Perceptions Of Group Members Research Articles

Rehabilitation Service Providers: A Minority Perspective

The Multi-Cultural Issues Task Force is a work group of the Michigan Rehabilitation Association and the Michigan Association of Multi-Cultural Rehabilitation Concerns. In 1993, members of the Task Force used focus group methodology to gather information on the perceptions of minority group members who have disabilities regarding rehabilitation service providers. The findings support earlier research on the topic, but also provide consumer-based operational definitions of behaviors valued by minority consumers. Rehabilitation service providers can incorporate these desired behaviors as one method of enhancing their effectiveness.

Perceptions of relative group size and group status: Effects on intergroup discrimination in negative evaluations

AbstractThe positive–negative asymmetry in social discrimination proposes a threshold for ingroup favouritism within the negative domain: in contrast to comparable studies dealing with in‐ and outgroup evaluations on positive attributes, ingroup favouritism does not occur when negative attributes are used. The present study focuses on two aspects of this threshold: it investigates processes, which may influence the absence of ingroup favouritism in the negative domain, and it tests ‘aggravating’ variables, which seem to be suficient to elicit ingroup favouritism even in the negative domain.Results show that ingroup favouritism occurred within the negative domain when several aggravating conditions were included, namely high salience of size‐ and status‐ similarity between groups and high ingroup identification. Furthermore, subjects under minimal conditions tended to overestimate relative size as well as relative status of their ingroup. The perception of group members to belong to a high status majority is interpreted as a sufficient condition counteracting tendencies towards ingroup favouritism within the negative domain.

Group Perceptions as Predictors of Outcome in the Treatment of Incest Survivors

This study examined group perceptions as predictors of treatment outcome for 49 adult survivors of father–daughter incest participating in a 10-week group therapy program. Repertory grid measures of clients' perceptions of other group members and leaders in early and late treatment were considered as potential predictors of outcome, with pretreatment symptomatology treated as a covariate. Findings indicated that reduced identification, negativity, and tendency to construe members and therapists in extreme, polarized terms were associated with poorer outcome, defined in terms of social adjustment, self-concept, and symptomatic distress at termination and 6-month follow-up. However, the specific set of predictors shifted over time, with perceptions of other group members playing a more significant role early in therapy, and perceptions of therapists being more predictive of outcome when assessed in the penultimate session.

Redefining Cohesiveness in Groups

This article reports a replication and extension of the work of Kelly and Duran in assessing the relationship of group member perceptions of group interaction to group effectiveness. Using their original and our alternative operations of group cohesion, we conclude that perceived similarity may not always align with perceptions of cohesiveness. The difficulties we report in measuring group constructs should encourage future group researchers to seek grounded explanations of the constructs of interests from members themselves.

Perceptions of popularity among a group of high-functioning adults with autism

The purpose of this study was to determine how a group of adults with autism perceived one another's interpersonal attributes and popularity. Five female and 11 male high-functioning autistic adults, 18-45 years old, participated in a social skills group together for several years. A sociogram and a questionnaire designed to determine perceptions of best looking, most athletic, and most humorous group members were administered to group members and nonhandicapped group leaders. Independent assessments of intelligence and empathy also were taken. Results indicated that perceived attractiveness and sense of humor were correlated with popularity, but group members' assessments of these attributes differed from those of the nonhandicapped group leaders. Differences between group members and group leaders responses and the implications of the results of the study for social skills training with high-functioning autistic adolescents and adults are discussed.

Enhancing Computer-Mediated Communication: An experimental investigation into the use of a Group Decision Support System for face-to-face versus remote meetings

A controlled laboratory experiment was undertaken to examine the effects of the use of a Group Decision Support System (GDSS) on face-to-face versus remote meetings. Some expected and some unexpected results were obtained for decision performance (quality, speed, choice, shift) and group member perceptions (confidence and satisfaction). Use of a GDSS, for example, increased the time it took groups to reach a decision yet had no impact on the decision quality of the groups. Also, there was a substantial interaction effect regarding choice shift. The ramifications of these results are discussed fully.

The Measurement of Cohesion and its Relationship to Dimensions of Self-Disclosure in Classroom Settings

It is the purpose of this investigation to assess the relationship between cohesion and dimensions of self-disclosure in small classroom groups. Highly cohesive groups were characterized by individuals' perceptions of other group members' self-disclosures as unintentional, positive, and less than honest and by perceptions of their own disclosures as honest. Results, which contradict findings of studies using therapy groups, are explained with reference to appropriate self-disclosure in nontherapeutic settings.

Symlog

SYMLOG, an acronym for the System for Multiple Level Observation of Groups, represents both theory and method for defining and analyzing the interaction among group participants. Based upon Bales's life work, SYMLOG provides efficient data-capture techniques allowing managers and interventionists to collect group member perceptions about the interaction in their work group or in the larger organization. SYMLOG, as introduced by Bales and Cohen (1979), has been subjected to validity and reliability investigations; minor revisions have emerged. Researchers are using SYMLOG in their investigations of group and organizational communication; consultants are using SYMLOG to distinguish among work groups and provide effective feedback in interventions.

