Any policy of educating people for relationships incorporating the use of small groups should be based on an understanding of the method and the necessary training, according to the author, who discusses various group work practice methods that have been used and problems in some of the techniques. (MF)

Argues that theorists have ignored insights of family therapists such as Bateson, Boszormenyi-Nagy and Spark, Satir, and Watzlawick and Weakland. Family therapy provides unique insights into the nature of intimacy. Existing case material adds to descriptions of intimate relations. Examples of how systems theorists could look at intimacy supplement…

Three female teachers' rankings of "toughness" and "getting one's own way" among their fourth-grade students were compared to hierarchies based on class consensus. Only one of the teachers showed significant agreement with her students' rankings. This inconsistency suggests that the bases for children's and adults' rankings…

Provides a conceptual model developed to unify the spectrum of task-, socio-, and psycho-group processes used by guidance and counseling personnel. Describes a structure for group leaders to follow within their various group modalities using four distinguishing variables: objective, size, leader behavior, and member behavior and expectations.…

Describes a successful and current approach to training peer facilitators. Includes (1) an advanced course in small group leadership as a prerequisite for the leadership experience and (2) a seminar in leadership conducted during the leadership experience. (PD)

Examined relationships between experiencing role conflict and ambiguity and four individual and interpersonal variables. Results suggest that the underlying equations regarding the influence of individual and interpersonal variables on role perceptions vary in different job categories. Task characteristics are offered as plausible reasons for…

Ten questions for understanding the family as patient are presented as one aspect of an overall teaching plan for family therapy. Seeing the family as patient is important in initial stages of evaluation and therapy. A case study of a large, overly close family is used as an illustration. (Author)

A reprinting of Don D. Jackson's classic 1957 article on family homeostasis, with an homage to the author. Considers certain theoretical aspects of family interactional patterns and how they relate to therapy. (Author/RC)

Argues that a lively and balanced social interaction among students is essential for successful second language instruction. Suggests that teachers receive training in interpersonal relationships and group dynamics and that they plan activities promoting effective classroom interaction. Defines communication rules and describes procedures intended…

Exploring the historical antecedents of Kurt Hahn's ideas, this article relates them to the philosophy of the Colorado Outward Bound School, examining some concepts in depth (e.g., physical challenge, self-discovery, individual student commitment, control of student activities, adventure/risk, small group dynamics, and community service). (DS)

Educators have long been aware of the potent force of peer influence. This article presents a program in which students can feel important and worthwhile in useful ways by becoming involved with other students, such as leading a small group or in working with students individually. (Author)

Examines and explains relational control interaction patterns in two decision-making groups and two women's consciousness-raising groups. Analyzes the interaction data using a Markov model and tracking the control dimension of relationships over time. (JMF)

Examines the groupthink phenomenon under controlled, laboratory conditions. Results indicate that the presence or absence of disagreement (conflict, hostility) among members may be the best discriminator between groupthink and nongroupthink groups. (JMF)

The educational administrator interviewed in this article expounds upon his theory that a low-level authority profile, communications skills, and leadership qualities in innovative education are the essential elements of a successful school principal. (LH)

The article presents six classroom activities designed to foster the cognitive and affective growth of gifted, creative, and talented primary grade students. (DLS)