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Reinforcement of Cohesiveness in Group TherapyBehavioral and Personality Changes
Robert Liberman, MD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1971;25(2):168-177.
Abstract
Two matched therapy groups were studied for nine months in terms of process and outcome. In the "experimental" group, the therapist was trained to use techniques of social reinforcement to facilitate the development of intermember cohesiveness—also termed intimacy, solidarity, or affection. In the comparison group, the therapist, who was matched by personality with the "experimental" therapist, used a more conventional, intuitive, groupcentered approach in dealing with the group. Results indicate that the patients in the "experimental" group showed significantly more cohesiveness, greater personality change in predicted directions, and earlier symptomatic improvement than those in the "comparison" group. The potency of the therapist in shaping and modifying group dynamic behaviors is established by the data for both groups. The findings support the utility of a reinforcement or learning approach to the understanding and practice of group therapy.
Author Affiliations
Boston
From the Research Training Program in Social Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston. Dr. Liberman is currently at the Laboratory for Behavior Modification, Center for the Study of Behavioral Disorders, Department of Mental Hygiene, Camarillo State Hospital, Camarillo, Calif.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 31, 1970.
Read before the annual convention of the American Psychiatric Association, Miami Beach, Fla, May 9, 1969.
Reprint requests to Laboratory for Behavior Modification, Camarillo State Hospital, Camarillo, Calif 93010.
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ABSTRACT
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