Belief Congruence and Prejudice Reduction in an Interracial Contact Setting

Abstract The effect of shared beliefs on the reduction of prejudicial attitudes in an interracial contact setting was investigated. Seventy-four white males from a small rural college participated in discussion groups, each including 3 black and 2 white male confederates instructed to agree or disagee with the subject. Overall prejudicial attitudes toward Blacks were assessed prior to, immediately following, and 6 weeks after the discussion sessions. Greater prejudice reduction and more positive interpersonal perceptions were expected when Blacks and Whites exchanged similar as opposed to dissimilar beliefs. Perceptions of fellow group members, obtained immediately following each session, varied predictably as a function of agreement and disagreement conditions. Overall prejudice reduction, however, was indicated across all interracial contact groups, suggesting that belief congruity was not necessary.

Televised portrayals of Hispanics:: A comparison of ethnic perceptions

Recent research has begun to recognize the role that mass media plays in acculturation. Equally important, however, may be the media's ability to influence the host society's perception of ethnic group members. Misperceptions by either group may inhibit or halt the acculturation and assimilation processes. As a first step to determine the degree of shared perceptions, the present study compared Hispanic, black, and Anglo respondents' beliefs about the adequacy of minority character portrayals on television programs and commercials. Additional analyses explored the impact of demographic and media use variables on these perceptions. The results indicate that there are significant differences in perceptions between ethnic viewers and Anglos. Minority group members were more likely to believe that there are too few minorities on TV. No significant differences, however, were found in the perceived fairness of ethnic portrayals. Among Anglo respondents, heavy TV viewing was associated with a greater belief that television portrayed Hispanics fairly, while among Hispanic respondents the opposite was true. Total amount of television viewing among blacks was positively correlated with the belief that there are too few blacks on television. These results have important theoretical implications for the way the media may effect acculturation and assimilation. Implications for advertising and programming practitioners are also discussed.

Effects of Perceived Group Effectiveness and Group Role on Attributions of Group Performance1

Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy completed a questionnaire describing their experiences in Cadet Basic Training (CBT) and Cadet Field Training (CFT). Analyses of variance examined the impact of Group Role (Leader vs. Follower) and Perceived Group Effectiveness (High vs. Low) on group member perceptions of the extent to which each of six factors affected group performance. Significant main effects for Perceived Effectiveness were interpreted in terms of the egodefensive bias. Role main effects indicated that leaders tended to make stronger dispositional attributions than did followers. There were no signifcant Group Role × Perceived Effectiveness interaction effects. Findings support, in part, hypotheses concerning the operation of an attributional bias within the leader‐member relationship.

Effects of selection agent and leader origin on leader influence and group member perceptions

The effects of the expertise of the agent of leader selection (expert vs nonexpert) and leader origin (internal promotion vs external appointment) on leader effectiveness were examined in a laboratory setting. Results showed that leaders chosen by a competent agent of selection were themselves seen as having greater task expertise and were better able to influence the decisions of group members than were leaders selected by a less competent agent. The origin of the leader had no effect upon either perceptions of the leader or the leader's influence. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for leader selection in organizations and the importance of analyzing extra-dyadic factors which influence leader—subordinate relations.

Leader sex, follower attitudes toward women, and leadership effectiveness: A laboratory experiment

A laboratory experiment involving 288 first-year West Point cadets assigned to 72 4-person groups examined the impact of leader sex roles and follower attitudes toward women on objective measures of group performance and group member perceptions. Performance was influenced by both a Leader Sex main effect and a Task Structure × Follower Attitudes interaction. Post-task questionnaire measures of leader behavior, morale, and attributions about the causes of leader and group performance yielded a large number of significant effects. Results were interpreted in terms of four major issues: the importance of sex roles as a leadership variable, sex bias in attributions, construct validity of the Attitude toward Women Scale, and the importance of task variables as a determinant of group process and member perceptions.

Effects of information heterogeneity and representational roles on group member behavior and perceptions.

Effects of information heterogeneity and representational roles on group member behavior and perceptions.

Effects of information heterogeneity and representational roles on group member behavior and perceptions.

Effects of information heterogeneity and representational roles on group member behavior and perceptions.

Studies in the Perception of Ethnic Group Members: II. Attractiveness, Response Bias, and Anti-Semitism

Studies in the Perception of Ethnic Group Members: II. Attractiveness, Response Bias, and Anti-Semitism

Studies in the perception of ethnic group members. I. Accuracy, response bias, and anti-semitism.

Studies in the perception of ethnic group members. I. Accuracy, response bias, and anti-semitism.