Human Relations Training and Interracial Social Action: Problems in Self and Client Definition

This paper reviews the efforts of a group of human relations trainers, varying widely in experience, who volunteered to help conduct a training conference for civil rights workers and volunteers. The experience, described as ineffective, is shared as a model of pitfalls which could be characteristic of training with groups committed to social action where the training function is less clearly defined than in "conventional" training laboratories. The author concludes that laboratory training techniques and values do have relevance for complex social action programs but that a high degree of competence and experience is required, plus readiness on the part of the client. He suggests that effective and ineffective ventures need to be monitored more accurately and observations shared as a way to build more stable and reliable guides to effective social intervention.