Leadership for the Nineties: Development of Training and Research Instruments
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that small-unit cohesion bears a strong positive relationship to small-unit combat performance and resistance to combat stress. Similarly, personnel turbulence, which negatively affects small-unit integrity and leader-led stability, has been shown to erode cohesion, resulting in a reduction of soldier performance. This report integrates historical and recent research literature to document the relationship among cohesion, performance, and personnel turbulence and to investigate the effect of leadership training and division-level policies concerning soldier assimilation and integration on cohesion in a newly activated COHORT battalion. Survey instruments administered to members of both COHORT and non-COHORT battalions confirmed the three-dimensional factor structure of cohesion cited by previous researchers: horizontal, vertical, and organizational bonding. Analyses of the data at both individual and squad levels indicate that cohesion is significantly and consistently correlated with psychological readiness (for combat), a construct also measured by the survey. (EMK)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA227949
Entities
People
- Hope C. Tarr
- Lawrence R. Boice
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences