Effects of physical contact in an encounter group context

120 male and 120 female undergraduates participated in brief encounter group experiences that varied the amount of physical contact in the structured exercises: (no-touch, moderate-touch, and high-touch). Ss were assigned to 4-person same- or opposite-sex groups for the structured activities. The study was a 2 * 2 * 3 analysis of variance design (sex, group composition, and touch). Analysis of the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance Scale, the semantic differential, and the Risk-Taking Behavior Questionnaire was consistent with behavioral data in showing the positive effects of increased physical contact. Group composition yielded parallel results, with heterosexually balanced groups reporting more favorable outcomes. (19 ref)