Beginning students in guidance and counseling comprised the two research groups: (1) a sensitivity-participatory group with activities ranging from T-grouping to sensory awareness to creative exercises; and (2) a didactic group in which the main focus was on instructor presentation of material relating to groups. The author sought to determine: (1) if movement toward self-actualization (as measured by Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) would occur as a result of a participatory group experience; and (2) if there would be between-group differences on pre- and post-group POI mean scores. Results indicated that, for the participatory group, all scales were either highly significant or in the direction of greater self-actualization at the conclusion of the group experience. Only on the Self-Actualizing Value scale did significance reach the required level where a between-group comparison was concerned. The discussion suggests why this is so. (TL)