The Influence of Task Type and Designated Leaders on Developmental Patterns in Groups

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore developmental patterns in groups with and withoutformal leaders and with different tasks. Six groups operating within a group relations conference participated in the study. In general, the groups were found to be more alike than diferent in tenms of developmentalpatterms across or within sessions. Where differences did occur group duration, rather than task type orthe presence orabsence of designated leaders, seemed to accountfor those diferences.