Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
The effects of group dynamics on resident progress committee deliberations
Reed G Williams1, Cathy J Schwind, Gary L Dunnington
1Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9638, USA. rwilliams@siumed.edu
Background:
Prior investigations suggest that resident progress decisions by committee provide a broader perspective on performance and result in less grade inflation. There is countervailing concern that group dynamics may compromise quality of progress decisions.
Purpose:
To determine whether and how group dynamics compromise decision making about resident progress.
Methods:
Researchers recorded and analyzed participant comments during a resident progress committee meeting. End-of-rotation (EOR) evaluations were analyzed and compared to progress committee meeting results.
Results:
EOR and progress committee comments were similar in content. The ratio of specific to general comments was higher for EOR evaluations (5:1) than for progress committee meetings (2:1). EOR evaluation comments provided more supporting evidence for assertions. Individual progress committee participants did not dominate discussion or sway decision making. Participant progress committee meeting comments were consistent with their EOR comments failing to support the presence of progress committee meeting "feeding frenzies."
Conclusions:
Results suggest that progress committee meeting group dynamics do not seriously compromise the validity of resident progress decisions.
Related Concept Videos
Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Impact of Individuals on a Group
Groupthink
Impact of Groups on Groups
Impact of Groups on Individuals
Group Polarization