Abstract
60 college students participated in a one-time personal growth group experience. Subjects were assigned to one of eight groups. Groups participated in three exercises to promote interpersonal contact. Feedback sessions followed for all groups. Two groups generated and exchanged positive feedback and two groups generated and exchanged negative feedback among group members. Lists of statements (positive or negative) were used as feedback in the other four groups. Major factors were valence, structure, and replication Positive feedback was more credible, desirable, and influential than negative feedback as rated by recipients and donors. Exchanging positive information appears more easily achieved in short-term groups than is negative information, and apparently whether information is invented or selected from lists is not crucial. Group cohesiveness and personality change apparently ate not differentially influenced by main variables. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research.
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