and research in educational…

Outlines four stages of group development in the classroom (Inclusion and Membership, Establishing Shared Influence and Collaborative Decision Making, Pursuing Individual and Academic Goals, Self-Renewal: Adapting to Changes), exercises to facilitate each stage, and the teacher's role throughout. (LC)

THE TRAINING MATERIALS IN THIS MANUAL ARE INTENDED FOR USE IN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, AN APPROACH TO REGIONAL, COUNTY, OR COMMUNITY NEEDS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES. THE PURPOSES ARE (1) TO TRAIN CITIZENS TO ANALYZE THEIR NEEDS AND SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS AND (2) TO TRAIN PROFESSIONALS TO MAKE MORE EFFECTIVE…