The experimenter, covert process and the laboratory group

This thesis explores the proposition that there is a more or less covert dimension to the structure and process of small laboratory groups that is related to their experimenter-observer. The way in which certain tendencies in the historical development of the small group concept have excluded consideration of this area of group life is discussed. A review of research on experimental artifact then highlights work that substantiates the existence of this covert extraneous experimenter influence. A further review of sociological and psycho-analytic group concepts reveals that it can be understood by identifying the experimenter and his laboratory group as a single system; and investigating the implications for the group of the experimenter's executive role in its constituent and then secondary process as a leader-figure, suggests that the laboratory group itself may be a unique instance of experimental artifact. [Continues.]