This article focuses on the following areas of group process: the nature of the task group, the steps taken to reach a decision, and the ways in which a leader can effectively manage the inevitable conflict that emerges within groups as the problem-solving process progresses. (CT)

Reviewed seven recent studies from three gerontological journals to examine academic performance, attitudes, and social relations in intergenerational college classes. Results confirmed the ability of older students to perform well in mixed classrooms and generally supported the concept of intergenerational classes. (JAC)

Conducted two studies in which subjects (N=216) faced the dilemma of how to harvest resources from a shared pool when faced with external catastrophies and given opportunities to steal. Results showed that tying the individual's outcome to the rest of the group is good for the group. (LLL)

Investigated how majority and minority arguments are positively or negatively responded to by group members and the effects of such responses on the polarization process. Demonstrated that reactions to minority arguments, not the forwarding of minority arguments per se, were significantly correlated with the degree of group polarization. (PD)

Analyzed 10 interaction dimensions of group behavior and three emotional atmosphere categories among old and young participants in 12 "support-discussion" groups. Results showed significant differences with respect to frequencies of boundary, self-disclosure, and support behaviors. In addition, the young showed signs of boredom more frequently.…

Analyzed pieces of verbal protocol in a group (N=13), demonstrating structures of cognition and language as they pertain to numbers occurring in verbal productions. Analysis suggested that these linguistic anomolies, though atypical, are not anomalous but are clear cases representing processes of cognition and language. (LLL)

Women in administration must begin to seek out and provide opportunities for other women through inservice programming and intern experiences. They must accept the responsibility to recommend and recruit capable women whenever input is solicited and to speak up with recommendations when it is not. (Author)

Presents the basic general component of the guided group interaction model as it applies to a group-home setting, elements that make this a workable approach, problems, and evaluative results. The group as the element of change, staff role, group composition, and the group meeting are discussed. (JH)

This article focuses on (a) the types and incidence of casualties reported for encounter groups; (b) participant, group, and leader variables associated with negative outcome, (c) procedures for minimizing casualties, and (d) research considerations. (Author/AM)

Suggests that one of the reasons why many of the older self-help organizations rejected professional help may be that the help that was offered was of the more authoritarian variety. (Author/AM)

The use of the group interview in the selection of graduate students in counselor education is reported by faculty members of the University of West Florida. The goal is to identify persons who exhibit the qualities deemed desirable in counselors. (Editor/LBH)

Corrymeela, a Christian community in Northern Ireland, uses a variety of activities, one of which is outdoor education, to tackle the challenges of living within a contested society and to model new possibilities. Structured peace-building experiences focus on the relational aspect of those people, groups, and communities who experience conflict.…

A study used conversational analysis to examine the reasoning students use in a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) environment as they formulate a theory (in medical contexts, a diagnosis) which accounts for evidence (medical history and symptoms). A videotaped group interaction was analyzed and transcribed. In the segment of interaction examined, the…

An undergraduate small group communication course in "Great Group Breakdowns" is discussed, in which students wrote case studies describing dysfunction in historical and fictional groups, in groups in which they had personally participated, and in groups found in film and literature. This paper argues that this is a uniquely useful method that…

The paper presents literature related to the problems and promises of interdisciplinary work. Important characteristics of effective work groups are described, and origins of difficulty in groups are discussed. Most work on groups has been based on research on groups that come together only in the laboratory. These groups are different from…