Group Dynamics: Call for Papers

Group Dynamics:

Theory, Research, and Practice

Call for Papers

Group Dynamics seeks to revitalize the link between the scientific study of group dynamics and the application of that scientific understanding in applied settings--particularly those settings with a therapeutic purpose. The journal therefore publishes work dealing with any topic that extends our knowledge of groups, with most articles falling into one of three categories:

  • social psychological processes operating in groups, including affiliation, communication, decision-making, group socialization, intergroup relations, structure, and so on
  • groups in organizational contexts, including management and leadership, productivity, organizational stress and health, organizational development, team building, and team composition
  • groups as mechanisms for achieving and sustaining psychological and physical well-being, including traditional forms of group psychotherapy, mutual-support groups, groups that provide individuals with social support, family dynamics, and interpersonal learning groups.

The journal therefore seeks articles that examine groups in a range of contexts, including ad hoc groups in experimental settings, therapy groups, naturally forming friendship groups and cliques, organizational units, self-help groups, and learning groups.

Types of Manuscripts

The journal primarily publishes empirical analyses, but it welcomes outstanding theoretical analyses, literature reviews, practice papers, and case reports. Manuscripts, in addition to satisfying the usual criteria for solid scientific research, must extend our understanding of groups beyond our current level of knowledge. The work's conceptual contributions must be expressly identified by authors, who should also address the wider implications of their findings beyond the contexts they study. When possible, manuscripts dealing with applied topics will be critiqued by a basic researcher and basic research studies will be reviewed by a practitioner. The journal also publishes brief reports, including commentaries, case studies, reports of therapeutic innovations that do not include empirical data pertaining to their effectiveness, and items of particular interest to members of Division 49.

Manuscript Submissions

Authors should prepare their manuscripts by following the guidelines stated in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (4th ed.). Authors should submit their papers via email by attaching the document to an email sent to Dennis M. Kivlighan, Jr. at KivlighanD@missouri.edu (See http://www.vcu.edu/hasweb/group/gd.html for details). Alternatively, four copies of the manuscript should be sent to
Dennis M. Kivlighan, Jr. Editor-elect
Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice
Educational and Counseling Psychology
16 Hill Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

Phone and voice mail: (573) 882- 5097.

Email: kivlighand@missouri.edu

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