Observations were made of the social participation, constructiveness of play, and communicative interactions of developmentally delayed and non-delayed preschool children as they interacted in heterogeneous groups. The only significant effect of heterogeneous group composition on the children was reduced inappropriate play by severely delayed…

A structured approach to group therapy was added to an alcoholic treatment program previously offering only unstructured insight-oriented groups. Participants in the interpersonal problem-solving group therapy were generally very active in all sessions. Participants reported actively utilizing their learning after leaving the treatment program, a…

Behavioral observations and sociometric methods revealed a stable dominance hierarchy in eight groups of 12- to 14-year-old male and female adolescents at a summer camp. (JMB)

Describes an adolescent outpatient pretherapy training and orientation program considered to have speeded group cohesion; increased expression of positive expectations; reduced time-wasting discussion; decreased concerns over confidentiality; and facilitated verbal feedback skills. (Author/DB)

Advocates at least a modicum of counselor structure for effective group functioning. Helping the group define goals and set limits provides the membership with a sense of purpose and assists individuals toward the achievement of those goals. (Author)

Provides a rationale for the use of mental imagery as a primary counseling process in structured small group experiences. This purpose is based on assertions that mental imagery can facilitate client learning. (Author)

A model for the personal responsibility group is presented. Each person in the group chooses goals based on personal perspectives and is not subordinate to an authority or to the group. Personal responsibility for actions and decisions is taken by each group member. (RC)

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 National Representation Project of the Association of American Colleges found that there must be a separate national voice for the independent liberal arts institutions (about 90 public universities and over 600 independent colleges and universities). Specific recommendations evolving from the project are discussed. (LBH)

To investigate gender effects on computer-mediated communication, undergraduate psychology students were put in small groups (males, females, or mixed) and were assigned feminine content (decision making) and masculine content (intellective) task types. Groups of females, regardless of task, sent more words per e-mail message, were more satisfied…

Explores the relationship between the dynamics of leadership teams in student affairs divisions of universities and colleges and campus leaders' perceptions of the effectiveness of the student affairs division as a whole. Results suggest that leadership teams in which members perceived higher levels of trust, structure, and work also perceived…

Analyzes the way task proceedings engender emotional reactions, the conditions under which these are expressed in positive and negative socioemotional behavior, and the effect of such behavior on the status hierarchy in informal task groups. Suggests that the expression of socioemotional behavior in task groups is deeply intertwined with the…

Sees introduction of specific structures and exercises in psychotherapy group as directly controlling course of events and affecting members' perceptions of the group and leader. Asserts that exercises must highlight, rather than bypass, existing group processes. Presents five-step model for preparing, working with, processing, generalizing, and…

Discusses the differentiation of the American professoriate on the following primary dimensions of professionalism: (1) patterns of work; (2) identification; (3) authority; (4) career; and (5) association. Argues that integration is accomplished through overlap of subcommunities, rather than through socialization or similar functions. (FMW)

Compares two contrasting perspectives of social contagion processes (structural equivalence and cohesion) associated with the organizational outcome variables of commitment and role ambiguity in organizations. Finds that structural equivalence was more associated with role ambiguity and that commitment was more associated with cohesion. (MS)