Group Leader and Member Characteristics and Attraction To Initial and Final Group Sessions and To the Group and Group Leader

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether specific personality characteristics of group leaders and group members predict group members' evaluations of the group leader and of the group experience in self-exploration groups. Group leader and group member state anxiety, trait anxiety, and cognitive style were assessed prior to or at the beginning of the firstgroup session. At the end of the initial session and again at the end of the final session, the group members rated the specific session. At the end of the final session the group members also rated the overall group experience and the group leader. Forward multiple regressions yielded significant effects concerning initial group rating and leader evaluation. No effects were found for the final group session or the global group evaluation. Implications for group theory and research are presented.