Previous research on sanze-sex interaction has documented competitive patterns for males, but not for females. By contrast, some studies characterize cross-sex interaction as competitive; other studies, as noncotnpetitive. To extend research on the processes of competition and dominance in same-and cross-sex interaction, the present study examines verbal interaction sequences that occurred during two brief psychotherapy groups conducted for the same set oj five married couples. All interaction sequences have been classified according to the Ericson-Rogers Relational Coding System, and patterns analyzed by means of a log-linear statistical procedure. For same-sex interaction, findings document more indiscriminant competition between males than between females. These results extend previous findings. For cross-sex interaction, a complex pattern of competition and dominance is observed. Although females compete with males under certain conditions, males do not compete with females. However, males apparently interrupt females freely, thus suggesting that males assume a dominant position. Females tend to "interrupt back," an indication that male dominance is not acceptable. However, females are also more submissive toward husbands than toward other males. The question remains whether these patterns are applicable to a more general population. We appreciate the computer programming assistance provided by Donald S. Rae, Division of Computer Systems, ADAMHA, and the technical assistance provided by Karen Sheehan in the preparation of this manuscript. Constructive comments by several anonymous reviewers have been most helpful.
The Group Atmosphere Scale (GAS) was developed to measure systematically the psychosocial environment of therapy groups. Twelve content subscales, each containing 10 true-false items, assess the consensual psychosocial environment. Several of these serve as indicators of group cohesion and conformity. GAS analyses are based upon data from 149 members of 17 therapy groups. The GAS differentiates among three modalities of therapy: academic counseling, long-term psychotherapy, and short-term intervention. Within each treatment modality, the GAS distinguishes among different therapy groups. Since identical dimensions have been used to measure psychiatric ward and classroom atmospheres, the GAS makes feasible a comparison of psychosocial environment for diversified milieus.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.