Subjects (N=240) participated in brief encounter group experiences that varied the amount of physical contact in the structured exercises. These included no-touch, moderate-touch, and high-touch conditions. Results on the scales were consistent with behavioral data in showing the positive effects of increased physical contact. (Author)

One-hundred and fifty parents of persons residing in 11 Texas institutions for the retarded completed questionnaires in which they were asked to provide demographic data and to express their agreement or disagreement with 19 statements concerning deinstitutionalization. (Author/CL)

It is proposed that clinicians should develop research-based assertiveness training procedures for homosexuals that are designed to facilitate homosexual functioning. Subjects (N=27) were assigned to a behaviorally oriented assertive training group or a non-directive group run by a homosexual guidance service. Self-report measures indicated…

Recounts the experiences of two different night hikes by junior high students in central Ohio which focused on writing a group poem and exploring the mysteries of the "unlit" world. Discusses imagery and features excerpts from "night" poetry, both that written by the students and readings from published poets. (PA)

A study of 86 entry workers and 94 students beginning departmental studies showed that environmental congruence (fit between personality and environment) was modestly related to job satisfaction. The magnitude of the effect of importance of belonging to a group was considerably higher after several months. (SK)

Applied outdoor experiences may be seen as theater and, as such, can allow a more flexible, integrative approach to outdoor learning. Both the arts (particularly theater) and outdoor experiential learning contain nine common elements, including elements of working with groups, and personal and transpersonal components of experience. Three…

Psychodrama as a therapeutic exercise and a format for understanding emotional and cognitive development is a form of experiential learning that can help adults practice inner reflection and imagine change. (SK)

Focuses on one developmentally disabled child's experiences at a summer camp for nondisabled children. Describes the strategies implemented at Lourdes Camp (New York) to provide individualized support. Discusses the benefits to nondisabled children of normal interactions with a disabled child. Includes six references. (SV)

Results of research in a fifth grade classroom on the characteristics of leaders emerging in four different small group situations found that student leaders (for both verbal and nonverbal activities) tended to be the most verbal students with the most ideas. (DB)

Explored relationship between group members' (n=61) interpersonal problems and their perception of group climate. Found that group members who perceived themselves as too dominant experienced group climate as more avoiding and tense. Those who perceived themselves as too cold and as not having problems with assertiveness perceived group climate as…

Discusses the group investigation teaching model, which combines inquiry and cooperative learning. Identifies the steps of group investigation as (1) establishing a focus, identifying subtopics, and forming groups; (2) planning the investigation; (3) carrying out the investigation; (4) preparing to share; (5) sharing; and (6) evaluation. Offers an…

Adventure educators must elevate participants' experience beyond a parade in the environment. Innovative right-brain strategies that can be used before, during, and after the encounter to capture the wonder of the "natural moment" include visualization, sensitizing, treating flora and fauna as celebrities, thematic photography, the mind…

This grounded theory article focuses on the role of social communications during an online group problem-solving class. The proposed theory states that students working collaboratively and asynchronously with people they do not know use social comments to overcome emotional and geographical distance feelings. The subthemes of self-revelation,…

This article explores the use of discourse analysis and conversation analysis as an evaluation tool in problem-based learning. The basic principles of the methods are discussed and their application in analysing talk in problem-based learning considered. Findings suggest that these methods could enable an understanding of how effective…

Group leaders randomly employed a counseling leadership approach for one session in place of the guidance leadership approach typically used in six ongoing domestic violence offender groups. Group members completed the Critical Incident Questionnaire to assess therapeutic factors and the Group Experience Rating Form to assess if the leadership…