Encounter groups and attitude change

Abstract

Encounter groups have been described as "group therapy for normals", and are otherwise known as "sensitivity training groups" or "human relationship workshops". Increasing numbers are attending encounter groups in New Zealand since their introduction some eight to ten years ago, mirroring the trend in the United States, Britain and Australia. The basic questions "Who goes to encounter groups?", "Why do they go?", and "With what effect?" were posed and to answer these, findings of overseas research were discussed and predictions were made about changes in some attitudes of New Zealand participants. Objective measures of attitude change which had been used in a major overseas study were utilised, along with a locally-developed measure of alienation and a basic demographic questionnaire, to test these predictions. The 94 participants of 7 weekend encounter groups completed these questionnaires immediately before and at intervals after their group experience. The members of encounter groups were found to have diverse backgrounds and demographic characteristics, although some clear patterns emerged - for example, group membership was almost exclusively confined to people in the upper income brackets and the majority of group members had attended a previous encounter or similar intense group. The reasons for attendance fell into five distinct categories - a desire for personal growth, a recognition of interpersonal inadequacy, a desire for greater awareness and understanding of behaviour and feelings, curiosity and professional interest. Encounter groups were found to have small but significant positive effects on participants' self esteem and attitudes to themselves and some positive effects on neuroticism and alienation. These effects were, in the main, sustained over some months. A composite measure of gain was devised, comprising three correlated measures, and an attempt was made to predict likely gain in terms of participants' demographic characteristics, previous encounter group experience, reasons for attendance and expectations of the group. No significant relationships were found. However, a significant relationship was found between group leadership and gain, and this was thought to be attributable to differences in training, experience and number of leaders. The group members' attitudes to encounter groups were found to become significantly more favourable immediately after participation in the groups, and this positive change faded slowly. However, the respondents continued to report favourable effects on their behaviour and feelings, which they attributed to encounter group participation, for up to six months after their encounter group experience. Three major conclusions were drawn from the study. First, that participation in weekend encounter groups generally results in a modest, positive gain in attitude to the self. Second, that this gain is usually perceived subjectively as much greater than objective tests would suggest, and attitudes to encounter groups become more positive in consequence. And third, that this gain does not appear to be related to personal (demographic) characteristics of the respondents, nor to their previous encounter group experience or their expectations of the group, but is related to some characteristics of the group leaders.