Some ethical dilemmas in sensitivity training, encounter groups and related activities

Some ethical dilemmas in connection with sensitivity training, encounter groups and related activities are discussed. We distinguished between pre-group, in-group and post-group dilemmas. Pre-group dilemmas consisted of competence of leader, screening of participants, contract, voluntary participation, conflicting roles, organization of group work and conducting of research. In-group dilemmas were optimum level of awareness, leadership style and personality, image of man, issue of "casualties", confidentiality and freedom to make errors. Post-group dilemmas included "re-entry" difficulties, repression of changing individuals and follow-up procedures. Conclusions were as follows: ( a ) There exist indeed a series of ethical dilemmas in conducting growth groups. ( b ) The good group leader must learn to live with this seemingly chronic ethical dissonance. ( c ) The one most significant ethical guideline is to establish the optimum level of awareness in the group. ( d ) There is a pressing need for more adequate research on such ethical dilemmas.