Effects of an encounter group experience on self-perception and interpersonal relations.

Conducted a controlled laboratory investigation of an encounter group experience involving 24 Ss. All Ss 1st participated in a group discussion and rated each other and self on liking, trust, openness, and relaxation. A week later, 1/2 of the Ss participated in a 2-day group encounter and, subsequently, all Ss met again in discussion and were rerated on the same values by each other, self, and independent Os. Results show the encounter Ss improved in self concept, intragroup cohesiveness and liking, and ability to relate to others. No such changes were found for the controls. Negatively, however, the Os did not find any difference between experimental Ss and controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonspecific factors in weekend encounter groups.

Arranged a weekend encounter experience for 3 groups (n = 11 each) which used methods varying from highly structured, exercise-oriented techniques to nonstructured basic discussion. In comparison with an at-home control group (n = 11), the 3 encounter groups showed significant improvement on self-report measures but did not differ among themselves to any great extent. Nor did the encounter groups differ substantially from an on-site control group (n = 11) whose participants were led to believe they were also in an encounter group but were given only recreational activities. Behavioral and sociometric measures, with 1 minor exception, showed that the 3 encounter groups and the on-site control group were virtually indistinguishable. It is concluded that the favorable outcomes of encounter groups reported in the literature may be accounted for by nonspecific therapeutic factors such as expectancy of favorable outcome, group enthusiasm, and the reactive nature of outcome measures. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of interpersonal relationships upon verbal conditioning.

"Two conditioning experiments were conducted in which E used 'mmm-hmm' to reinforce sentences which S began with pronouns 'I' or 'We.' Experiment I relied upon instructions to create a condition of either High- or Low-Attraction between S and E. Experiment II utilized… [a] scale to establish Compatible and Incompatible groups in terms of interpersonal needs… . Ss who were incompatible, or not attracted to E, suppressed the effects of reinforcement until removed from E's presence. The implications of these findings for generalizing from verbal conditioning situations to the patient-therapist relationship in clinical settings was discussed." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A brief encounter group experience and social relationships in a dormitory.

Examined the effects of a brief encounter group experience upon 500 residents in a university dormitory. Women living on 3 separate floors were designated experimental Ss and provided with a group experience designed to encourage personal interaction, while women on 2 other floors were assigned to a control group. 6 preexperimental and follow-up measures (e.g., semantic differential ratings of floor atmosphere, a modified Self-Disclosure Questionnaire, and frequency of conversations with peers) administered to both groups showed that experimental Ss evidenced greater improvement in their attitudes toward the importance of "floor spirit" in their ratings of the social atmosphere of their floor and in the number of peers they subsequently identified as acquaintances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of group problem solving experience upon social withdrawal in chronic schizophrenics.

It was hypothesized that chronic schizophrenics exposed to sustained group problem solving experience would tend to improve their levels of social participation on criterion tasks socially more challenging and complex. It was further hypothesized that such improvement would generalize to task performance with total strangers and to social behavior on the ward. All predictions except the one about ward behavior were confirmed by experimental findings with 32 chronic schizophrenic patients. It is suggested that sustained social experience in situations which elicit social participation permit factors to, become operative which reduce anxiety associated with socially more challenging, complex situations and thus facilitate participation in such situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dimensions of experience in encounter groups. Empirical studies on client-centered group activities

The experiencing of participants of client-centered encounter groups served to demonstrate possibilities and limits of current models of the group process. This was done by analyzing the correlations between 5 dimensions of experiencing and aims of group participation, personality variables, modus of participation i.e. patient, student, therapist, time of participation, and group setting. The experiencing dimensions included 1. sympathy, trust, understanding, and help between members, 2. freedom from anxiety and stress, 3. openness, controversy and feedback, 4. momentary strong and basic feelings in one's self and others, 5. understanding, help and closeness of the group facilitator. The results show: Successful group participation was to the extent of maximal 50% determined by the experiences immanent in the client centered group process concept. Personality variables measured by tests determined the experiencing in the group to an extent of maximal 10%, supposedly less than the group experiencing was influenced by special characteristics of the group development for example the initial phase of group formation, member characteristics like age, attitudes concerning group work, and conventions of social behaviour. Even less relevant as determinants of group experiencing were differences of group setting and social pressure in the direction of uniform experiences at least within the first 20 hours of group participation.     

