Following Bennis and Shepard's work, groups are thought to become preoccupied with problems of gaining reassurance about six basic human tasks in turn. One can show that these problems, called focal problems, have two forms, inclusive and narrowed, and that progressing through the problems requires three subphases. (Author/ABL)

Discusses the definition and origin of the term "groupthink." Examines three studies on groupthink by John Courtright (1978), Matie Flowers (1977), and Philip Tetlock (1979). Concludes none of the three is superior to another but that it can be learned from all three that group decision making is fraught with danger. (ABL)

Research findings suggest that behavioral feedback is rated by group members as more effective than interpretive or mixed feedback. (Author)

Brainwashing as a technique to implant a particular belief system and the success of the technique is dependent on development of intense relationships among the people involved. The article points up similarities between Chinese brainwashing and American religious cultism. (Author)

In the history of small group studies (in the field of communication theory and research), two factors contributed to the changes that led to Ernest Bormann publishing in 1970 his work questioning the value of the knowledge being reported and the appropriateness of the methods by which it was being generated. First, prior to 1965, a limited amount…

Emphasizes the desirability of pregroup preparation to establish norms early in the life of the group. Describes three methods of preparation: (1) cognitive, (2) vicarious experience, and (3) behavioral. Discusses the effects of each method on group members. (Author/JAC)

Teacher- or advisor-led growth groups are an integral part of the middle school concept. A training program is discussed, one designed to provide teachers with group facilitation skills to be used in an advisor-advisee program for group work in middle school. (Author)