PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN MILITARY DEVIANCE.
Abstract
The study is the second in a planned program of research designed to make available tested methods of modifying basic training squads that will be useful in improving the performance of military personnel. The theoretical position underlying this work has been summarized in Blackman, Mandell, Goldstein, and Silberstein (1965). Briefly, small groups are conceptualized as consisting of members involved in patterns of reciprocated reinforcement. Insofar as one individual has reinforced another in the past, it is hypothesized that reciprocal reinforcement will be available to him from that individual in the future. The availability of this support helps ward off breakdown in the face of stress. Individuals for whom this support is not available are thus more likely to become incapacitated by stress than are individuals involved in reciprocal relationships. These isolated individuals have been chosen for study. It is posited that there are two dimensions along which such isolation may take place: instrumental (having to do with work relationships), and effective (having to do with emotional relationships). The present study tests the hypothesis that poor performance may be predicted from isolation. A further aim of the present study is to develop techniques for modifying the isolation of squad members to improve performance. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0629630
Entities
People
- Donald J. Collins
- Kenneth M. Goldstein
- Sheldon Blackman
- Wallace Mandell