RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE DEGREE OF LIKING AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN (DEGREE OF GROUP COHESIVENESS) HAS A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON ASPECTS OF PUPIL BEHAVIOR. IN THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF REINFORCEMENT LEARNING THEORY, INVESTIGATION OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COHESIVENESS (A GROUP VARIABLE) AND INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR CAN LEAD BOTH TO A BETTER…

This article discusses the use of teaching teams to encourage active learning in a business communication class. The author offers examples of short activities that can be used to help create an active learning environment. Some of these favorite activities include homework reviews, the value line, 3-2-1 processor, and muddiest point. In each of…

This paper presents an overview of the psycho-social aspects of social loafing and free riding in a traditional and distance learning environment. A brief literature review and summaries of frequently cited antecedents and their mitigating factors are reviewed for application by instructors, designers, and administrators in distance education.…

Undergraduates in mixed-sex groups evaluated female-authored articles. Subjects in all-women groups did not show sex discrimination. Female subjects in mixed-sex groups endorsed more profeminist ideas. Participation in an all-women's group may elicit a more positive image of women. (Author)

Investigates the effect of group composition on judgments of African Americans. White male and female college students (N=84) responded to photographic slides of female work groups containing altered racial compositions. Results suggest that work groups featuring a distinctive (or solo) group member may affect judgments about similar others…

Compares the perceptions of 534 adults and 458 secondary school students in Racine (Wisconsin) about gang activity in the community. Finds that adults perceive gangs as formalized, highly organized, structured groups, while youth perceive gangs as more informal, loosely organized, and amorphous groups. (FMW)

In today's business world, the ability to work efficiently and effectively with others in a group is a mandatory skill. Many employers rank "ability to work with a group" as one of the most important attributes for business school graduates to possess. Therefore, it is important for instructors to understand the factors that influence group…

Presents (in the form of a conversation with "The Vampire") data on middle school students' attitudes toward literature circles, how they choose their groups for literature circles, patterns in the groups chosen, and how students selected the books they did. (SR)

This article outlines the rationale for and development of a small group piano teaching approach for application in the higher education environment. The influences on and the rationale for current preferences in the piano teaching field are considered, prior to an investigation of the literature, which reveals a number of issues of concern in…

The author, using four categories of campus subcultures suggested by Burton Clark and Martin Trow (vocational, academic, collegiate, and nonconformist), investigates the student subcultures as they appear among Bowdoin's Class of 1970. College Student Questionnaires administered to students in September and again in April indicated that there is…

Explores the choral sound preferences and perceptions of choristers and auditors focusing on the effects of using different choral formations and types of spacing between singers and rows of singers. Suggests that choir spacing made a greater contribution to choral sound preferences of both auditors and choristers than did formation. (CMK)

A 113-item survey instrument was designed to measure the class climate perceptions of 20,157 students in grades 7-12 as part of the "A Study of Schooling" research project. The 29 constructs of the questionnaire focused on students' interpersonal needs, classroom procedures, and instructional practices. Survey items were written in the first…

Conducted study to determine sociometric group structure of sixth grade classes in four elementary schools (N=372); acceptance, rejection, and isolate interaction patterns; and psychological and social self-perceptions of sociometric isolate. Results identified six most frequently selected psychological and six most frequently selected social…