CACREP AREA: Group Counseling and Group Work

Question 1

Prior to the 1960s most counseling took place in…?

Answer 1

In a dyadic relationship

**HINT: **Dyad = unit of two functioning as a pair – in this case, the counselor and the client form the pair

Question 2

A group has (what components)…?

Answer 2

1) A membership which can be defined
2) Some degree of unity and interaction
3) A shared purpose

Question 3

The term “group therapy” was coined in 1931 by who?

Answer 3

Jacob Moreno, the father of psychodrama

HINT: Psychodramatic techniques are appropriate for family therapy as well as group work

Question 4

Noted psychotherapy author and scholar Raymond Corsini once referred to the early 1940s as the “modern era” of group work.
In the 1940s the two organizations for group therapy were created and group work became a legitimate specialty.

The two groups are…?

Answer 4

1) American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP) spawned by the work of Jacob Moreno in 1942

2) American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) which resulted from the effort of Samuel Richard Slavson in 1943.

Question 5

Which theorists’ work has been classified as a preface to the group movement?

Answer 5

Alfred Adler and Jesse B. Davis.

HINT:
Davis is noted as a pioneer in school guidance counseling and America’s first school guidance counselor. His work result in the National Vocational Guidance Association (now today known as National Career Development Association)

Adler, who is known for his individual psychology, was engaged in group treatment at his child guidance facilities. He believed with group work, “Man’s problems and conflicts are recognized in their social nature”

Question 6

Primary groups are…?

Answer 6

Preventive and attempt to ward off problems

Question 7

A group is classified as secondary. This implies what?

Answer 7

A difficulty or disturbance is present

Question 8

When comparing a tertiary group with a primary or secondary group

Answer 8

The tertiary group is more likely to deal with severe pathology

Question 9

What is true of group norms and its purpose?

Answer 9

They govern acceptable behavior and group rules

Question 10

Group therapy initially flourished in the United States due to…?

Answer 10

A shortage of individual therapists during World War II

Question 11

Group content refers to material discussed in a group setting, whereas group process refers to…?

Answer 11

The manner in which discussions and transactions occur.

Question 12

Group cohesiveness refers to…?

Answer 12

Forces which tend to bind group members together

Question 13

Some theorists feel that group therapy differs from group counseling (which is also called an interpersonal problem-solving group), in that group therapy…?

Answer 13

Group therapy (also dubbed as a personality reconstruction group) would be of longer duration.

Question 14

Most experts would agree on what overall concerning structured exercises?

Answer 14

Structured exercises are less effective than unstructured techniques.

Question 15

One advantage of group work is that a counselor can see more clients in a given period of time.

One disadvantage is that a counselor can be too focused on group processes and…?

Answer 15

Individual issues are not properly examined.

Question 16

According to the risky shift phenomenon, a group decision will be…?

Answer 16

Less conservative than the average group member’s decision, prior to the group discussion.

Question 17

T-groups often stress ways employees can express themselves in an effective manner.

The “T” in T-groups stands for what?

Answer 17

Training

Question 18

A counselor suggests that her client join an assertiveness training group. Most assertiveness training groups are…?

Answer 18

Behavioristic and highly structured.

Question 19

Weight Watchers is what type of group?

Answer 19

A self-help or support group, as is AA (alcoholics anonymous)

Question 20

The ACA and the ASGW division recommend screening for potential group members for what types of groups?

Answer 20

For all groups

Question 21

A counselor is conducting a screening for clients who wish to participate in a counseling group which will meet Tuesday nights at his private practice office.

Which client would most likely be the poorest choice for a group member?

Answer 21

An extremely hostile and belligerent construction worker.

Question 22

A counselor is screening clients for a new group at the college counseling center.

Which client would most likely be the poorest choice for a group member?

Answer 22

A first-year student who is suicidal and sociopathic.

Question 23

A screening for group members can be done in a group or privately.

Although private screening interviews are not as cost effective or as time efficient as group screening, many group leaders feel that private screening sessions are superior in term of…?

Answer 23

In terms of counselor-client interaction.

Question 24

Most experts in the field of counseling would agree that the most important trait for group members is the ability to…?

Answer 24

To trust

Question 25

Groups can be open or closed. The two differ in that closed groups…?

Answer 25

Allow no new members after the group begins

Question 26

One major advantage of a closed group versus an open group is it…?

Answer 26

Promotes cohesiveness.

Question 27

One major disadvantage of a closed group versus an open group
is…?

Answer 27

If everyone quits, you will be left with no group members

Question 28

The number of people in an open group is generally…?

Answer 28

More stable than in a closed group.

Question 29

One distinct disadvantage of an open group is that…?

Answer 29

A member who begins after the first meeting has missed information or experiences

Question 30

When a group member is spepking, it is best for the counselor to do what?

Answer 30

Try to face the group member

Question 31

A group setting has a flexible seating arrangement in which clients are free to sit wherever they wish.

In this setting it is likely that…?

Answer 31

An Asian American leader and an Asian American client would sit close together.

In other words, persons who are similar will sit next to each other

Question 32

A group setting has a flexible seating arrangement in which clients are free to sit wherever they wish.

In this setting it is likely that…?

Answer 32

A Cuban male client in a designer suit and an Asian male client in another brand of designer suit will sit close together

In other words, the likelihood is that people who are similar or believe they have “something in common” initially will sit together.

Question 33

Which statement made by a doctoral-level counselor is illustrative of a leader focused on process rather than product?

Answer 33

“You wince whenever Jane raises her voice.”

Question 34

Which statement made by a group leader in a residential center for adolescents focuses on product rather than process?

Answer 34

“Ken has not stolen for a week and thus is eligible for supplementary tokens.”

Question 35

Groups promote the concept of universality, which suggests that…?

Answer 35

We are not the only ones in the world with a given problem.

Question 36

In the late 1930s researchers Lewin, Lippitt, and White identified three basic leadership styles.

What are they?

Answer 36

Autocratic, democratic, and laissez faire.

Question 37

The autocratic or authoritarian leader may give orders to the group, while the laissez faire leader does what?

Answer 37

Has a hands-off policy and participates very little, with the group basically taking responsibility for itself.

Question 38

When comparing the autocratic, democratic, and laissez faire styles, which one is the most desirable?

Answer 38

The democratic (or what Sam Gladding called a facilitator) is the most desirable.

Question 39

A group with more than one leader is said to utilize co-leaders.

Co-leadership is desirable because…?

Answer 39

1) The group can go on even if one leader is absent.

2) Two leaders can focus on group dynamics better than one leader since two individuals will have better observational skills.

3) Leaders can process their feelings between sessions.

Question 40

What is true concerning co-leadership and burnout?

Answer 40

Co-leadership reduces burnout and helps ensure safety

Question 41

What is true concerning co-leadership and countertransference?

Answer 41

Co-leadership helpful when one leader is experiencing counter-
transference, as the other leader can help the co-leader deal with the particular person or issue

Question 42

Co-leadership, also referred to as cofacilitation, can be a disadvantage when…?

Answer 42

1) Leaders are working against each other; this can fragment the group.

2) Leaders are intimate with each other.

3) Leaders question each other’s competence.