Group Dynamics

1. Group Dynamics Group Processes Chapter 2 Somaya Malkawi, PhD

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

3. Examples of Process Comments • 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 influences opinions others have of you (trust, respect, like/dislike) • Here is how your behavior influences your opinion of yourself • Are you happy with yourself? What changes would you like to make?

4. Resistance to Processing • Socialization anxiety – Reminder of parental criticism • Social norms – Not polite • 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

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

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

7. ROLES • Roles are social positions • “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)

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

9. The Function of Group Roles 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 People adjust to their role according to the roles others adopt

10. Problems 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 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

11. INTRA-GROUP RELATIONSHIPS • Socio metric structure or sociogram • 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 • They give good indications of alliances, sub-groups and the emotional position

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

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

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