Article stresses the effect of physical environment on a conference's success or failure. Further research into what constitutes the best setting and how to achieve it is urged. More study is also needed of how individuals at conferences interact with each other and with the physical setting. (PD)

This essay explores a kind of adaptation, referred to as defenseive structuring, that recurs with great regularity among groups that perceive themselves as exposed to environmental stress of long duration with which they cannot cope directly and aggressively." (Author)

This basic model of group therapy highlights marked differences from individual therapy and illustrates the complexity of treatment planning. An attempt at enriching and integrating group methods gives rise to Theme-Centered Interactional Therapy, the advantages of which are discussed. Comment by Milton Schwebel follows. (Author)

Five-to nine-year-olds engage in an after school program designed to develop their cognitive skills. (AJ)

In response to article by William Coulson in this issue, the author explores the possibility of a T group with a specific group focus rather than one which seeks to explore individual behaviors. He feels differences of opinion regarding the use of groups is a step toward understanding how best to proceed in the future. (CJ)

Examined if making group goals of decision acceptance and quality explicit versus leaving them unstated would influence the decision-making effectiveness of male and female interacting groups. Explicitly stating that group members should strive for acceptance increased group decision-making quality and increased individual acceptance of the group…

The daily behavior of 240 mentally retarded adult residents and 75 staff members was analyzed in relation to facility size (ranging from 6 to 20 residents) and other environmental variables. Staff behavior was remarkably homogeneous and generally unrelated to facility characteristics. In contrast, resident behavior differed significantly across…

Identifies and compares the patterns of communication of groups making risky and cautious decision shifts. Risky- and cautious-shift group discussions displayed nonrandom and statistically different distributional and sequential structures. Findings are discussed in terms of two explanations of the risky- shift phenomenon. (JMF)

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)