The first course in group work was taught in 1923 and was followed by a growing recognition in social work education of the importance of preparing students to work with groups. Unfortunately by the end of the 1970s group work located within a generalist curriculum had all but disappeared. This article presents a single course elective that…

The study investigated the relationship between group process training and group effectiveness. Statistical tests of the data revealed (1) significantly greater distribution of participation, (2) a significantly smaller percentage of self oriented contributions and a higher proportion of group oriented contributions and (3) significantly higher…

This paper proposes a model for the long-term scientific study of encounter, T-, and sensitivity groups. The authors see the need for overcoming major methodological and design inadequacies of such research. They discuss major methodological flaws in group outcome research as including: (1) lack of adequate base rate or pretraining measures; (2)…

This report contains abstracts of 20 selected research studies related to individuals working as a group to achieve a goal. Each abstract consists of these components: author(s) or researcher(s); title; source (journal citation); purpose of the research; participants; method; results; and discussion. In general, the studies show that working in…

Time-extended groups provide the following: (1) they ease the need to get things started immediately, (2) they provide the opportunity for interaction to be carried to its natural end-point, (3) they allow a greater range of techniques to be experienced by members, (4) they increase the chances for therapeutic contact, (5) they allow participants…

This book is intended to assist group leaders, teachers, counselors, and peer helpers in the development of relationships and active learning. The first chapter, "Icebreakers," begins with an overview that explains the nature, purpose, and importance of these activities. Icebreakers are used to help group members learn about each other in a…

The teacher interns participating in the Pittsburgh Teacher Corps Pre-Service Program are divided into groups for training. This questionnaire was designed to elicit responses from their trainers regarding group atmosphere, relationships, interactions, activities, and progress during each separate session attended by each group. Trainers also…

Group members tend to like other members of their own group more than members of groups to which they do not belong. This paper focuses on some of the initial determinants of this own-group preference and on the isolation of factors which increase or decrease it. The major finding appears to be that the mere anticipation of cooperation or…

The growth of the popularity of encounter groups brings up some questions: (1) who can best benefit from groups; (2) what qualities are necessary for proper leadership; (3) how can group objectives be clearly defined. (CJ)

Describes characteristics of immature, or regressive groups, including avoidance of conflict, abdication of responsibility, and psychic numbness; and characteristics of mature, or generative groups, including group transcendence. Examines the notion of group mind and concludes that the evolution of mind is dependent on the group's psychological…

This study examines the normalcy of adolescent risk-taking and proposes that the social adventures of adolescents have significance for the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships and self-identity. To evaluate the narrative role of shared risks in transforming different types of relationships, an interview procedure was…

Proposes that many works of art can be viewed as the products of a group and not just the individual artist. Examines the life history of a group of impressionist painters. Discusses how a group develops over time, group processes, and how the group contributes to artistic development. (RC)

Used Hill Interaction Matrix to measure content and quality of interactions in 12-hour therapy group of 12 male drug addicts and 3 therapists. Categories of therapeutic work included conventional, assertive, speculative, and confrontive; categories of content included topic, group, personal, and relationship. Group was highly confrontive; most…

A study examining small group performance replicated and extended a previous study by L. Kelly and R. L. Duran to reanalyze their operationalization of cohesiveness. To test the hypotheses of the original study and to explore questions about using the polarization index as an indication of group cohesiveness, the study used a large number of…