An approach to problem solving, said to lessen the barriers in the usual small group or committee situation, is described as a structured, task-directed method of brainstorming. Rules for brainstorming, organizing, a sample brainstorming assignment, and potential merits and pitfalls of the system are given. (MF)

This article presents a strategy for an idea exchange system appropriate to many situations in which a group--teachers, colleagues, staff members--needs to collect individual ideas and reach group agreement. This model, a Nominal Group Technique, is appropriate for student groups as well. (Author)

The article offers seven basic hypotheses regarding the nature of the perceptual and cognitive underpinnings of stereotyping, and discusses the theoretical basis and empirical evidence for each. Subjects were 21 college students of mixed sex and race. (Author/MP)

Both process evaluation and task accomplishment evaluation are important. Six questions are submitted to guide goal-achievement evaluation: Are all members heard and valued? Beyond the ingroup? A shared common goal? Means and ends vitally related? Professional expertise and scholarship valued? Group work and personal leadership? (Author)

Parents Anonymous is a treatment method uniquely suited to solving the problem of child abuse. By banding together, members learn to give and receive nurturing within the group. The anonymous aspect of PA is important to the process of building a trusting relationship within the group. (Author)

The authors believe that the most imperative problem facing the investigators and consumers of group treatment research is the limited level of conceptualization within the field. They discuss the differentiation of group and individual treatment and offer a conceptualization of group treatment goals by which to consider the research. (Author)

Suggests that small groups be established in the language arts classroom based on students' skill strengths and weaknesses and on students' preferred companions. (DD)

The Group Integration Process, described in this article, serves as a broad and guiding set of steps (invitation, induction, orientation, training, relationship, and integration) that helps the supervisor better understand what is to be done in managing a new employee's entrance into a work group. (TA)

Characterizes egocentrism and ethnocentrism as cognitive biases that foster violence at both individual and group levels. Suggests that altrocentrism is a more mature, socialized process of perceiving and discusses devices such as role-playing which facilitate the progress of altrocentric thinking. Available from: International Journal of…

Comments on the problems attending the assignment of orientation-level courses (grades 5 and 6) to teachers. Three aspects are considered: educational policy; group-dynamic processes, and competence. Suggestions are given as to how best to assign courses to teachers. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The concept of group dialectics is considered within a temporal framework. Long-term groups are considered in terms of such temporal concepts as continuity, change, goal direction, attachment and groups in process. A conceptualization of small group dynamics based on time factors is presented. (BD)

Notes that by all the objective measures available, Evanston High has maintained the academic standard of its white students, improved the academic standard of its black students, and reduced segregation by test score. (Author/AM)

Kids learn self-government with a little help from their furry friends. (Editor)

This paper studies informal social participation of blacks and assesses what the patterns mean for the residents and the social organization of their communities. (Author/AM)

Suggests that by publicly focusing on the criminality of blacks, the police give white society a convenient scapegoat and at the same time lay the ground work for bigger and bigger police budgets. (Author/AM)