Suggests that open interaction is exquisitely controlled social behavior, and groups employing it possess an impressive potential for social influence. These misrepresentations of the power of the activity and the group leader constitute a kind of mystification by the practitioner of himself or herself and his or her clientele. (Author/BL)

A computer program is described which provides comprehensive information on test profile differences among independent groups based upon profile centroid separation, shape, elevation, and scatter. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate measures of strength of association, test of homogeneity of covariance matrices, and comparative…

Study sought (1) to manipulate communication quality in problem-solving groups, (2) to determine whether groups actually experienced communication of varying quality, and (3) to determine whether groups experiencing high quality communication produced a high quality product.'' (Author)

Examines two theories of collective action, individualist and socialist, to see how well each explains the apparent inability of Americans to pursue social ideals through education. Bull concludes that neither theory adequately explains collective behavior within educational institutions. (AM)

Maintains that coalitions form as a function of the popularity of an individual and the reciprocation between individuals. An algorithm is introduced, incorporating both popularity and reciprocation components, to generate units of analysis for coalition identification. The algorithm reflects aspects of the whole group and intensity of dyads.…

Argues that the development of a rhetorical theory for social movements is a lost cause. Examines two questions: (1) how movements differ from other forms of collective behavior, and (2) whether these differences create rhetorical differences. (PD)

The effects of group problem-solving methods and problem-situation complexity on attempts at implementing group solutions were investigated in a laboratory field setting. Structure in group decision-making processes led to increased rates of implementation attempts at all levels of problem-situation complexity. (Author/IRT)

Presents suggestions to handle children during an interpretive program and use their presence to enhance the program. Suggestions include make children feel they are part of the group, learn names, let them know who's the boss, use hands-on activities, let them help, focus their attention, include everyone, and give positive feedback. (JRH)

Through the use of a culinary metaphor, the authors depict common problems that can occur when process is overlooked in group settings. The metaphor offers "food for thought" for helping leaders achieve a balance between process and content in effective group work. (Author)

Individualism-collectivism theory predicted that Egyptian and Canadian children's performance would differ on relevant scales of the Robert Apperception Test for Children (RATC). Findings validated cross-cultural use of the RATC and demonstrated that the increasingly general theory of collectivism allowed meaningful predictions about personality…

Claims that group cohesiveness has proven to be astonishingly difficult to define precisely and consistently, although it remains a critical group-level variable. Notes that some researchers rely on classic definitions while others leave it undefined. Suggests that greater focus on the definitional issue should improve the quality of future…

Used causal modeling procedures to investigate the relationship between cohesion and productivity in 54 recently formed work groups within the framework of a nine-month longitudinal field study. Results support the central role of group acceptance of organizational goals in determining both productivity and cohesion. (Author/ABL)

Manipulated external status of a target by presenting person as ethnic majority female, ethnic minority male, or ethnic majority male discussing issue with four ethnic majority males. Subjects were college students (N=219). Results were consistent with previous research showing odd person in a group is more salient than other group members. (ABL)

Presents an initial formulation of a dysfunctional group dynamic in which one focal individual creates a dysfunctional group. Identifies habits of individuals and properties of systems that result in the emergence of such an individual. Presents the interactional dynamics which constitute and sustain this group dynamic and discusses three types of…

Contributes to scholarship on the media, mnemonic agents, and collective memory by examining the special role played by Israeli media in the struggle over the commemoration of Yitzhak Rabin. Shows how the media, especially television, became the main mnemonic site and the most influential mnemonic agent in these processes. Looks at how Rabin's…