The general shortcomings of the traditional classroom reward structure are discussed in light of performance-reward principles of demonstrable effectiveness. Four alternative general reward structures are analyzed, and studies comparing their effectiveness are reviewed. Although none of the reward structures was found to be consistently superior…

The thesis of this paper is that the group therapy process is enhanced by the use of two or more therapists in the group. The three main roles in a group are: (1) facilitator, (2) focal member, and (3) observer. The use of an additional therapist affords the opportunity for therapists to assume the focal member role without loss of group control,…

An experimental seminar in corporate communication at the University of Maryland was designed to (1) develop a set of theoretical concepts useful to the organizational communicator who functions as a mediator between management and labor, (2) utilize a practical methodology for these concepts, and (3) conduct a case study in cooperation with an…

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a method of examing communication in an organization by focusing on: (1) the complex interrelationships in human systems, particularly in communication systems; (2) interactions across subsystems and system boundaries; and (3) the need to select and "prioritize" channels which will eliminate noise in the…

To investigate the effects of work group structure on measures of organizational behavior, questionnaire data from employees in a department characterized by complex, unstable work group structure and variable supervisory reporting relationships were compared with data from similar employees in two departments characterized by stable work group…

The purpose of this paper was to measure small groups at various stages of their development and observe the effects of changes in group process on emergence of role types and the impact these roles have on group membership as a whole. Most small group measuring instruments have been built around a task-leader or socio-emotional leader dichotomy.…

The results of this study indicated the extent to which the group structure of a sixth grade class was dependent on personality characteristics in the formation of acceptance and rejection patterns. (RC)

Data from 12 rural community problem-solving groups working with extension agents were studied to explore the relationship between group and individual growth and (1) agent self-actualization and (2) certain group trait variables. Individual and group growth was found to be highly related to small group size, high ratings of problem importance,…

Suggests a taxonomy of the grass roots movement and gives a general descriptive over view of the 60 groups studied with respect to origin, constituency, size, funding, issues, and ideology. (Author/AM)

Reports the relationship between the teachers' participation in organizational decision-making and the perceived influence attributed to their administrative superiors, the principal and the superintendent. (Author)

Examined were factors of sex, social class, family size, ordinal position, and school class composition (blue or white collar) on the originality of 309 male and 311 female third grade children in a suburban and an urban district. (MC)

Presents lesson characteristics that describe inquiry lessons, which are designed to teach students how to learn to think for themselves and develop their own decision making powers. (RK)

Observation of the authority structure at Xanadu, a free school, revealed that students rejected direction early in the first year of their enrollment, then discussed in evaluation papers the need for authority from the staff in averting the very problems that arose. (JB)