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)…

Criticisms of confrontation groups are: (1) excessive anti-intellectualism; (2) neglect of phenomenon that experience can bring about worse as well as better adjustment; (3) labeling activities as group dynamics but transforming process into group therapy; and (4) reluctance of leaders to accept responsibility for their actions and inactions.…

Many school districts are using human relations training and organization development to help groups solve problems, set goals, and work toward achieving objectives. (Author)

Based on an address at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (75th, Washington, D.C., September 1967). Research supported by U.S. Public Health Service Contract MH-08563-03.

This paper focuses on a comparison of two models, with special attention to the ways in which authority and peer relations are viewed. The need for theoretical and technical amalgamation to advance our understanding of group phenomena is stressed. A comment by James Crowfoot, University of Michigan follows. (Author)

This book describes a program that deals with group dynamics and applies encounter group techniques to the training of teachers. The program consists of two weeks of encounter during the summer; a 3-day workshop just prior to the start of school; and monthly curriculum workshops, monthly encounter groups, and periodic visitations throughout the…

Groups were formed in which all members were rated previously as performing at either high or low levels of interpersonal skills during a behavioral assessment procedure. Group members evaluated each other's interpersonal behavior and their group's cohesiveness after a two-hour leaderless session. Highly skilled groups were seen as more cohesive.…

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)

Provides an insight into the group process of therapy and compares and contrasts the T-group process with therapy group process. The here-and-now orientation was present in T-group and therapy-group interaction. Greater relational conflict was present in the T-group. Members of the therapy group were much more defensive than members of the…

This paper describes a study which was carried out to examine the intra-group verbal behavior of "person-oriented" and "non-person-oriented" individuals. Extrapolating from conceptual systems theory, it was expected that the "person-oriented" (conceptually abstract) individuals would deal with different referents,…

The relationship of 2 important variables -- group composition and time -- to the verbal behavior of sensitivity training groups, using 2 recently developed assessment procedures, is investigated. Sensitivity groups were composed according to the interpersonal skills of participants, as measured by a structured behavioral technique, the Group…

Systematic methods are needed for studying group development over time. The method described here permits interpretive description of a group session, useful both for feedback to the group and for further study of group processes. (Author)

Sensitivity training is one type of experience-based learning in which participants work together in a small group over an extended period of time learning through analysis of their own experiences. The primary setting is the T Group (T for training) in which a staff member sets up an ambiguous situation which allows participants to choose the…

Marathon groups offer individuals an opportunity to engage in intensified, authentic personal encounter with each other in a small group setting, usually with 10-15 persons in a group. This is a report of tentative findings at the Student Life Center, University of Colorado. There were three matched groups, each with nine sophomores. The first…

This paper describes a study that compared the use of consensual, nominal, and conventional decision-making techniques in established and ad hoc groups. The impact of the structural interventions on group decision quality and group attitudes is examined and the appropriateness of the techniques in various situation is discussed. Findings of the…