Defines the term reunions and delineates the dimensions, such as formality, frequency, and size, in which they differ from one another. Discusses the significance of reunions throughout the life cycle, examining the change in meaning and importance attributed to them as people age. Reviews the literature on the subject. (GEA)

Compares the attitudes of family members (N=208) about the nature of a healthy family with a previous study of family therapists' attitudes. Results emphasized the value of family unity to families. Families valued cohesion and communication aspects most highly, while therapists valued a blend of cohesion, adaptability and communication. (JAC)

Investigated the effectiveness of exercises designed to promote group cohesiveness, compared to systematic human relations training for preservice teachers. Found the experimental group showed greater posttest scores on empathic responding and attitudes toward students. Suggests group exercises may have affected the participants as they perceived…

Discusses some current attempts to redefine the concept of group cohesion, and examines studies designed to manipulate factors hypothesized to enhance cohesion. Concludes with suggestions for more systematic and potentially fruitful research. (Author)

The Tribal Issues Management System was adopted in 1990 by the Comanche tribe to end internal conflict and promote participative decision making by the tribal community. Such a return to community- and tribal-wide inclusive consideration of public concerns results in action, restores trust and harmonious relations, and recreates feelings of…

Discusses the group dynamics of ethnic parades with respect to participants, outsiders, and recent immigrants. Covers the following topics: (1) context of parades; (2) community development within historical and social environment; (3) American and ethnic aspects; (4) presentation of immigrants in parades; (5) relationships with homeland; and (6)…

Assessed relationship between cohesion and dimensions of self-disclosure in classroom setting versus therapy groups and intimate relationships. Determined that unintentional and positive disclosures rather than self-disclosure were associated with high classroom cohesion. (Author/CM)

Group leaders who offer affirmations to participants in outdoor education encourage healthy relationships and group cohesion and increase individuals' self-esteem. Personal affirming includes actions and statements that make participants feel comfortable in their environment, support capable work, and encourage behavior change in a supportive and…

Revenues generated by tribal gaming can build a good foundation for American Indian education, which is the key to long-term economic stability and development of Indian communities. Stresses the need for tribal unity and suggests that the National Indian Gaming Association can promote unity by offering scholarships with preference given to…

Considers two determinants--one cognitive and the other motivational--of perceptual fluctuations of in-group variation. Results indicate that when motivation to protect social or personal identity from threat is absent, priming the in-group social category promotes a homogeneous and cohesive view of the in-group. (RJM)

Studies whether Chinese children are more cooperative, whereas U.S. children are more competitive, using 76 10- to 12-year-old children in each country. Results using the Social Values Task indicate that Chinese children favor strategies that result in equality and group enhancement, and U.S. children favor individualistic and competitive…

This article describes a group counseling model designed to help male clients explore how the male gender role is experienced. A gender-sensitive approach to group leadership allows a reconceptualization of many of the traditionally problematic behaviors in men, such as the lack of emotional expressiveness. (RJM)

Examined the interrelations of group contextual factors and the occurrence of aggressive behavior in 22 experimental play groups of 7- and 9-year-old African American boys. Found that negative affect, high aversion behavior, high activity level, low group cohesion, and competitiveness were related to the occurrence of aggressive behavior. (MDM)

Subscales of the Sheltered Care Environmental Scale dealing with conflict, cohesion, and independence were administered to 47 adults with moderate mental retardation on 4 occasions using either a verbal format or picture-cued format. Results indicated that the use of pictures enhanced the test-retest reliability of the instrument. (Author/JDD)

Examined relation between adolescent separation-individuation, family cohesion, and college adjustment in college students (N=240). First group was used to explore individuation measures. Theoretical model specifying that college adjustment would be predicted by family cohesion, positive separation feelings, and independence from parents, was…