Group Dynamics Group Processes Chapter 2 Somaya Malkawi, PhD

Definitions Group dynamics: the study of the processes concerning the nature of groups, how they develop and how they work Group dynamics: the study of the processes concerning the nature of groups, how they develop and how they work Content – Explicit words, topics, activities Content – Explicit words, topics, activities Process – Understanding the nature of relationships between individuals while interacting with each other Process – Understanding the nature of relationships between individuals while interacting with each other

Examples of Process Comments Here is what your behavior is like (feedback, observation) Here is what your behavior is like (feedback, observation) Here is how your behavior makes others feel (impact of behavior towards others) Here is how your behavior makes others feel (impact of behavior towards others) Here is how your behavior influences opinions others have of you (trust, respect, like/dislike) Here is how your behavior influences opinions others have of you (trust, respect, like/dislike) Here is how your behavior influences your opinion of yourself Here is how your behavior influences your opinion of yourself Are you happy with yourself? What changes would you like to make? Are you happy with yourself? What changes would you like to make?

Resistance to Processing Socialization anxiety – Reminder of parental criticism Socialization anxiety – Reminder of parental criticism Social norms – Not polite Social norms – Not polite Fears of retaliation – Commenting on behaviors of others invites inspection of one’s own flaws and imperfections Fears of retaliation – Commenting on behaviors of others invites inspection of one’s own flaws and imperfections Power maintenance – Discussion of process tends to equalize Power maintenance – Discussion of process tends to equalize

Techniques for Uncovering Group Process Note non-verbal behaviors (i.e., changes in posture, facial expression) Note non-verbal behaviors (i.e., changes in posture, facial expression) Note significant words used Note significant words used Review patterns of behavior Review patterns of behavior Be a group historian, note patterns Be a group historian, note patterns Remind group of original goals, connect with current interactions Remind group of original goals, connect with current interactions Note discrepancies/incongruities Note discrepancies/incongruities Review group tensions Review group tensions Listen for what is omitted, not stated Listen for what is omitted, not stated Ask clients to answer process questions Ask clients to answer process questions

ROLES people play in groups ROLES people play in groups RELATIONSHIPS between members RELATIONSHIPS between members INTERACTION INTERACTION Non-VERBAL COMMUNICATION Non-VERBAL COMMUNICATION DECISION MAKING DECISION MAKING

ROLES Roles are social positions Roles are social positions “Behavioral enacting of the patterned expectations attributed to a stated position” “Behavioral enacting of the patterned expectations attributed to a stated position” Can be formal (head of department, student, volunteer, patient) or informal (leader, follower, clown, scapegoat, know-it-all, critic) Can be formal (head of department, student, volunteer, patient) or informal (leader, follower, clown, scapegoat, know-it-all, critic)

ROLES Group roles sheet* Group roles sheet* Group Task Roles: Group Task Roles: Function is to facilitate group effort Function is to facilitate group effort Group Building and Maintenance Roles: Group Building and Maintenance Roles: Function is to build group centered activities and feelings Function is to build group centered activities and feelings Individual Roles Individual Roles Satisfy own individual need which are irrelevant to the group task Satisfy own individual need which are irrelevant to the group task

The Function of Group Roles Members take variety of roles depending on the contributions they make to the group Members take variety of roles depending on the contributions they make to the group Group roles can be fixed or fluid depending on the purpose of the group and the events of the moment Group roles can be fixed or fluid depending on the purpose of the group and the events of the moment People adjust to their role according to the roles others adopt People adjust to their role according to the roles others adopt

Problems with Group Roles Problems that can arise with group roles: Problems that can arise with group roles: Role lock: individual is stuck in a fixed role and stereotyped behavior (Read box on page 24) Role lock: individual is stuck in a fixed role and stereotyped behavior (Read box on page 24) Role status: adopt high status roles and force others into subservient roles – reduce cohesion Role status: adopt high status roles and force others into subservient roles – reduce cohesion Role conflict: member forces to adopt a role that is disagreeable to them Role conflict: member forces to adopt a role that is disagreeable to them

INTRA-GROUP RELATIONSHIPS Socio metric structure or sociogram Socio metric structure or sociogram Asking group members to chose or reject other members according to a criterion (e.g most liked, working together) Asking group members to chose or reject other members according to a criterion (e.g most liked, working together) Sociograms are limited in understanding relationships Sociograms are limited in understanding relationships They give good indications of alliances, sub- groups and the emotional position They give good indications of alliances, sub- groups and the emotional position

SUB-GROUPS Seen in collaboration sociogram Seen in collaboration sociogram Having diverse sections of group life enriches the group Having diverse sections of group life enriches the group Source of strength and support for quieter members Source of strength and support for quieter members Stepping stone for new members who need slower introduction to the group Stepping stone for new members who need slower introduction to the group Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Competing cliques and Polarized views Competing cliques and Polarized views

TRIADS Special type of subgroup Special type of subgroup Interaction and relationshop between three people Interaction and relationshop between three people Tirad configurations (fig. 2-4) Tirad configurations (fig. 2-4)

Interaction Task Vs social group Task Vs social group Table 2.1 Table 2.1 Verbal interaction Patterns of communication Patterns of communication The hierarchy The hierarchy The circle The circle The clique The clique Non-Verbal interaction table 2.2