A Comparison of Group-Centered and Individual-Centered Activity Programs

The Effect of Three Group Formats on Group Interaction Patterns

“…In parallel task groups, addition of a break for smoking and conversing resulted in significantly higher ratings on an instrument measuring social interaction, general behavior, and task performance than in the control group which had no such break (Olson & Sherman, 1961). In three studies comparing parallel task and project group formats with chronic schizophrenic patients, two of the studies showed significantly greater increases in social interaction with the project group format (Levine, Marks, & Hall, 1957;Werner, Maddigan, &Watson, 1969), while the other study showed no difference (Efron, Marks, & Hall, 1959). Comparing a project group and an activity-based verbal group with schizophrenic patients, there was no significant difference in amount of interaction during the activities, but there was a trend toward more verbalization in the discussion period after the project group than in the period after the activity-based verbal group (Odhner, 1970).…”

A Comparison of Three Treatment Group Formats for Facilitating Social Interaction

“…In discussing the group treatment of schizophrenics, Leopold (1976) suggests the use of interrelated groups that are graded and structured according to degree of patient pathology. Others have examined the relationship between the group structure and patient involvement (Fahl, comparison to a verbal group (Beal et al, 1977;Bell, 1970;Bobis, Harrison, & Traub, 1955;Mumford, 1974;Odhner, 1970), and the benefits of group versus individual occupational therapy treatment (Angel, 1981;Combs, 1959;Efron, Marks, & Hall, 1959;Kiernat, 1979;Levine, Marks, & Hall, 1957;Mallinson & Lawson, 1957;Springfield & Tullis, 1958;Werner, Maddigan, & Watson, 1969). To date, however, no one has examined what effect various occupational therapy group structures have on the quality and quantity of social interaction that occurs in such groups.…”

Effects of Project Versus Parallel Groups on Social Interaction and Affective Responses in Senior Citizens

“…Hyde, York, and Wood (1948) compared the effects of different group games on social responses in institutionalized psychiatric patients. Efron, Marks, and Hall (1959) compared group-centered activity (making lawn chairs for use on hospital grounds) with individual activity in terms of rated psychiatric improvement. It should be noted that these authors mistakenly labeled individual activityas "occupational therapy" and group projects as "industrial therapy.…”