Notes 1986 as marking the 50th birthday of group therapy and briefly reviews the history of group therapy beginning with the first group therapy session conducted by Paul Schilder in the 1930s. (NB)

Addresses the role of metaphoric expression in groups, providing a rationale for its therapeutic potential and suggesting methods for illuminating it as a means of understanding and promoting group development. Several case examples are provided. (Author)

Presents a model for understanding how individuals manifest conflict in group psychotherapy and the major changes in technique following from this model. Proposes that individuals make unconscious decisions to expose conflict when it is safe to do so, as opposed to traditional dynamic theory. A clinical example demonstrates technical innovations…

Examines the proposition that members of a group unconsciously displace the shadow of the group onto other groups to reduce feelings of internal conflict and threat within the group. Characteristics of the group shadow, as well as its psychodynamic function within and between groups are described. (Author/BL)

Used meta-analysis to examine duration of group experience and structure provided by leader in counseling groups from 26 studies. Group composition appeared to have greatest effect in unstructured group which was relatively long in duration. Leaders using short-term, structured groups may be less concerned with composition, as its potential effect…

Discusses the interactive nature of adult illiteracy and emotional maladjustment. Specific emphasis is placed on describing a series of psychological barriers to learning: ambivalence about success; fear of risk taking; overdependence on authority figures; tension; defensive dominance; and intrusive memories of poor learning experiences. A group…

Interpersonal feedback is an important component of most group therapy approaches. This review identifies feedback as a multidimensional rather than a unidimensional construct. The literature is reviewed in terms of acceptance of feedback, effects of receiving feedback, willingness to deliver feedback, and therapeutic effects of delivering…

Reviews the available research that does not find development in group processes. Concluded that researchers should no longer try to answer the question of whether groups change but should identify significant differences and similarities in group development among various groups and types of groups. (LLL)

Different approaches to group therapy can be conceptualized as a continuum made up of possible group goals clustered around three points, i.e., therapy in, with, and of the group. For each point, the goal, pathology, focus/content, communication patterns, therapist's/patient's roles, and optimal size are delineated. (HLM)

Explores use of metaphoric and symbolic imagery to clarify and work through group dynamics. With an eye toward tying imagery interventions to a therapeutic rationale, various levels of group intervention (individual, interpersonal, and group-as-a-whole) are discussed and therapeutic goals at each level specified. Clinical vignettes explicate how…

Sociologists and other scholars have long noted that the relationship of friendship contributes to mental health. Consequently, they have developed various interventions to promote friendship, from describing and quantifying it to designing programs to help the friendless. The background upon which groups were designed to promote the development…

Discusses a model based on a specific set of assumptions about causality and effectiveness in interactional groups. Discusses personal qualities of group facilitators and proposes five major functions and seven skill clusters central to effective group facilitation. (Author/BH)

Explored possible differences in group leader (N=32) and member (N=32) reactions to three interventions that seem likely to elicit strong reactions from both leaders and members. Results supported the belief that group leaders and members often enter a group with differing expectations and perceptions. (LLL)

Examined the effects of three group leadership styles (structured T-group, rotating leadership, Rogerian) on the personal and interpersonal functioning of 67 counselor trainees. Results from the pretest, posttest, and 6-8 week follow-up suggest that differences among the groups could be attributed in part to group leadership styles. (Author/BL)

Describes a feeling-oriented, unstructured group approach promoting social learning among prisoner-participants. Groups evolve through a series of developmental stages during which members assume more responsibility for themselves and others in working through problems of living. Group facilitators need to recognize stages and allow for…