Looks at three models for the development and functioning of groups. Identifies causes of staff tension and signs of serious internal problems. Considers the option of bringing in an outside facilitator to assist in team development. Discusses the faith dimension of team building. (DMM)

Presents a factor analysis for subjects (N=52) participating in a Tavistock Group. Indicates the importance of the emergence of workable structures for leaders and members and the expression of affection and commentary on group processes. Output, input, self-understanding, and catharsis were the most valued factors. (Author/JAC)

This study examined the long-term effects of providing a research-based approach to classroom management. Results indicate programs can be successful given sufficient motivation to develop effective classroom groups, personal experience of the benefits of cooperative learning, and continuation of teacher support groups during implementation.…

This paper distinguishes between two ecological perspectives on organizational evolution: population ecology, which limits investigation to evolutionary change in established populations, and community ecology, which focuses on the rise and fall of populations themselves as basic units of evolutionary change. These perspectives produce contrasting…

This article describes: (1) the small group settings and peer group research; (2) verbal interaction and its benefits or detriments for learning; (3) students' cognitive abilities and demographic characteristics that predict their participation in small group interaction; (4) group composition and group interaction; and (5) the teacher's role in…

Investigated the effectiveness of a litter reduction program, consisting of group assignment of responsibility and a token reward system, on weekend litter rates in college residence halls. Results indicated procedure was completely effective, with litter reduced to zero in all settings. (BL)

Challenges popular conceptions of stress as a negative condition, arguing that reasonable amounts of stress are necessary and desirable. Explains how stress-causing relationships between individuals and their environments can be perceived positively as relationships between role-occupying persons and the systems in which those roles have vital…

Asserts that organizations do not have wills of their own but are only groups of individuals acting in concert. Argues that trying to run an organization by consensus results in the loss of accountability and merely relocates conflict without eliminating it. Urges adopting leadership by consent in educational organizations. (PGD)

Conflict episodes among first-graders were videotaped and analyzed. It appears that the function of social conflict among children is to build their small-group society and its structure: while arguing, children create political alignments, and thereby realize their practical interests within a changing set of social relationships. (KH)

Investigated attraction toward a group as a function of attitude similarity and perceived geographic distance in students (N=60). Results showed that effects of attitude similarity were strongly significant and that distance had no signficant effect on attraction and limited effect on evaluations. (LLL)

Offers tips on conducting productive discussion of curriculum in staff meetings. (JW)

Tested Sherif and Sherif's hypotheses on intergroup competition and cooperation in a natural setting involving a scout camp for well-acquainted subjects rather than for previously unacquainted subjects. In-group solidarity showed no increase during camps, as would have been predicted by the Sherifs; indeed a decrease was found. (LLL)

Natural discourse among students in nonacademic situations is compared with instructional discourse occurring between the teacher and individual students or between the teacher and the entire class. The role of each in the foreign language classroom is discussed. (MSE)

Provides a review of the growth and controversy surrounding legal services for individual navajos in order to illustrate the complex problems Navajos are attempting to meet and overcome. (Author/AM)

The author presents a set of guidelines for peer group work that he has developed from appropriate references in the 1974 APGA Ethical Standards and through his own experience, professional judgement and discretion. (Author)