Interviews with 10 facilitators and 22 members of physician learning groups indicated that the groups functioned as communities of practice; they supported learning, agreed to disagree, and discussed scientific information with the goal of refining practice. Facilitators provided administrative support and sustaining energy. (Contains 18…

Discusses the use of exercises in groups with an emphasis on selection and effective processing. Processing skills are described and practical examples of questioning skills are given. (Author/TE)

Training plays a key role in the development of work teams. Seven components of successful work teams are clear goals, talent, understanding of roles, efficient procedures, good interpersonal relations, active reinforcement, and constructive external relations. (SK)

Examined group leadership style using self-report questionnaire of experienced group leaders (N=204) in effort to build on work of Lieberman, Yalom, and Miles (1973). Found no support for factor structure previously reported by Lieberman et al. Results suggest that group leader questionnaire with modifications can tie leader behavior to outcome.…

Rated selected sessions of two long-term psychotherapy groups (N=143) using Gottschalk-Gleser anxiety and hostility verbal content analysis scales. Found group judged to be clinically more successful demonstrated prolonged periods in various states and that affect dimensions of states were consistent with group developmental stage hypothesis…

Urges caution in illuminating and interpreting spontaneous group metaphors. Encourages metaphor amplification as less intrusive means for using this therapeutic tool. Provides case examples to support discussion. (Author/CM)

Reviews relevant issues in clinical social group practice including group versus individual treatment, group work advantages, approach rationale, group conditions for change, worker role in group, group composition, group practice technique and method, time as group work dimension, pretherapy training, group therapy precautions, and group work…

Analyses qat sessions (small-group social gatherings centered on the use of a mild, euphoric stimulant, qat) in North Yemen. Explores their communicative form and function. (SR)

Describes study of undergraduates that investigated social influence in the group process by examining how the exclusion of contextual cues provided by face to face interaction influences individual judgments in computer mediated conferencing (CMC). Asch's social influence experiment is reviewed, and further research needs are suggested. (23…

Categorized types of consequences associated with corrective behavioral feedback messages anticipated by group members during first meeting of counseling group. Group members (N=286) wrote corrective feedback messages they would be unwilling to communicate in groups and completed form describing potential consequences of communicating corrective…

Examines the conversational organization of shared laughter. Finds that in 70 percent of two-party cases the current speaker initiates shared laughter, but that in more than 70 percent of multi-party cases examined, someone other than the current speaker initiates shared laughter. (MS)

Describes a computer program that simulates the emergence of affiliation networks in preschool groups and examines theoretical issues raised by the model. The simulation implies that triadic interactions are not essential in the formation of affiliative structures and that polyadic friendship groupings can be understood as sets of dyadic…

Defines the cooperative group decision-making process of consensus, contrasts it with voting and compromise, and presents an illustrative situation. Describes individual consensus skills, the role of group facilitator, pitfalls of the process, and use of consensus in educational settings and large organizations. (SV)

Developed and tested encompassing and utilitarian measure of small group consensus using 48 small groups involving 234 college students. Pilot study of 14 groups and 61 subjects used instrument to test consensus stability over six-week period. Results showed no significant change in consensus levels over that time. (Author/NB)

The transdisciplinary approach to intervention with handicapped infants is described. The joint team, staff development, and role release characterize the approach. Sections consider effective team functioning and remedies for team dysfunctions including problems in interpersonal relations, developmental process, team structure, and role release.…