During a 1-day ropes course, 84 university residence assistants were exposed to 1 of 3 facilitation techniques (no debriefing, debriefing following experience, and using metaphors to frame upcoming experience). Results indicate that the experience was effective in producing individual and group change, metaphoric facilitation produced greater…

Offers suggestions for a sociology course in extraordinary groups, utopian studies, or alternative communities to help broaden awareness and understanding of human behavior, past and present groups, and cultural pluralism. Includes ideas for field trips, projects, readings, and films and videos. Discusses basing lectures on commitment, conversion,…

A study of attitudes toward the job of 263 daytime-employed college students demonstrates that identification with a psychological group or organization (IDPG) is conceptually and empirically distinct from organizational commitment. IDPG also has less overlap than commitment with job satisfaction, organizational satisfaction, and job involvement.…

Draws on self-categorization theory (use of social characteristics to define psychological groups and promote positive self-identity) to explore the effects of demographic diversity on an individual's psychological and behavior attachment to an organization. Membership in a majority-dominated social group may both satisfy the minority member's…

A case study of nursing school faculty examines effects on organizational behavior of predominantly female staff, and suggests a distinct female view of the world and workplace. Major themes focus on importance of interpersonal relationships, with food, social events, support mechanisms, and meetings as facilitators. Contains 51 references. (SV)

Describes a microcomputer-based digital video course that uses virtual reality to teach the code inspection (i.e., formal software technical review) process. Use of virtual reality for group process activities that involve interpersonal and group dynamic skills is discussed, and research indicating that realism improves course effectiveness is…

Describes a social work model of culture-competent group practice. Outlines an approach that teaches ethnocultural content to social work students, helps students evaluate their own world views and ethnocentric attitudes, and develops in students the sensitivity and leadership skills necessary to effective group work with diverse populations. (SV)

This study examined the effects of discounting behavior ("put downs") on the quantity and quality of ideas produced by a group and on the group climate. Subjects were 52 college students divided into 8 groups. Groups in which discounting occurred produced significantly fewer ideas, and the emotional response to the group process was…

Cooperative learning can help children understand and accept children of other races. In cooperative learning, students work in small teams with students of differing abilities and help each other master material. The highly structured format involves five elements: positive interdependence, face-to-face interaction, individual and team…

Discusses various concepts of crisis intervention theory as applied to the treatment of rural victims of child sexual abuse and their families. Describes a working example of a rural child sexual abuse crisis group, including the initial stages of group development, the cohesive/working stage, and the termination stage. (LP)

The Personal Development File involved undergraduate business students in exploring the present, envisioning the future, and bridging the gap within the framework of a support group. However, many students opposed the behavioral and attitudinal objectives involved, and negative group interaction caused some students to withdraw from the project.…

It is proposed that, in the current constructivist approach to learning, the teacher's role is less that of transmitting knowledge, more that of facilitating learning in less directive ways. Techniques for promoting active learning, guided reciprocal peer-questioning, and cooperative learning in the college classroom based on this approach are…

Discusses 10 major school change strategies engaging the author's energy, beginning with training in group dynamics in the 1950s through today's emphasis on school restructuring. Other strategies included innovation diffusion and transfer, organizational self-renewal, knowledge transfer, creation of new schools, supported implementation, local…

Outlines the theory and practice of debriefing and considers its importance in experiential learning and outdoor adventure education. Discusses theories of transfer of learning; levels of cognitive processing in relation to sequence of debriefing questions and activities; establishing supportive group behaviors; 10 soft skills needed by debriefing…

Examines the cultural assumptions about what makes an effective team member. Argues that educators typically design collaborative projects and evaluate student participants by using a Western mode of how people should behave in groups. Suggests pedagogical strategies to prepare students for collaborating with students from many cultures. (RS)