The effect of group composition on risk taking was investigated by having various 3-man groups discuss caution-oriented items. Results indicated: (1) only one of nine group types exhibited a significant shift to caution; (2) except for the homogeneous groups, in which there were no shifts, significant shifts in individual decisions did occur, at…

Examines a study in which 15 freshmen and 15 seniors at Princeton University used 60 trait adjectives, 20 of which were student slang, to describe people they knew. Confirms that multidimensional scaling (MDS) reflects changes in semantic structure as a function of group membership. (MB)

Prior theoretical formulations have suggested that client exposure to levels of personal risk and responsibility most conducive to optimal group development can be regulated with group structure. Analysis of variance results indicated the highest frequency of therapeutically relevant behaviors occurred in the high-structure and high-risk-taking…

The degree of acquaintance among group members (friends or strangers) and the opportunity for group members to observe each other's actions (anonymous or non-anonymous) were manipulated in a 2 x 2 factorial design, to determine the amount of aversive stimulation that would be administered to a target person. When group members could not observe…

The role of feedback in T-groups was studied. Results indicate that feedback increases as T-groups progress, feedback is more emotional and non-evaluative than cognitive in nature, positive and direct feedback to the leaders increases as the group develops, and specific feedback between members increases as groups progress. (SE)