This article presents a brief overview of Gestalt theory, the group interventions utilized to experiment with interpersonal contact in a conference workshop along with their theory base, an evaluation of the workshop, and some experimental ideas and recommended activities that group leaders may want to incorporate into similar interpersonal…

Available from: Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091. A followup study of 60 children (from kindergarten through third grade) in a middle to low socioeconomic area identified factors which qualitatively differentiate educationally high-risk and non risk children. (BD)

Ethnographically discovered role conceptions that the deaf have of hearing people can be characterized as three destinctive patterns or types. Until deafness is understood as a social phenomena, distorted communicative situations will occur between the deaf and the hearing. Instances of distorted communication are cited. (SW)

Weak correlations between indirect teaching behavior, student-directed classroom activities, and achievement in biology are noted. (CP)

The author examines: (1) the relationship between individual family member self-concept and the communication patterns of parents and their adolescents; and (2) sex differences in communication patterns and self-concepts pertaining to intra-family relationships. (MJB)

Examined the differential effect of kinship and friendship relationships on the life satisfaction of older people. The data indicated the relatively greater importance of friends over grandchildren for maintaining morale in old age. (Author)

Clients (N=103) completed the Human Service Scale and were evaluated by counselors by using the Client Outcome Measure. Analyses led to the conclusion that client and counselor perspectives tend to converge at the theoretical level. A critique of this article is presented by English. (Author)

This report focuses on differences in training style among four trainers as measured by the Training Style Scoring System. The study concludes that supportive and trusting interrelations between members develop when the leader permits open expression of hostility toward his/herself. The difficulty of allowing this is noted. (NG)

This paper analyzes development of group structure in terms of the stimulus-sampling perspective. Learning is the continual sampling of possibilities, with those reinforced possibilities increasing in probability of occurance. This contingency learning approach is tested experimentally. (NG)

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of varying leader selection systems on the performance of political decision-making groups (judges). The type of leadership choice of the court was the independent variable and degree of dissent the dependent variable. As predicted, merit choice had less dissent. (NG)

The relative influence of counselor status on subjects' perceptions of the counselor was examined. Counselor behavior produced a main effect on each of the six dependent measures, while counselor introduction produced a main effect on only Counselor Competence and Counselor Comfort. Implications are discussed. (Author)

Two counseling-analogue studies compared empathic-listening and active advice-giving styles of telephone counseling with college undergraduate participants. Results consistently indicated significant participant preference for active advice giving on overall call evaluation and on the two major factors (Helpfulness of Call and Helper Likability)…

Investigates the effects of various source characteristics on the persuasiveness of communications in the area of public health and presents evidence suggesting that a peer appeal can be more effective than a persuasive attempt by a source from a different age group. (MH)

Discusses a study based on the assumption that change of meaning is, under certain circumstances, of fundamental importance to the information integration process. (MH)

Is a brief description of the pioneering postdivorce counseling service of the Conciliation Court of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California. Discusses rationale for the program, goals and procedures, clinical questions generated by postdivorce counseling, and the psychodynamics of postdivorce conflicts. (Author)