Self-perception and interpersonal behavior changes in marathon and time-extended encounter groups.

Assigned 27 undergraduates to a time-extended, a marathon group, or a control condition to evaluate the effects of encounter experiences on self-perception and interpersonal behavior. The Personal Orientation Inventory and the Interpersonal Check List were administered before the group experience, the day after, and again 8 wks later. Both experimental groups showed significantly greater changes in self-perceptions from pretest to posttest than the control group. No between-group differences were found on follow-up. Ratings made by each S's "significant other" indicated no between-group differences. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of threat upon interpersonal bargaining.

The effect of threat on the process of bargaining was investigated experimentally by asking Ss to imagine proceeding across a certain route on a map and having various experiences. Threat was seen to affect bargaining detrimentally. In that regard, cooperative ventures were seen to be safer than competitive ones. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptual orientations of contemporary small group theory.

In an attempt to study some of the conceptual and content parameters of contemporary small group orientations, 2 classificatory systems were developed and applied to a sample of empirical hypotheses derived from 6 such orientations. The results of this analysis provide data on the similarities and differences between these points of view on 3 dimensions: (1) the size of the social unit(s), (2) the social process level(s) with which they deal, and (3) the substantive content of the variables which they employ. (2 p. ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of group cohesiveness and training upon creative thinking.

In the formation of creative thinking groups, how well does brainstorming work? 48 Ss were divided into trained and untrained samples; and cohesive, noncohesive, and "nominal" subgroups of 2 persons each were formed, based on sociometric choice. Several hypothetical problems were discussed. An analysis of variance statistical technique was used to compare number of responses and number of unique responses between the groups. "Brainstorming by pairs of superior adults will produce more unique ideas when the groups are trained in the method and composed of people who like to brainstorm together. This is true, however, only when they are working on ego-involving problems." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contrasting interpersonal orientations in hypnosis: Collaborative versus contractual modes of response.

Tested 36 susceptible and 36 insusceptible Ss to examine the effect of markedly contrasting styles of interpersonal orientation of the hypnotist on their responsiveness. Ss were allocated to a 2 * 2 factorial design that varied group identity (real or simulating) and nature of test setting (contractual or collaborative). The collaborative setting attempted to promote much franker and more open communication between S and hypnotist than the traditional contractual setting. Results indicate that context of testing had an appreciable effect on Ss' attitudes toward the hypnotic situation, but little effect on their objective performance on routine test items. Hypnotic Ss were more willing than role-playing Ss to engage in dialogue with the hypnotist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A pregroup training technique for encounter group stress.

Determined the efficacy of induced affect as a pregroup training experience for coping with stress related to participation in an encounter group. 26 undergraduates who volunteered to participate in an encounter group randomly were assigned to 3 treatment groups, induced-affect training plus the encounter group, induced-affect training only, and encounter group only. The following hypotheses were supported: (a) group participants who did not receive the induced-affect pregroup training would demonstrate significant increases on the Neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory and (b) group members who did receive such training would not manifest such increases. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of physical contact in an encounter group context.

120 male and 120 female undergraduates participated in brief encounter group experiences that varied the amount of physical contact in the structured exercises: (no-touch, moderate-touch, and high-touch). Ss were assigned to 4-person same- or opposite-sex groups for the structured activities. The study was a 2 * 2 * 3 analysis of variance design (sex, group composition, and touch). Analysis of the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance Scale, the semantic differential, and the Risk-Taking Behavior Questionnaire was consistent with behavioral data in showing the positive effects of increased physical contact. Group composition yielded parallel results, with heterosexually balanced groups reporting more favorable outcomes. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of automated reflection response training on the group assessment of interpersonal traits.

