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Abstract

Systematic methods are needed for studying group development over time. The method described here permits interpretive description of a group session, useful both for feedback to the group and for further study of group processes. Participants in six T Groups rated the degree of importance of 45 themes for six middle sessions of their group. A correlation matrix for each session was derived; these were averaged and the resulting average matrix was factor-analyzed. Factor scores for individuals and groups (by session) were derived. The group scores served as the basis for interpretive descriptions. The results of this and other studies are compared and criteria for a methodology to investigate group thematic structure over time are explored.

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References

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A Method for the Analysis of the Thematic Structure of T Groups

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