Study of 71 task-oriented groups revealed that perceived inequity was negatively related to amount of expressed satisfaction with the group and positively related to amount of perceived conflict within the group. Inequity was associated more strongly with conflict centered around people than with conflict centered around task; least associated…

Analyzed group discussions associated with 68 high-quality and 29 low-quality decisions made by comparably informed groups using cross-contact comparison. Found vigilance, second-guessing, and accurate information processing associated with high-quality decisions; faulty information processing and improbable fantasy chains with low-quality…

Females emerged as leaders in three mixed-sex leaderless groups of college students (N=21) in a communication course. Two rhetorical themes were revealed: female leaders in all three groups earned their leadership positions by the rhetoric of hard workers and leading by default; they solidified their positions by emphasizing a rhetoric of modest…

The author describes implementation of quality circle assignments in a basic business class. This format is designed to model closely actual experiences students will have in many contemporary American businesses. (CH)

The author examines characteristics of the Japanese culture that are reflected in their workplace practices. The identification of the "way or method" to perform traditional tasks, the intensity in striving for perfection with common tasks, and the value placed upon learning and education--all have implications for those attempting to…

A theoretical explanation, in terms of a two-factor approach to a Person-Other-Issue (POX) Situation is offered, in an attempt to fill the void that exists in the face of the Heider-Newcomb controversy about POX balance. Validity and parsimony is demonstrated by applying it to some of the POX data reported in earlier studies. (Author/BL)

Identifies and describes specific patterns of interaction in families with obese adolescent daughters. (Author/BL)

Presents the dynamics of transition from support to therapy group for caregivers of demented relatives. Describes the group's defense against individual expression of painful emotions and the psychotherapeutic approach used to confront it. Found no overall detriment to the group and apparent benefit to some individuals. (Author/NRB)

Reassesses Tallman's proposition that the optimum family structure for effective problem-solving is one that provides for open communication, centralized authority, and consensus about family roles and goals. Suggests a revised basis for Tallman's view: achieved centrality of organization, obtained when groups structure themselves as part of the…

Presents guidelines given to students to help make peer group discussions of writing more effective. (HTH)

Examines members' identification with their subunit using a sample of 185 elementary school principals' perceptions of (1) the availability of resources, (1) the existence of organization-level planning, and (3) the frequency of controversy about resource allocations. Appended are 34 references. (MLF)

Questionnaire responses of 205 professionals on interdisciplinary teams serving disabled students indicated perceptions of few major problems in team functioning. Overall, Ss viewed logistical/procedural barriers of more concern than group interactional or discipline-related categories. (CL)

SYMLOG is a comprehensive field theory that synthesizes and integrates a diverse spectrum of social scientific frameworks. Through its quantification and organizations, one can describe and evaluate personality, values, and interpersonal relationships through three dimensions, the end product being a field diagram. Its application to work with…

The quality of an honors seminar reflects more than the course content and the instructor's preferred style. It is largely a function of the extent to which the instructor attends to small-group processes, and group dynamics research offers leadership ideas. (MSE)

In a family meeting all members participate equally and try to solve problems that affect each member individually and as a whole. Ground rules for starting a weekly meeting are offered. (DF)