OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ENCOUNTER GROUPS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05343A000200090019-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 14, 2000
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: May 3, 1974
• Content Type: LIST

Approved For Release 2000/09/08: CIA-RDP78-05343A000200090019-7.
MAY 1974
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ENCOUNTER GROUPS
I. "Encounter groups, like therapy groups, exist for the
purpose of transforming their members in some hoped-for ways."
From "Encounter Groups: First Facts"
A. The following is a quote from the BAB official des-
cription of the course -- "Primary goals of the laboratory
include working on establishing relationships, learning more
effective ways of communicating, discovering new self-aware-
ness, and increasing the understanding of forces which in-
fluence individual behavior."
B. The following quote is from a memo from D/OTS addressed
to the DCI -- "It was designed, through group interaction, to
enhance the case officer's operational skills by teaching him
more effective ways of communicating and increasing his under-
standing of the forces which influence human behavior, includ-
ing his own."
II. "Based on the number of individuals who experienced
benefit from the groups and on the comparison of the differ-
ent areas in participants and their controls, it was concluded
that overall encounter groups show a modest positive impact,
an impact much less than has been portrayed by their supporters
and an impact significantly lower than participants'view of
their own change would lead one to assume." From "Encounter
..._..~.ti... \,. ..1 .I J.
Approved For Release 2000/09/08 : CIA-RDP78-05343A000200090019-7
 Approved For Release 2000/09/08 : CIA-RDP78-05343A000200090019=7,-.-
Groups: First Facts"
III. Hazards of Encounter Groups in discussing casualties --
"What have we learned from our study of these unfortunate
individuals? Their existence and their number alarm us.
A casualty rate approaching 10 percent is alarming and un-
acceptable in an endeavor calculated to foster positive
growth." From "Encounter Groups: First Facts"
It should be noted that is concerned enough 25X1A
about "hazards" that his contract was written at his request
to relieve him of any,~personal responsibility for untoward
reactions in individuals who participated in the course.
I know of no other officer in this Agency and perhaps in
Federal Government who is likewise relieved of res onsibility
in such a manner. The hazard must be high for 25X1A
Why should it not be equally high for the Agency as t e
'Is
sponsor? Encounter groups have been described as an "ultimate
form of psychotherapy" -- so dangerous and exciting it has
been called "the interpersonal equivalent of sky diving."
Approved For Release 2000/09/08 : CIA-RDP78-05343A000200090019-7
 ADMINI S TRA T I V
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