Trainer-Member Influence in T Groups: One-Way or Two-Way?

Abstract

The study examined the influence of trainer attitudes upon member attitudes toward the group, and of member attitudes upon trainer self-attitudes, at early and later time points in seven weekend T Groups. It was found that members accurately perceived trainers' attitudes toward the group and that members' own attitudes corresponded closely with their perceptions of trainer attitudes. At the early time point, self-attitudes of senior trainers showed near-significant negative correlations, and self-attitudes of co-trainers showed low positive correlations, with their perceptions of member attitudes towards themselves. At the later time point, both senior trainer and co-trainer self-attitudes were strongly associated with their perceptions of member attitudes toward themselves but these perceptions bore little relationship to actually reported member attitudes. Trainers showed a strong and consistent tendency to underestimate the favourability of member attitudes towards themselves.