Socialization Dynamics and Member Participation in T-Groups: A Systematic Review and Integrative Conceptual Model

This review of 45 empirical and conceptual articles investigates the influence of socialization processes on the participation of members in T-groups and sensitivity training groups. The review is based on PRISMA 2020 standards that enables synthesis of evidence based on organizational, therapeutic, and educational settings to define the divided definitions of the concept of socialization and determine the processes through which participation develops. The review addresses three research questions: (1) How is socialization conceptualized across T-group traditions? (2) Through what mechanisms does socialization influence member participation? (3) What contextual moderators shape this relationship? Results indicate that early norm communication, clarity of expectations and role negotiation affects the formation of trust, psychological safety, identity formation, and shared norms that subsequently lead to behavioral, cognitive and emotional involvement. These pathways are moderated by facilitator behavior, cultural context and group design and hence the significance of structural and relational conditions influencing learning outcomes. The review suggests an integrative model of association of antecedents, mediators, and moderators on participation paths and presents a research agenda in the future aimed at longitudinal, cross-cultural, and digital-group studies