Abilene Paradox. Vignettes from a variety of situations illustrate how well-intentioned but misguided consensus agreements can steer an organization into activity that directly contradicts individual desires and defeats group purpose. Shows how three key psychological principles -- action anxiety, negative fantasies, and fear of ostracization -- contribute to faulty group collusion, and demonstrates how to overcome these obstacles to reach successful and productive group decisions. (1984, 27 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center St., 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

The Anatomy of a Group. This film discusses the characteristics of a group and identifies a group as a collection of individuals with a common purpose, a participation pattern, a communication system, a well-developed social climate, mutually adopted standards, an organizational structure, and prescribed procedures to be followed in their relations. (1963, 30 min.) Audio-Visual Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47495-5901.

An Essay on War. The film presents, pictorially and verbally, an in-depth portrayal of the psychology of war. Explores the puzzle of war: why we wage it, how we justify it, and how we are affected as nations and individuals. (1971, 23 min.) Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin -Extension, PO Box 2093, Madison, WI 53701-2093.

Gangs: The Consequences of Conformity. Explains elements that combine to form a group of any kind. Shows how a group often demands conformity and allegiance of members. Encourages observation and individual decisions about group participation. (1977, 16 min.) Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin?Extension, PO Box 2093, Madison, WI 53701-2093.

Groups and Group Dynamics. This program describes different categories of groups and explains how they function, how they differ from other social entities, and how group membership is determined. It then looks at intra-group relationships, examining conformity and individualism. Finally, the interaction between groups is investigated. (1991, 30 min.) Available from Insight Media (800-233-9910).

Group Dynamics: “Groupthink”. This film illustrates eight symptoms of “groupthink”: the illusion of invulnerability, shared stereotypes of the enemy, rationalization, the illusion of morality, self-censorship, the illusion of unanimity, direct pressure on the deviant member, and mindguarding--a device that protects the group from dissenting opinions. Includes examples from various organizations and decision-making processes that influence important events. Commentary by Drs. Irving Janis and David Kanouse. (1984, 22 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center St., 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Group Dynamics in the Electronic Environment. This video examines group dynamics in cyber-communication. (1996, 30 min.) Available from Insight Media (800-233-9910).

Group Productivity. Vignettes illustrate the three basic phases of group development and the work and personal issues characteristic of each. Commentary emphasizes key techniques for moving successfully through each phase and developing strategies to achieve maximum group productivity. As a dramatized case study, the film follows a task force that is studying ways to improve organizational communication. (1984, 21 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center St., 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Interviews with My Lai Veterans. Chilling documentary on the dehumanizing effects of the Vietnam War on American soldiers. Five My Lai veterans who participated in the massacre of Vietnamese civilians tell in detail what they did, how they felt while doing it, and how they feel about it now. Academy Award. (1970, 22 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center St., 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Leadership: Style or Circumstance? Examines the concept and role of leadership in organizations, distinguishing between the relationship-oriented and the task-oriented leader. The first tends to organize work along democratic lines, giving employees a major voice in decision-making; the second tends to be more directive and forceful, relying heavily on personal judgment and expecting obedience from staff. Shows through interviews with presidents of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain and the Deluxe General film lab that the effectiveness of each style of leadership depends on the specific situation, and suggests ways of developing leaders and ensuring their effectiveness and longevity once on the job. (1975, 31 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center St., 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Postwar Hopes, Cold War Fears. This feature explores the issue of conformity and the Cold War fears that dominated America during the late 1940s and well into the 1950s. Looks at how an economically strong and optimistic America came to distrust anyone who was “different” -- artists were blacklisted, professors and certain intellectuals ostracized. Discusses how the McCarthy era was one of the first instances where mass merchandising brought the American public to near hysteria. (1984, 55 min.) Audio-Visual Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47495-5901.

Resolving Conflicts. Realistic vignettes illustrate two basic approaches to conflict resolution, showing how and when to use each method to achieve effective and positive results. Applicable to a wide variety of organizations. (1982, 22 min.) University of California Extension, Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center St., 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Prisoner's Dilemma. This site allows students to play the prisoner's dilemma online. You can visit the site at: http://seredip.brynmawr.edu/playground/pd.html.

Peace Agreements. The United States Institute of Peace was established by the federal government to promote peaceful resolutions of international conflicts. The site includes an archive that contains every international peace agreement signed since 1989. You can visit the sight at: http://www.usip.org/library/pa.html.

Conflict & Cooperation (Version 2.0). Expanding on the classic prisoners dilemma framework, this software allows students to author and then play out a wide variety of interactive decision-making scenarios constructed to represent political, business, or social situations in which participants vie for resources. Instruction booklet included. On-line help available. Although the kit may be more appropriate for use in the context of Ch. 11, it can be used here as an extension of a discussion of the prisoner’s dilemma. (Windows) Available from Wisc Ware, Academic Computing Center, University of Wisconsin, 1210 W. Dayton St., Madison, WI 53706.

A Cooperative-Competitive Game. Students of social psychology, gaming, bargaining, and conflict resolution have observed a general tendency for people to compete even when they could do much better by cooperating. This program, based on work by Deutch and Krauss, puts each player in charge of a trucking company that transports goods to certain destinations via various routes, one of which is a one-way road. Players earn points depending on their time to reach a destination which is, in turn, determined by an optimal combination of private versus cooperative strategies. Instruction booklet included. (MacIntosh & DOS) Educational Psychology Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, AL T2N 1N4.