Clinical observations on group composition tested by simulated groups in the laboratory

Examined the effect of the presence of a model (our confederate) on the subsequent success or failure of Ss in 3-person groups to effect a plan of behavioral change with regard to assertion deficits. For half the groups, the model expressed warmth, for half the absence of warmth (coldness). For half of each of these she was successful in effecting her change plan; for half she was not successful. Ss clearly distinguished warm from cold models, but only marginally differentiated successful from failure models. Warmth in the person of the model was found to be a significant determinant of S behavioral change. The results and enthusiastic S participation suggest that this paradigm deserves further study.