The effects of cognitive pretraining on cohesion and self-disclosure in small groups: An analog study

Abstract

This study examined the effects of written, cognitive pretraining on the development of cohesion and self‐disclosure in interpersonal learning groups. Subjects in the experimental condition received a written introduction to the group experience, and subjects in the control condition received written information on the history of group psychotherapy. Results demonstrated that the experimental groups had a higher level of group cohesion than the control groups, p < 0.0001, but were not different on self‐disclosure. The correlation between cohesion and self‐disclosure was not statistically significant. The results were discussed as an extension of the empirical support for cognitive pretraining.

Jury Decision Making: Using Group Theory to Improve Deliberation

“…Although the underlying discussion concerns the participation in group psychotherapy, Santarsiero and others (1995) interpret current empirical evidence that is relevant to any discussion of group decision making. Expectations by the members of the group with regard to behavior (one among several issues) “help to forge tighter bonds (cohesion) among group members” (404).…”

Die Therapie-Vorbereitungsgruppe

“…Couch 1995;Kaul u. Bednar 1994;Piper et al 1979;Piper u. Perrault 1989;Santarsiero et al 1995;Yalom 1995). Grob lassen sich Verfahren mit kognitivem Schwerpunkt und Verfahren mit erlebnisorientiertem Vorgehen unterscheiden (vgl.…”

“…Grob lassen sich Verfahren mit kognitivem Schwerpunkt und Verfahren mit erlebnisorientiertem Vorgehen unterscheiden (vgl. Piper u. Perrault 1989;Santarsiero et al 1995). Im Zentrum des kognitiv ausgerichteten Vortrainings steht die Weitergabe von Informationen über Inhalt und Ablauf der bevorstehenden Therapie.…”

Pretraining in Group Process Skills: Impact on Anger and Anxiety in Combat Veterans

“…addressed behaviors ranging from positive interpersonal group behavior, such as self-disclosure and cohesion (Palmer, Baker, & McGee, 1997;Santarsiero, Baker, & McGee, 1995) to affective domains, such as anxiety and neuroticism (Sklare, Petrosko, & Howell, 1993;Zarle & Willis, 1975). Despite the general positive endorsement for attending to interpersonal processes in group psychotherapy, research on the benefits of pretraining of interpersonal process skills remains controversial (Piper & Perrault, 1989).…”

“…Although the positive impact of pretraining on process variables, such as interpersonal openness, patient participation, patient selfexploratory behavior, working alliance, cohesion, and self-disclosure (Palmer et al, 1997;Piper & Perrault, 1989;Santarsiero et al, 1995) has been noted, conclusions related to the efficacy of such training are mixed. To date, support for effects of pretrained skills generalizing to important, nontrained outcome variables is also unimpressive.…”