An external evaluation documented what occurred in an inaugural summer camp to teach high school students how to preserve religious freedom by learning about and acting on the history and current state of church-state separation and other first amendment issues. Camp designers hoped to promote religious diversity values and civic engagement in…

The transactional approach views leader-follower relations as a social exchange relationship. While the leader provides the group with success in reaching its goals and gives followers recognition and reward, the followers give the leader responsiveness and participation in group enterprises. In addition followers give the leader esteem and…

Identifies components of group process and describes leader functions. Discusses personal elements, focus of interaction/psychological distance, group development, content, quality of interaction, and self-reflective/meaning attribution, illustrated by a case study of a group of persons (N=5) arrested for drunk driving. (JAC)

A means of reducing teacher anxiety is explored. Administrative policy geared toward a warm and friendly atmosphere that fosters group supportiveness is recommended. (JC)

This study is an initial report in a research program to examine the nature and influence of one set of structural variables--participation patterns--on patterns of interaction in sensitivity training groups. (Author)

In response to William Coulson's article in this issue, the author is pleased that professionals are questioning their own roles in Encounter but is in general disagreement with Coulson's points regarding complete openness and feedback. (CJ)

Drawing from data generated in more than 100 hours of interaction within 15 leaderless groups, a study investigated the interaction characteristics of emergent leadership--leadership that is earned through face-to-face encounters in a group. Each group was instructed to reach consensus decisions on two tasks, both of which provided the possibility…

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)

In order for the "reflective partner" process to be successful, professional training and experience in group work is needed as a basis. However, beyond this basis a requirement of a strong commitment toward "helping" other people achieve positive racial change and understanding is necessary. (Author)

Filmed accounts of a weekend encounter group explore the manner in which a group coalesces to the point where people talk about feelings rather than things." A group experience generally leads to a three stage" development in the lives of participants: (1) new openness with everyone; (2) crisis phase resulting from trying to change patterns of…

Suggests that usurpation of control by a leader causes low-status group members to become dissatisfied with participation, but perceived lack of support causes dissatisfaction with the level of goal attainment. Tables and bibliography. (RW)

A role analysis chart, developed to measure group processes interactions, is adapted for use in training sessions on the conduct of effective meetings. (MF)