METHODS FOR RESEARCH ON INTERACTION IN GROUPS

Abstract : An evaluation was made of the methodology involved in studying group phenomena. Four approaches are discussed: the individual clinical, the sociological, the force field, and the interactionist. Bion's concepts of work, dependency, pairing, and fight-flight (Intern. J. Psycho-analysis vol. 33, pt. 2, 1952) and his valence concept were adopted for this study. Three basic techniques were developed which utilized these concepts. They are statement behavior in the group; sentence completion tests for assessing each member's valencies toward the various cultures; and a Q-sort for describing the compositions of the group and the character of the phenomenological subgroups. The discussion covers data collecting, rating of work, rating of emotionality, and graphic reperesentation. A method for unitizing group interaction is presented and validated. Data for interpretation of dynamics during a meeting are summarized. Methods of predicting individual behavior are described.