Competition is evident within all aspects of life, among all types of people, and throughout the recorded history of mankind. Sport as both an educational process and profession is no exception. In recent years, however, the concept of competition has been increasingly subjected to examination by both educators and participants. What is…

Recently, behavioral researchers have extended the application of operant conditioning techniques from the behavior management of individual students to the behavior management of entire classes of students. This extension has been facilitated through the utilization of such contingencies as the interdependent group-oriented contingency. The…

Although various social groupings--aggregates, dyads, groups, and organizations--have been the subject of much past study, researchers have encountered an absence of a systematic theory to explain behavior within marriage and family units. This paper examines the diversity present in research concerning marriage and family units and suggests that…

The relative effectiveness of alternative reward structures in strengthening group performance on a cooperative math task was investigated by operationalizing four reward structure treatments--one non-contingent pay treatment and three differential pay allocation treatments including two levels of inter-group competition and a group piece-rate pay…

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…

Mathematical models have been used extensively to describe the judgmental processes and strategies of individual decision makers, but rarely have the procedures been extended to describe the judgmental strategies of decision-making groups. The present study attempts to extend the procedures for the purposes of describing group decision-making…

Discusses basic weaknesses and limitations of models, simulations, gaming, and other analytical and behavioral approaches to simplifying reality for understanding. The development and use of scenarios and the model builder's basic conceptions of the aspects of reality being analyzed are described for a one-person, computer-interactive, quasi-rigid…

This research evaluates why individuals seek out or avoid encounter groups. The most important reasons for participation include; self-understanding, overcoming specific problems and learning to express feelings. Reluctance may come from lack of trust and fear of losing control. (MFD)

Explains that the central problem of experimental social psychology is the mutual influencing processes by which the individual affects and is affected by others. Identifies important areas in social psychology before and after 1950; reviews work on balance and dissonance theories; and explores the relationship between attribution and balance…

Summarizes research on small group processes by giving a comprehensive account of the types of variables primarily studied in the laboratory. These include group structure, group composition, group size, and group relations. Considers effects of power, leadership, conformity to social norms, and role relationships. (Author/AV)

The tendency to delay gratification as affected by sex and group participation was explored in 6- and 7-year-old children. (BRT)

A film workshop was conducted at a special residential school for four preadolescent boys with behavioral problems. Available from: American Journal of Art Therapy, 6010 Broad Branch Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015. (GW)

Student perceptions of supervisor and peer behavior during teaching clinic conferences (a group supervisory approach) were assessed. Four groups of graduate students (N=24) in speech-language pathology and two supervisors participated in 19 teaching clinics. Students described peer behavior as different than supervisors' behavior, and reported…

Experienced and volunteer caregivers' interactions with young children in a group program were observed to determine if children with varying characteristics were given different amounts of attention. Results indicated that caregivers pay varying amounts of attention to individual children--especially in terms of physical attractiveness and…

Purposes that give rise to and shape of academic activities of faculty and thereby give the institution what is called its "inner order" are discussed. The ways in which legal formulations and resolutions either confirm or disturb the "inner order" of the institutions are explored. (Author/MLW)