Paul D. Nelson

MEASUREMENT OF GROUP EFFECTIVENESS IN NATURAL ISOLATED GROUPS

Abstract : The systematic study of interpersonal relations and productivity in natural isolated groups requires measurement techniques which are practicable for administration in groups operating under variable or extreme environmental conditions. In the present study simple questionnaire scales designed to measure group cooperation and effectiveness demonstrated acceptable reliability and were shown to relate consistently to an independent criterion of group effectiveness. Significant changes in social relations and group accomplishment were recorded in several of the Antarctic groups studied.

Life Status and Interpersonal Values1

THE Survey of Interpersonal Yalues (SIV) is a forced-choice inventory purported to measure basic motivational patterns or values. Gordon (1960, p. 3) states that SIV “is designed to measure certain critical values involving the individual’s relationships to other people or their relationships to him. These values are important in the individual’s personal, social, marital and occupational adjustment.” Items for the SIV were selected through factor analysis, and triads of statements were assembled SO that each statement keyed on one of six scales which were labelled Support, Conformity, Recognition, Independence, Benevolence, and Leadership. Statements composing triads were equated for social desirability in order to reduce susceptibility to faking. Construction and definition of the scales are described in detail in the SIV hlanual (Gordon, 1960). Gordon (1963) has presented extensive normative data and summaries of several exploratory studies relating SIV scores to occupational effectiveness, levels of professional training, scholastic achievement, psychiatric status, and delinquent behavior as well as to cross-cultural and sex differences. While these results appear logical and informative, neither theoretical formulations nor ex-