Organized action need not depend on group consensus. Karl Weick's theory argues that only minimal shared understanding is needed and that common ends and shared meanings may be outcomes of organized action, not prerequisites. This paper reveals four communication mechanisms that generate and sustain equifinal meaning (multiple routes to a single…

Discusses how a student's participation in a group can influence his or her behavior and how teachers can anticipate conflict situations and manage them. (IRT)

Defines concepts underlying a supportive group climate in the classroom and suggests ways to develop such an atmosphere in the social studies classroom. The teacher should model supportive communication, help students in skills related to group interaction, and deemphasize interpersonal competition. (Author/KC)

University residence hall administrators employ a variety of strategies, including group billing, to combat vandalism. Reviews theoretical and practical bases for group billing; examines potential challenges to the practice; and offers recommendations for residence administrators and university counsel. (MLF)

Describes and analyzes a run of the roughest and most basic version of the ABZ GAMES, a family of games for teaching about social group interaction in situations where oppression is a key element. Adaptations for a migrant farm version and a women's rights version are noted. (Author/CMV)

Presents some suggestions to secondary teachers on organizing small group instruction projects and provides a sample set of conduct guidelines for students participating in group work. (SJL)

Presents study results examining social pressure within sexually homogenous groups. Explains that cohesiveness, based on common beliefs, was established in half of the sample while prevented in the remainder. Reports that groups were required to reach consensus after conflict was introduced. Concludes that low cohesion groups showed the greatest…

Points out the importance of effective group work in all aspects of education. Provides group members and leaders with 15 practical guidelines concerning member behavior in groups and task or structural characteristics of groups. Suggestions deal with issues such as communication styles, group maintenance, group size, and reaching consensus. (JHZ)

This game focuses on techniques for identifying coalitions or subgroups within larger social systems; and generates a wealth of data that not only serve to dramatize social dynamics, but also can be used to identify the structure of coalitions and the degree to which particular individuals exert interpersonal influence. (Author/CMV)

Children's (ages 8-12) interactive social responses to computers were examined. Results showed that students had not considered the social implications of using another's data. When infringements of their rights to privacy took place, students demanded penalties. Students showed preference for group problem-solving strategies. (RM)

The persistence of dangerous initiation rituals in student organizations despite administrative and legislative efforts to end them is examined. (MSE)

Describes a specific technique that involves initiative games to assess the level of group cooperation among children ages 11 to 13 in a school setting. Describes the development of initiative tasks used in the evaluation and the observation procedure used. (SB)

Program staffs working with emotionally disturbed students must be aware of their negative collective reactions to students with whom they experience little progress. This collective process can occur even though individual staff-student interactions avoid conflict cycles. To fight these negative reactions, verbalization of frustrations and…

The behavior of 19 decision-making groups provided the basis for a model of the development of norms in newly formed groups. Data from the decision-making groups are used to illustrate the model, and implications for related research domains are discussed. Appended are 39 references. (MLF)

Inclusion behavior refers to associations between people in groups. It recognizes individuals by including them in group activity such as getting acquainted, relaxing, or just having fun. Activities are suggested for use in the classroom or training session as well as in social situations. (JAC)