THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS EXPERIMENT WAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER HIERARCHICALLY DIFFERENTIATED GROUPS WERE AS PRODUCTIVE ON PROBLEM-SOLVING TASKS AS HIERARCHICALLY UNDIFFERENTIATED GROUPS. THE EXPERIMENT ALSO INVESTIGATED THE EFFECTS OF FORMALLY BASED STATUS DIFFERENCES ON GROUP EFFICIENCY AND RISK-TAKING. TWENTY GROUPS CONTAINING FOUR SUBJECTS…

This collection of papers represents an extension of analytic approaches and concepts from animal social ethology to the study of activities among stable groups of young children. A major emphasis of this research was on the description of organizational patterns in social behavior observed during periods of free play. The papers are: (1) "An…

The paper evaluates the use of group dynamics training for Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) aides in Ohio and assesses low income homemakers' adoption of group participation. The treatment group of aides was given week-long experimental group dynamics training which was coupled with nutrition and money management subject…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cognitive abstractness levels, interpersonal perception abilities, and task type (factual or social problem solving) on group performance as measured by time consumed and adequacy of solutions. Eighteen college classes from Kearney State College participated in testing of perceptual…

The procedure for setting educational goals described in this booklet, the first of three, is based on the belief that only through a school-community partnership can the best solutions be found and supported. It is also based on the belief that goal setting can proceed only after local needs are known. The booklet outlines in considerable detail…

This first grade unit is one of the Focus on Inner City Social Studies (FICSS) series (see SO 008 271) developed in accordance with the needs and problems of an urban society. The discovery of self and of groups is the focus of the unit, demonstrating to students the things that groups do for individuals and how individuals help groups. A sample…

As part of the second grade curriculum of introductory economics, this unit of the Focus on Inner City Social Studies (FICSS) series (See SO 008 271) explores housing and communities. The unit is an active study in which children explore and probe into community conditions. They experiment with methods of improving their own environment and…

This study investigated the effectiveness of a group dynamics workshop held January 26-28, 1970, at Nashville, Tennessee, for 16 professional public health workers. It covered individual psychology, types of groups and their objectives, leadership styles, questioning techniques, and situations dealing with individuals. The 20 point Kropp-Verner…

The special concern of this manual is the improvement of working relationships among the members of a school's administration, faculty, and staff. Studies have indicated that for complex problems offering many alternatives, decisions produced by group interaction are usually far superior to decisions produced solely by individuals. To achieve…

Designed as an introduction to industrial psychology, this work ties the findings and theories of individual and social psychology, human relations, and group dynamics to the behavior of executives and other members of large organizations. Such aspects and concerns as personality, leadership roles and styles, conformity, productivity, differing…

Using 74 adult farmers in four matched groups in Central India, this study examined the impact of group radio listening, discussion, decision, commitment, and consensus on the effectiveness of Indian radio forums. Effectiveness was measured in terms of changes in knowledge, belief, attitudes, and intention to adopt an innovation. Subjects were…

Project Patrol is an experimental approach to pre-school education involving a parent training program, based on the techniques of behavior modification. This report includes the rationale, the analysis of main objectives, and the administrative organization of the project at the completion of its second year in operation. Project Patrol is based…

This curriculum guide outlines a course in discussion for college sophomores or those who have taken a communication fundamentals course. This guide emphasizes the principles of discussion and group dynamics and their applications to groups engaged in information-sharing or problem-solving tasks. The course is divided into two principal units with…

Environ County is a simulation gaming activity designed to provide insight into regional planning. Developed as a learning experience for decision makers and public participants, the simulation emphasizes the integration of political, social, economic, and environmental issues in the resolution of five complex sociotechnical problems. The game…

This developmental paper generally describes a task oriented model for teaching about conflict and conflict resolution, using student groups for problem solving, which can be developed in the classroom. The model involves: 1) identification of the issue, topic, or problem by the entire class; 2) identification of ideas, concepts, or facets of…