Date of Award:

5-1972

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Arts (MA)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Reed S. Morrill

Committee

Reed S. Morrill

Abstract

In college programs utilizing the quarter system there arise problems in the development of encounter groups due to a limited amount of time available. A short training program in evaluating group processes might be one way to facilitate group development. In order to test one such program two hypotheses were generated. Hypotheses I was tested for a significant difference between a Treatment Group, receiving training, and a Control Group, receiving no training, in expressed member satisfaction. Hypothesis II was tested for a significant difference in the therapeutic value of rated interaction between the Treatment and Control Group. Expressed member satisfaction was measured by a Group Rating Scale. Therapeutic value of interaction was measured by the Hill Interaction Matrix.

Two groups of eight subjects were used. Each group had the same leader and met for eight, two and one-half hour sessions, and a three hour training period.

The Treatment Group and the Control Group were exposed to three hours of training with the experimenter. The Treatment Group received three hours of training on the Hill Interaction Matrix. The Control Group received three hours of "placebo'' training consisting of an explanation of the purpose of feedback. The dependent variables then were "feedback" for the Control Group and HIM training for the Treatment Group.

The results of the study were favorable to the Treatment Group. Significant differences were revealed on five of the 16 items of the Group Rating Scale. Similarly the Treatment Group received a significantly higher rating in therapeutic value in Quadrant III of the Hill Interaction Matrix after receiving training. However, due to several confounding variables it cannot be definitely stated the results were due to the effects of treatment.

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