The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of experiential learning groups associated with adverse and growthful effects. Data were collected on trainer behavior/personality, participant personality/conditions of participation, and group process characteristics, and these were linked to two generic outcome measures (i.e., other trainee perceptions and work colleague reports). It wasfound that both positive and negative effects of such groups are (a) strongly related to the trainer's behavior and personality, (b) unrelated to group process and structured variables (e.g., degree of confrontation, level of intimacy in the group, etc.), and (c) associated with trainees' personality predispositions in the short run but not in the long term. The implications of these findings are fully discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ARGYRIS, C.Exploration and issues in laboratory education. Washington, D.C.: National Training Laboratory , 1966.
2.
BACK, K. W.Intervention techniques: Small groups . Annual Review of Psychology, 1974, 25, 367-387 .
3.
BATCHELDER, R. L. , & HARDY, J. M.Using sensitivity training and the laboratory method. New York: Association Press , 1968.
4.
BOLMAN, L. G.Some effects of trainers on their T-groups . Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 1971, 7, 309-326 .
5.
BOLMAN, L. G.Group leader effectiveness. In Cary L. Cooper (Ed.), Developing social skills in managers. London: Macmillan , 1976, pp. 37-51.
6.
BUNKER, D. R.Individual applications of laboratory training . Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 1965, 1, 131-148 .
7.
CATTELL, R. B. , EBER, H. W. , & TATSUOKA, M. M.Handbook for the 16PF questionnaire. Champaign, Illinois: Institute of Personality and Ability Testing , 1970.
8.
COOPER, C. L.The influence of the trainer on participant change in T-groups . Human Relations, 1969, 22, 515-530 .
9.
COOPER, C. L.Group training for individual and organizational development. Basel: S. Karger , 1973.
10.
COOPER, C. L.How psychologically dangerous are T-groups and encounter groups?Human Relations, 1975, 28(3), 249-260. (a)
11.
COOPER, C. L.Experiential learning groups: A substitute for therapy?Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 1975, 28(3), 337-341 . (b)
12.
COOPER, C. L.Theories of group processes. London: John Wiley , 1975. (c)
13.
COOPER, C. L. , & BOWLES, D.Physical encounter and self-disclosure . Psychological Reports, 1973, 33, 451-455 .
14.
COOPER, C. L. , & MANGHAM, I. L.T-group training: Before and after . Journal of Management Studies, 1970, 7, 224-239 .
15.
CRAWSHAW, R.How sensitive is sensitivity training?American Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 126, 870-873 .
16.
CULBERT, S. A.Trainer self-disclosure and member growth in two T-groups . Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 1968, 4, 47-74 .
17.
GILLIGAN, J. F.Personality characteristics of selectors and nonselectors of sensitivity training . Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1973, 20, 265-268 .
18.
GOTTSCHALK, L. A.Psychoanalytic notes on T-groups at the human relations laboratory, Bethel, Maine . Comprehensive Psychiatry, 1966, 7, 474-487 .
19.
GOTTSCHALK, L. A. , & PATTISON, E. M.Psychiatric perspective on T-groups and the laboratory movement: An overview . American Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 126, 823-839 .
20.
JAFFE, S. L. , & SCHERL, D. J.Acute psychosis precipitated by T-group experiences . Archives of General Psychiatry, 1969, 21, 443-448 .
21.
KERLINGER, F. N. , & PEDHAZER, E.Multiple regression in behavioral research. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston , 1973.
22.
LAKIN, M.Some ethical issues in sensitivity training . American Psychologist, 1969, 24, 923-928 .
23.
LIEBERMAN, L. A. , YALOM, I. D. , & MILES, M. B.Encounter groups: First facts. New York: Basic Books , 1973.
24.
MANN, E. K.Sensitivity training: Should we use it?Training Development Journal, 1970, 24, 44-48 .
25.
MOSCOW, D.T-group training in the Netherlands: An evaluation and cross-cultural comparison . Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 1971, 7, 427-448 .
26.
NATIONAL TRAINING LABORATORY (NTL) . News and Reports, 1969, 3, 4-4 .
27.
NIE, N. H. , HULL, C. H. , JENKINS, J. G. , STEINBRENNER, K. , & BENT, D. H.Statistical package for the social sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill , 1975.
28.
OLCH, D. , & SNOW, D. L.Personality characteristics of sensitivity group volunteers . Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1970, 48, 848-850 .
29.
ROSS, W. D. , KLIGFELD, M. , & WHITMAN, R. W.Psychiatrists, patients and sensitivity groups . Archives of General Psychiatry, 1971, 25, 178-180 .
30.
SCHEIN, E. H. , & BENNIS, W. G.Personal learning and organizational change through group methods. New York: John Wiley , 1965.
31.
SMITH, P. B.Are there adverse effects of sensitivity training?Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1975, 15(2), 29-47 .
32.
STONE, W. N. , & TIEGER, M. E.Screening for T-groups: The myth of healthy candidates . American Journal of Psychiatry, 1971, 127, 1485-1490 .
33.
WEISS, J. H.Effect of professional training and amount and accuracy of information on behavioral predictions . Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1963, 27, 257-262 .
34.
YALOM, I. D. , & LIEBERMAN, M. A.A study of encounter group casualties . Archives of General Psychiatry, 1971, 25, 16-30 .
