A small group program designed to improve social interaction between children and their autistic siblings is evaluated. Problem solving, role playing, rehearsal, homework projects, and contingency management procedures are used in group sessions. Results of the observational assessment confirm the feasibility of successful interactional training…

Describes a method for helping autonomous groups work effectively on problem solving without a facilitator. Application in a British part-time course for tutors working with adult learners is described; group dynamics are discussed; evaluation methods are explained; and detailed instructions for using this method are provided in the appendixes.…

Study reveals that sex composition of groups of college students studying psychology affected perception, especially in the affective and behavior domains, of female instructors in situations where gender is salient. (Author/BJV)

An innovative orientation program for freshmen at the University of Puget Sound called Passages and Preludes mixes outdoor fun with academic work. They meet in small groups with faculty members who introduce them to college-level reading and writing. For another two days the students hike, sail, fish and canoe. (MLW)

Suggestions are made for making meetings in a college or university setting more productive, particularly with regard to avoiding cultural misunderstanding. The cultural sources of some behaviors that may inhibit participation and effectiveness are outlined, and strategies for overcoming them are offered. (MSE)

Group leaders who offer affirmations to participants in outdoor education encourage healthy relationships and group cohesion and increase individuals' self-esteem. Personal affirming includes actions and statements that make participants feel comfortable in their environment, support capable work, and encourage behavior change in a supportive and…

Examined how social appearance and affective factors can influence social categorization and intergroup bias. Positive affect increased the extent to which subjects formed inclusive group representations, anticipating that the members of two groups would feel like one. Subjects in dissimilarly dressed groups expected the members to feel less like…

Describes a documentary created during an English course teaching academic skills to first-year arts faculty undergraduates. The focus was on making a video documentary about an issue of concern to the learners whose own negotiated goal was to present their information in English in a way that would be appealing to other students on campus. (12…

Reflects on ideas of feminism and critical literacy and their significance in relation to the current policy environment. Topics explored include the dilemmas of personal development; issues of culture, power, and coercion; shifting the focus to teaching; personal and pedagogical influences; pedagogical praxis; and developing a collective…

Effects of two college classroom racial incidents at the National Louis University Atlanta (GA) Academic Center are on the facilitating/learning model with adult learners are examined. Discussion focuses on the importance of group dynamics in the multicultural classroom, interventions in racial incidents, and strategies for moving the group from…

Studies intercultural communication in a Buddhist monastic university in India. Oral communication involves an ensemble of speakers and hearers; an interpersonal relationship that underlies the motivation and effort among speakers and hearers is required for true dialog. Understanding meanings is sometimes subordinate to interactional…

Reports a survey of students' satisfaction in a cooperative learning college-level introductory biology course offered, with changes, over 3 years. The survey found that cognitive diversity increases group conflict and concluded that there can be no "perfect course" due to the diversity of cognitive styles found in any class. Using a…

Discusses transference and countertransference issues associated with long-term psychodynamic group treatment of adult women molested as children. Describes and examines these women's transference reactions toward group members and the therapist. Also explores the specific effects of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender of the…

Considers two determinants--one cognitive and the other motivational--of perceptual fluctuations of in-group variation. Results indicate that when motivation to protect social or personal identity from threat is absent, priming the in-group social category promotes a homogeneous and cohesive view of the in-group. (RJM)

Assessed the effects of 2 different types of group counseling on at-risk characteristics of ninth-grade high school students (n=36). Assessed effects of groups on self-concept, school attendance, grade point average, and number of disciplinary referrals. Self-esteem of all group members increased. Groups had specific effects when compared with one…