Adverse and Growthful Effects of Experiential Learning Groups: The Role of the Trainer, Participant, and Group Characteristics

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of experiential learning groups associated with adverse and growthful effects. Data were collected on trainer behavior/personality, participant personality/conditions of participation, and group process characteristics, and these were linked to two generic outcome measures (i.e., other trainee perceptions and work colleague reports). It wasfound that both positive and negative effects of such groups are (a) strongly related to the trainer's behavior and personality, (b) unrelated to group process and structured variables (e.g., degree of confrontation, level of intimacy in the group, etc.), and (c) associated with trainees' personality predispositions in the short run but not in the long term. The implications of these findings are fully discussed.

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