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Abstract

The concept of psychological atmosphere, describing the effects of a style of leadership in early research, was further refined by Hust within the construct of co-adaptation. Atmosphere is discussed as an intervening motivational variable, made recognizable by distinct patterns of interactive behavior but also subject to development over time. In the operational context of co-adaptation, differential atmospheric conditions were established by manipulating interpersonal status in the structure of 24 four-member groups of adolescents enrolled in special education. Over four trials on an independent group task involving extraction of objects from a bottle, patterns of affiliation and productivity were seen from which emergent atmospheres could be inferred.

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Atmospheric Developments in Co-Adaptation

Abstract

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