The Effects of Specific Cognitive Structure on Early Group Development

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of three pregroup cognitively mediated messages on early group development. The different messages focused on (a) goal clarity, (b) behavioral instructions, and (c) persuasive explanations. After receiving different combinations of these content messages, all subjects participated in an experiential workshop on interpersonal relationships. The study employed a randomized design with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Analyses of variance and co-variance procedures revealed that specific behavioral instructions were associated with higher levels of group cohesion, more favorable attitudes toward group experiences, higher frequencies of work-oriented interpersonal communications, and lower frequencies of conventional and socially appropriate communications.