ABSTRACT
Learning theorists have produced a very different model in which man appears to be a kind of telephone headquarters operated by a rather low-grade computer; which has to be fed and watered. What research on social interaction has done is to show how the model of man needs to be revised to take account of his social nature. On the treatment side, research is in progress to find out if training in social skills can help patients whose main problems appear to be in the area. There are three types of industrial problem to which interaction research is relevant - low job satisfaction, low output, and conflict between groups. The most important contribution has been the discovery of the styles of supervision and management which are most effective in different situations - and this can help with all three problems.
