Subjects (N=240) participated in brief encounter group experiences that varied the amount of physical contact in the structured exercises. These included no-touch, moderate-touch, and high-touch conditions. Results on the scales were consistent with behavioral data in showing the positive effects of increased physical contact. (Author)

The relative power of cooperative and trusting patterns of behavior versus those of exploitation and distrust in affecting the results of group decision-making processes was investigated. The outcome of a study using the Prisoner's Dilemma Game seems to suggest the disproportionate influence of competitive people in these settings. (Author)

Applicants for a paraprofessional counselor training program were assigned to one of two training conditions: brief, leaderless reflection training or a simultaneous control experience. Applicants then participated in Goodman's Group Assessment of Interpersonal Traits (GAIT). Reflection-trained applicants used more reflections but fewer questions…

College students (N=27) were assigned to a time-extended or a marathon group or a control condition to evaluate the effects of encounter experiences on self-perception and interpersonal behavior. Both experimental groups showed significantly greater changes in self-perceptions from pretest to posttest than the control group. (Author)

This study sought to discover how 91 counselor trainees felt about participating in an encounter group as part of their program. Subjects responded to pre-course, post-course, and followup questionnaires dealing with their attitudes toward groups and the actual group experience, and behavioral change attributable to the group experience.…

This research looks at the effects of laboratory training on self concept. The gestalt and encounter approaches are employed to test the amount of self concept change possible in group experiences. (YRJ)

The nature and development of interpersonal perceptions in a T group were studied. Results indicate that group members' perceptions are relatively complex and change markedly over sessions in ways consistent with current theories of group development. The analysis permits a first look at a T group free from biases. (Author)

Studied the efficacy of induced affect as a pregroup training experience for coping with stress related to participation in an encounter group. Results indicated that group participants who did not receive the induced-affect pregroup training demonstrated significant increases on the Neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. (Author)