The effects of structured and unstructured leader roles on internal and external group participants

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of structured and unstructured leader roles on measures of outcome for Ss who differed on the pretest dimension "locus of control." On the basis of their pretest locus of control scores, Ss were assigned to a structured or an unstructured marathon group. The treatment in the two 16-hour -arathons consisted of a defined series of exercises; the only difference between the two groups was the degree of leader control over member participation. As predicted, internal Ss in the unstructured group rated the leader and the group more psoitively than did external Ss, while the reverse responsivity occured in the structured group. Significant Locus of Control X Treatment interactions indicated that internal and external Ss reflected differential shifts in general anxiety, general depression, and locus of control as a function of treatment. The relationship between changes in self-actualization and locus of control and changes in conflict-handling styles and negative affects differed as a function of locus of control and treatment condition. The overall results coupled with prior findings tentatively support the appropriateness of an unstructured leader role for internal scores and a structured leader role for external scorers.

Correlates of Effectiveness in Group Counseling

“…A higher number of therapeutic responses were made by low-trust members in a leader-centered condition and with high-trust members in a group-centered condition (Chatwin, 1972). Kilmann and Sotile (1976) found that group members who had an internal locus of control in unstructured groups rated the leader more positively, while external members rated the leaders of structured groups more highly. On the other hand, an earlier study by Kilmann (1974) found external members preferring a shared-leadership group, while internals showed no preference for either the shared-leadership or the leader-centered style.…”

Experiential learning, confidence and groups

“…Important to this research is this dual relationship. A to There is support in the literature that says participants in structured groups with a controlled monitor (strong leadership) reported feeling more comfortable and had greater increases in self-actualization than those in unstructured groups (Kilmann &Sotile 1976). However, experiential learning theory suggests just the opposite.…”