Issues in Group Dynamics

1. Issues in Group Dynamics Megan O’Connell moconnel@uvic.ca

2. Group Development Forming Stage • Safe, patterned behaviour • Orientation to task & others • To grow • Become comfortable with more threatening topics • Become comfortable with conflict

3. Group Development Storming Stage • Competition & conflict • Delegation of tasks • To grow • Move from testing & proving mentality to problem-solving mentality

4. Group Development Norming Stage • Acknowledge contributions • Free flow of ideas • Sense of group belonging

5. Group Development Performing Stage • Not reached by all groups • Equal facilitation • Interdependent interpersonal rel. • Need for group approval is past • Highly task oriented & highly people oriented

6. Group Development Adjourning Stage • Termination • Disengagement • Say goodbyes

7. Accelerating Group Development Group facilitator • Draw groups’ attention to the group processes and suggest ways to enhance group skills • Ideal that facilitation is performed by all group members

8. Group Skills • The group must acquire • Managerial skills • Interpersonal skills

9. Effective Groups • Focus on the task • Have a clear understanding of task • All members contribute • Decisions are written down • Feedback is task focussed • Failures are explored • Deadlock is debated ? by opposite groups • Sign posting = reminding of larger task • Avoid single solutions (or first solutions) • Active communication

10. Group Problem # 1 • Lack of Interaction • You are the TA for a group project & your group is not interacting • 1) think of 2 possible reasons why • 2) come up with 2 possible solutions for each reason

11. Lack of Interaction Cause • TA authority is overwhelming Solution • Talk less • Point out your own interactional mistakes • No personal comments • No wide-sweeping praise or put-downs

12. Lack of Interaction Cause • ? Inexperienced at group work Solution • Educate about how to interact • Simple exercise requiring disagreement • Encourage feedback on interactions

13. Lack of Interaction Cause • Physical arrangement Solution • Sitting facing each other • Group size must be small ? 6 or fewer group members

14. Group Problem # 2 • Unequal Participation • You are the TA for a group project & you notice very unequal participation • 1) think of 2 possible reasons why • 2) come up with 2 possible solutions for each reason

15. Unequal Participation Cause • Intolerance of silence Solution • Explain positive role of silence • Demonstrate an acceptance of silence

16. Unequal Participation Cause • Student is quiet Solution • Talk with this student alone • Discuss how their contribution will help others & will be helpful to the learning of others • Ask them to keep a log of their # contributions and try to increase it each time

17. Unequal Participation Cause • Dominant speakers monopolize Solution • Talk with this student alone • Find out if they are aware of this problem • Find out why this person is talking so much • Ask them to self-monitor & keep a log of their # of contributions

18. Unequal Participation Cause • Intolerance of silence Solution • Explain positive role of silence • Demonstrate an acceptance of silence