Females emerged as leaders in three mixed-sex leaderless groups of college students (N=21) in a communication course. Two rhetorical themes were revealed: female leaders in all three groups earned their leadership positions by the rhetoric of hard workers and leading by default; they solidified their positions by emphasizing a rhetoric of modest…

Investigates effectiveness of communicative variables for predicting leadership emergence in long-term, nonlaboratory groups. Concludes that leadership prediction is possible based on group's ratings of selected communicative functions. Group sensitivity to communicative functions at initial session allows for potential group leader selection.…

Examines the relationship between sex and sex- type and leadership in small discussion groups. Results indicate personality influences leadership only during initial group interaction. The best characterization of social and task leadership is via psychological sex type rather than biological sex. Suggests leadership style dogmatism and motivation…

Addresses the issue of the sensitivity of communicative variables for predicting leadership emergence in long-term, nonlaboratory groups. Findings suggest that communicative functions allow for the selection of potential group leaders. Additionally, leaders are chosen for their positive qualities but appear to embody negative values as well.…

Determined whether specific personality characteristics of group leaders predict group members' evaluations of leaders and of the group experience in self-exploration groups. Assessed group leader and group member state anxiety, trait anxiety, and cognitive style. Found significant effects for initial group rating and leader evaluation, and none…