A course in group process for master's-level students in clinical/community psychology is described. The course offers students the opportunity to experience group process directly through developing, leading, and participating in structured group workshops in class. (Author/JDH)

Describes currently active rural women's consciousness-raising group in eastern Nebraska, relating this group's experiences to a model of group development. Emphasizes group process and content evidenced as the group was established and passed through beginning, conflict, and cohesive stages of development. Relates changes in participants' values…

Considers recent developments in critical-interpretive approaches to organizations by examining the relationship between power, ideology, and organizational narrative. Discusses organizational narrative as one of the principal symbolic forms through which organizational ideology and power structures are both expressed and constituted. (NKA)

Reports findings of a study that analyzed five middle school teacher team meetings using a coding system adapted from Flanders' work on classroom interaction. Concludes that the procedure can provide administrators with a valuable tool for validating perceptions or describing aspects of school climate. (FL)

This article reviews the quality circle concept, shows why its characteristics appeal to American executives, and examines some of its limitations. It looks at self-managing teams and discusses the reasons that adoptions have been relatively few. It then shows what organizational conditions are necessary for quality circles to evolve into teams.…

Describes an approach for meeting the emotional and social needs of gifted individuals through the use of seven separate categories. Each category provides a description of an important component of affective education for gifted individuals. Categories are defined and selected resources described. (Author/ABB)

Discusses various student reactions to new classroom methods and offers suggestions on how to deal with student resistance. The suggestions include: (1) becoming aware of the students' past experiences, interests, and goals; (2) building student confidence in the teacher's expertise; (3) moving slowly; and (4) showing students how they have…

Investigates the relative and interactive effects of rater-, and ratee-, relationship-, situational-, and group-level contingencies on peer assessments of open communication. Results suggest that, given certain procedural conditions, peer assessments are highly reliable and valid. Rater bias accounted for a relatively small amount of rating…

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.…

Presents two studies of the influence of group size, prior acquaintance, and gender composition on talking and silence in decision making groups (N=157). Results suggested that friends talked more than strangers, and leaders talked more than nonleaders. Group differences were reflected more dramatically in patterns of silence. (JAC)

Climbers' perceptions of risk are influenced by psychological and sociological phenomena that cause them to accept higher levels of real risk without awareness that risks have increased. Groups, for example, make riskier decisions than members would recommend individually. By recognizing risk affecting phenomena, climbers can avoid many…

When the parents of school age children have significant relationships with their children's schoolmates, a particularly strong school-community relationship forms. Public schools in the United States are best organized to serve such functional, neighborhood communities, which are rapidly disappearing. School reorganization might renew community…

Examines classroom language learning from the perspective of research and teaching. Looks at the classroom as a special social situation; identifies eight features of the classroom as culture and applies them to the language class. Argues that the classroom has its own communicative potential for language learning. (SED)

Examines the interaction of teachers and learners in their various activities along a continuum that extends from instructional to natural discourses and is determined by the way participants present themselves to one another and negotiate turns-at-talk, topics, and repairs. Suggests ways to broaden and diversify discourse options in the…

A person-centered approach to intergroup hostility is an alternative approach to dealing with social tension and conflict situations. The Camp David talks on Middle East peace exemplifies such an approach. (DF)