Assigned applicants for a paraprofessional counselor training program to 1 of 2 training conditions: brief, leaderless reflection training or a simultaneous control experience. 94 women and 17 men with an average age of 44 yrs participated. Ss then participated in Goodman's Group Assessment of Interpersonal Traits (GAIT), which produces a series of brief discloser-understander dyadic interactions. 2 group order conditions were created to test for modeling by drawing the 1st GAIT understander from either the reflection or the control condition. Verbal behavior on the GAIT was not affected by order. Reflection-trained Ss used more reflections but fewer questions and disclosures and received higher participant GAIT ratings than controls. A reflection preference pretest, subsequent reflection usage, and global GAIT ratings were all significantly intercorrelated. Implications for training and selecting nonprofessional counselors are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of interpersonal trust on work group performance.

This study explored 2 questions: Does the level of trust within a group affect group performance? If so, how does this relationship operate? An experimental method was used to examine 2 roles through which interpersonal trust could affect group performance: a main effect and a moderating effect. The data do not support the main effect that has dominated the literature on interpersonal trust. The data do support the moderating role: Trust seems to influence how motivation is converted into work group processes and performance. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that trust may be best understood as a construct that influences group performance indirectly by channeling group members' energy toward reaching alternative goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pretesting as a confounding variable in evaluating an encounter group.

Evaluated the effectiveness of an encounter group designed to enhance relationships between 3 groups of 68 15-21 yr old black inner-city males and 3 groups of 38 white and 2 black policemen and the interaction between pretesting and treatment and its effects on outcome. There were 3 experimental and 3 control groups which either did or did not participate in the pretest and treatment portions of the study; all groups completed the posttest. The 2 evaluation measures were the Alienation Index Inventory and a specially developed projective device; these were administered by white and black Es to same-race groups. Results indicate that the proportion of variance contributed by pretesting is influenced by group membership, treatment, and outcome criterion and is largely unpredictable. It is suggested that such variance be controlled in each experiment. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The marathon encounter group: A review of the outcome literature.

45 investigations of the marathon encounter group are systematically evaluated. Comparisons are made within sections on time format, Ss, leaders, treatment, testing periods, and outcome criteria. All but 6 studies used "normal" college volunteers as Ss. Some positive results were found in varied aspects of personal or social functioning, although the group effects seemed to be temporary. The methodological shortcomings are considerable. The superiority of the marathon encounter group over traditional spaced group treatment is not established, and the treatment methods most effective in the extended session still need to be identified. Critical limitations of the studies indicate that further investigations of variables predictive of desired outcomes should use treatment control groups, defined treatment formats, multiple outcome criteria, and comprehensive follow-up investigations. (3 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of experience and subjects' use of directions upon learning from prose.

Investigated the effects of 4 objective treatments (none, before text, after text, and combined before and after text) and 2 types of experience (practical and experimental) for intentional and incidental learning. A 1st analysis showed (a) greater overall performance with, rather than without, experience, (b) greater intentional than incidental learning, and (c) an Objective * Learning interaction. The primary finding of a 2nd analysis was that 2 types of experience (practical and experimental) did not differentially affect learning with the 4 objective treatments. The main finding of a 3rd analysis was that the inclusion of additional test items to measure incidental learning did not differentially affect learning with the 4 objective treatments. The 4th analysis showed that the 4 objective treatments consumed varying amounts of inspection time when the Ss were inexperienced, but not when they were experienced. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of personality and status experience upon the valuation of unobtained statuses.

"An experiment was designed to test the effects of attained and unattained outcomes on the perception of subjective status by members of small groups… . Six groups… experienced all the outcomes… and the subjects in the remaining groups experienced the outcomes in only one of the… middle status positions… . Three variables were investigated: the presence of unattained outcomes for subjects in the status system, perception by the subjects of the possibility of status mobility, and a personality measure… . It was found that the personality variable was instrumental in the differential perception by subjects of attained and unattained outcomes." From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4GE47G. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treating obsessive-compulsive personalities in psychodynamic/interpersonal group therapy.

Reviews the central dynamics and phenomenology of the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD) to highlight salient psychodynamic and structural issues that are meaningful in the development of treatment goals. Theories of its etiology are described. The advantages of a dynamically based interpersonal group for treating OCD individuals are numerous given the special character structure of OCD. The underlying model used for group treatment, defects in character style, and goals for character development are described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)