Group support, satisfaction, and the behaviour profiles of group members.

Abstract

The response profiles of individuals systematically supported and non‐supported by other group members are compared to determine the effects of social reinforcement upon behaviour. These profiles are in turn contrasted with those reported by Bales for groups in which members report high and low satisfaction with the group's performance, and also with the combined behaviour profiles of twenty‐four groups, the latter serving as a ‘normative group’. The comparisons indicate that individuals in the support and satisfaction conditions make more positive affect and directive responses than individuals in the normative, non‐supported and dissatisfied conditions, where as individuals in the non‐supported and dissatisfied conditions make more inquiries and negative affect responses than those in the other three conditions.