Preliminary evaluation of psychologists in encounter groups

Conducted 2 studies of 257 psychologists (.8% of all listings) identifying themselves as "encounterists" in the American Psychological Association's 1970 Directory and 315 undergraduates to examine the prevalence and nature of encounter groups. Results indicate that (a) 18% of the encounterists were female and 82% were male; (b) encounterists were younger and had received their highest degrees more recently than the control group not expressing interest in encounter groups; (c) encounterists tended to have obtained an EdD rather than PhD as the highest degree more often than the control group; (d) students indicated fairly wide experience with, and a generally favorable attitude toward, encounter groups; (e) a substantial minority reported having experienced adverse reactions themselves and nearly 40% had observed such reactions in others; and (f) few students had been in encounter groups led by psychologists, although sponsorship was diverse. It is concluded that professional issues in encounter group activity merit continuing evaluation but would not seem to be a cause for continuing concern. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).