PUB DATE [71]

This study investigated the basic question of whether there is actually measurable change in personality characteristics occurring during or subsequent to the encounter group experience. The study examined instruments which may prove useful in the detection of change in an objective and quantifiable mode which can be subjected to statistical analysis. The subjects were undergraduate students who requested an encounter group experience. Three personality measurement instruments were administered to each of the subjects at the group's first, fourth, and eighth meetings. The results were inconsistent, but indicated that self-ratings of individuals do change over time when rated on a semantic differential scale. Proponents of the encounter group experience state that this experience is capable of changing the way a person orients himself toward others. The results of the two groups in this study indicated the general stability of interpersonal orientations. The authors concluded by suggesting possible directions of future research. (Author/B