Arnold - GROUPS Flashcards
How are functional group roles different from positional group roles?
they are r/t type of member contributions needed to achieve group goals
= task functions + maintenance functions
What are task functions?
What are maintenance functions?
Is a balance between these important? How so?
See box 12-1 p. 228 Behaviors members use to move toward goal achievement: - initiating - Seeking info - Giving - Clarifying - Summarizing - Consensus making
Behaviors designed to ensure personal satisfaction; behaviors that help the group maintain harmonious working relationships:
- Harmonizing
- Gatekeeping
- Encouraging
- Compromising
- Setting standards
Balance inc group productivity - if task fx predominate, satisfaction declines. When maintenance takes over, members have troubles reaching goals
Two basic assumptions that support the fx of group leadership?
1) Group leaders have sig influence on group process
2) Most problems in groups can be avoided or reworked productively if leader is aware of and responsive to the needs of individual group members, incl their own
Effective group leadership requires?
Adequate prep, professional leadership attitudes and behavior, responsible selection of members, use of a responsible scientific rationale for determining a specific group approach
- Commitment to group purpose, self-awareness of personal biases, interpersonal limitations, careful prep for the group and with group, open attitude toward group members
6 Nonfunctional self-roles? (table 12-2 p. 229)
Agressor Blocker Joker Avoider Self-confessor Recognition
Aggressor
Criticizes or blames others, personally attacks other members uses sarcasm and hostility in interactions
Blocker
Instantly rejects or argues an idea to death, cites tangential ideas and opinions, obstructs decision making
Joker
Disrupts work of the group by constantly joking and refusing to take group task seriously
Avoider
Whispers to others, daydreams, doodles, acts indifferent and passive
Self-confessor
Uses the group to express personal views and feelings unrelated to group task
Recognition
Seeks attention by excessive talking, seeker trying to gain leader’s favor, expressing extreme ideas, or demonstrating peculiar behavior
How do informal leaders emerge?
d/t force of personality, knowledge, excperience –> power given to members who best clarify needs of other group members
How is co-leadership advantageous and not?
Advantages: co-leaders can comlement and support each other; provide wider variety of responses, dual points of view, and feedback for one another
Dis: can have different theoretical orientations or are competitive
-need to first ensure compatibility and that you have the same understanding of group purpose
Key differences between individual and group communication?
- Group = more complex, each member brings own perspective
How many members do therapy and person growth groups have?
Minimum for therapy?
6-8 typically
Therapy groups should NOT have less than 5 (limits interaction, interaction can become more intense + uncomfortable)
Typical group size for support, education, and skills training groups?
Can have from 10-30
Ways to characterize membership?
Open or closed
Heterogeneous or homogenous
One group can have both ex: AA - has open meetings for everyone, closed for only alcoholics
Closed group expectations?
predefined selected membership with expectation or regular attendance for extended period of time (usually at least 12 sessions)
Open groups?
No defined membership
COme and go depending on their needs
Fluctuations in number of attendees
Homogenous groups?
Share common characteristics such as diagnosis
or personal attribute (gender or age)
ex: twelve-step programs for alcohol or drug addiction, eating-disorder groups, gender-specific consciousness raising groups
Heterogenous groups?
Rep a wider variety of human experience and problems
- Vary in age, gender, and psychodynamics
- Most psychotherapy and insight-oriented personal growth groups have this membership
Ex: education groups on inpatient units
Key considerations in choosing location and ensuring safe enviroenemtn include?
Privacy + freedom from interruptions
Comfortable seating in circle so all members can see facial expressions + able to respond to more than one member at a time
- Start + end on time (fosters trust + predicability)
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Typical frequency of groups?
Therapy - usually weekly
Support groups: reg intervals, weekly - monthly
Educational groups: predetermined number of sessions
Typically 60-90min sessions
Pre-group interview:
- Used to explain group goals + commitment, affirm client’s suitability for the group
Forming stage
Members come together to form a group
Members are strangers to each other
During the orientation phase, members learn about each other and develop trust; depend on the leader for orientation, direction, and relationship development
Find common threads in personal experiences
Learn about group goals and tasks – minimal work on the tasks
Basic need for acceptance
Clarity expectations of the leader and the members
Set up group expectations
Storming phase?
Rele of leader?
Group members move to a deeper level – “gloves come off” – conflict around interpersonal issues, power, and control issues
Communication can be controversial
Accept differences in perceptions as normal, growth producing
Use “test behaviors” around boundaries, communication styles and personal reactions
Phase is uncomfortable; disagreement with form, topics, goals; leader affirms genuine strengths in individual members, resolution of this phase is evidenced in the willingness of members to take stands on their personal preferences without being defensive, and to compromise.
–> can successfully develop group norms
Leader is the facilitator - facilitates accepting difference
Norming phase?
Role of leader?
Occurs after initial conflict is resolved in the storming phase.
Cohesiveness develops as standards evolve by members are accepted as operational norms. Individual goals align with group goals.
Group holds members accountable and challenge those who fail to adhere to expectations. Group norms make the group safe.
Leader encourages member contributions and emphasizes cooperation in recognizing each person’s talents related to group goals.
Performing phase?
Role of leader?
Members focus on problem solving, working together and participating in the growth and development of the group’s members.
Loyalty to group and individual members, comfortable taking risks, invested enough in each other and the group process to offer constructive comments, feelings affirmed and respected.
Members are able to work through issues in ways that are acceptable to the individual and the group.
Monopolizing can occur
Effective leaders trust group members to develop their own solutions but bring attention to and reign in group dynamics when needed
What is monopolizing?
How should a leader respond to this behavior?
performance stage can get bogged down when one person monopolizes the conversation.
Monopolizing is a negative form of power communication used to advance a personal agenda without considering the needs of others.
Leader should address the behavior NOT the motivation.
Ask “does anyone else feel this way?”, “I appreciate your thoughts but I think it’s important to hear form other people as well”
Performing phase
Role of leader in this?
Occurs when the group members have achieved desired outcomes.
Reviewing on what has been accomplished, reflecting on the meaning of the groups work together, and making plans to move on in different directions.
Leader closes the group with a summary of goal achievement.
Adjourning phase?
Occurs when the group members have achieved desired outcomes.
Reviewing on what has been accomplished, reflecting on the meaning of the groups work together, and making plans to move on in different directions.
Leader closes the group with a summary of goal achievement.
Cohesion?
refers to the value a group holds for its members and their investment in being a part of the group. Cohesion describes emotional bonds among members for each other and underscores their commitment to the group. Occurs when the group demonstrates a sense of common purpose, caring, collaboration in problem solving, a sense of feeling personally values, and a team spirit