Describes a theoretical framework of distributed representations to explore the representational properties in group problem solving. The experiment shows that different distributed representations across two individuals produced dramatically different group problem-solving behaviors; and two minds could be better than one mind, depending on how…

Discusses why many nonnative-English-speaking students have difficulty participating in academic group discussions and explores culturally based perceptions of silence and reticence and the nature of group discussion. Pedagogical directions are offered that course planners, academic advisors, and language teachers can follow to help students to…

Studies effects of school population (integrated, predominantly black, and predominantly white) on children's racial identities. Finds that children in integrated schools mentioned race more and were more likely to like other races; that children in black schools chose friends from outgroups less; and that all groups preferred their own race. (DSK)

Describes an adventure activity in which a group achieved a seemingly impossible goal by changing the way it imagined the task. Discusses the sequence of steps in metaphor development that led to the triggering of a generative metaphor: a new image of the task that allowed reframing of the problem and its eventual solution. (SV)

Leaders of Christian wilderness expeditions may facilitate their own and others' spiritual growth by striving to develop a sense of community; focusing on relations, not information; planning for thorough wilderness immersion; bringing home as much of the wilderness experience as possible; and leaving the old self behind and opening oneself to…

Reintroduces the ethological concept of social dominance, and interprets it from a strategy-based perspective. Maintains that, by adopting this approach to social dominance and explicitly incorporating developmental processes and uniquely human capacities, human social-dominance patterns appear to be more similar to primate patterns than commonly…

A quantitative study modeled the inherently subjective admissions process for 592 graduate school candidates and 72 raters. Logistic regression models were well-fitting and parsimonious, allowing analysis of each stage of the process. Extended committee discussion/deliberation phases were of limited productivity when inter-rater agreement was…

Small-group development is an important aspect of adventure therapy. Supplementing knowledge of sequential stages of group development with knowledge concerning within-stage nonsequential development yields a richer understanding of groups. Integrating elements of the individual counseling relationship (working alliance, transference, and real…

The structure that best develops a discipline's core has a high density of positive network ties within the discipline, relatively weak subdivisions, and a lower density of ties to outside institutions. Theoretical insights about interactional dynamics that weaken this optimal disciplinary structure may help sociologists deal productively with…

Camp, with its community living focus, presents a constant source of potential conflicts and offers an ideal environment to help campers develop their problem-solving skills. Steps in social problem solving are listed, and an example of problem-solving skills in action is offered. Counselors can discuss conflicts with campers and ask for group…

This study of inservice and preservice teachers investigated group interaction processes in networked supported collaborative concept mapping and the influence these group interaction processes had upon group concept mapping performance. Results showed that group concept mapping performance was significantly correlated to the quantity of group…

Discussion of group work projects in higher education focuses on a comparison of the performance of student groups formed randomly, with those formed using the Honey and Mumford learning styles questionnaire. Describes results that indicate no significant difference in student performances and considers the relationship to the Kolb model.…

This study of 846 scientific research papers investigated the status of scientific communication in the context of interdisciplinary collaboration. Concludes that collaborative research contributed significantly to interdisciplinarity in some disciplines and not in others. Survey findings are discussed from the perspective of scientist-scientist…

Uses the example of the Women's Journal Group to show how a personal, emotional commitment to a personally connected writing community will change that way a writer thinks, feels, and acts. Describes the beginnings of the Women's Journal Group, the members' differing backgrounds, goals, and expectations. Outlines the principles of multimedia…

Investigates children's language and interaction during sharing time in a first-grade classroom. Observes that when sharing time shifted from a teacher-led to a child-led event, corresponding changes appeared in children's language. Suggests that teachers create speech situations that children control to encourage language development and…