Encounter Groups: Positive Change or Deterioration? More Data and a Partial Replication

Abstract

Several recent articles have concluded that 8% to 10% of participants in encounter groups can be classified as casualties and up to 50% reap a negative benefit. However, these articles investigate negative benefit. Using the Lieberman, Yalom, and Miles criteria of two peer nominations or a self-nomination for identifying a participant's experience, 10% of 327 participants in 39 trainerless T groups were classified as negatively affected and 54% as positively affected. Of the 10% classified as having a negative experience, 7% were also classified as having had a positive experience, leaving only 3% with solely a negative experience. It may be that some discomfort is inherent in the growth process. Future research on encounter groups might investigate the positive as well as the negative aspects and how these experiences aid in overall growth.

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