Chapter 13 - Groups in Counselling (TWO)

Question 1

Define/explain: Psychodrama (Type of Group)

Answer 1

• invented by Jacob L Moreno, Viennese psychiatrist
• used for years with mental patients at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in DC
• members enact unrehearsed role-plays
• group leader is director, other group members are actors in the protagonist’s play and give feedback
• used by behaviorists, Gestaltists, and affective-oriented group leaders

Question 2

Define/explain: T-Groups/Training Groups (Type of Group)

Answer 2

• first used at National Training Laboratories (NTL) in Bethel, Maine in 1946
• predates group counseling or group psychotherapy.
• Kurt Lewin – formed the basis for the original group
• based on his group dynamics
• focus is on task accomplishment or on interpersonal relationship
• goal: members learn from experience how their and others behaviors influence others in the group

Question 3

Define/explain: Encounter Groups (Type of Group)

Answer 3

• emerged from T-groups to focus on growth of individual group members rather than the group
• for normal functioning individuals who want to grow. change and develop
• group’s focus is on individual expression and recognition of affect (mood/emotion)

Question 4

Define/explain: Group Marathons (Type of Group)

Answer 4

• 24 hour minimum group session that breaks down defensive barriers
• pioneered by Frederick Stoller and George Bach in 1960s
• useful with substance abusers in rehab, as well as normal functioning people in other group settings
• used by labor and peace negotiations

Question 5

Define/explain: Self-Help Groups (Type of Group)

Answer 5

• grown in popularity since 1970s
• centers on single topic
• led by layperson
• short or long term
• help members gain greater control of their lives
• usually no fee
• people go voluntarily

Question 6

How many people are involved in the over 500,000 self-help groups in the US?

Answer 6

-over 10 million people are involved in around 500,000 US groups

Question 7

Define/explain: Support Groups (Type of Groups)

Answer 7

• focus on particular concern or problem
• established by professional helping organization or person. ex. AA
• may charge fees
• group leaders may be laypeople or trained professional
• center around topics that are physical, emotional, or social

Question 8

Similarities between support groups and self-help groups.

Answer 8

• might meet in churches, recreation centers, schools, or other community centers
• healthy and complementary to other health services
• help people realize that they don’t exist in isolation, members create a network and find hope/validation through other members

Question 9

Define: layperson

Answer 9

• person who lacks expertise through professional training

- power comes from experience with common event of members

Question 10

Prevalent myths about groups:

Answer 10

• they are artificial and unreal
• they are second-rate structures for dealing with problems
• they force people to lose identity by breaking down psychological defenses
• they require people to become emotional and disclose sensitive information
• they are touchy-feely, confrontational, hostile and brainwashing

Question 11

Define: group

Answer 11

• two or more people interacting together to achieve a goal
• all involve work/the dynamic interaction between collections of individuals
• for prevention/remediation of difficulties or the enhancement of personal growth/enrichment

Question 12

Benefits of groups in counselling: (List 6)

Answer 12

-economical and effective means of helping people who share similar problems
-propels person forward and help him/her recognize needs or wants
-instillation of hope – You will get through this.
-universality – You’re not alone
-imparting of information – how to cope
-altruism – helping each other, feeling worthwhile
-corrective recap of the primary family group – reviewing previous conflicts and resolving them
-development of socializing techniques – learning social skills
-imitative behavior – imitating positive behavior of other
member
-interpersonal learning – insight; working through past issues
-groups cohesiveness – bonding with others
-catharsis – being able to express emotions
-existential factors – taking responsibility; determining choices

Question 13

Examples of groups that benefit from group counselling:

Answer 13

• help 9th and 10th graders learn social problem solving to help with career decisions
• promote career development and useful in vocational planning
• can help women improve functioning and subjective well-being
• help heart attack victims deal with stressors better
• increase maturation processes of adolescent offenders

Question 14

Drawbacks of Groups in Counselling:

Answer 14

• some clients’ problems and personalities are not suited for groups
• some problems need more individual attention
• group pressure may force client to take action like self-disclose before s/he is ready
• groupthink; defensive thinking as a group without problem solving
• individuals may not be able to generalize skills outside of the group, group may not represent a normal interaction
• may not resolve conflicts or development
• may become regressive and unproductive or even destructive, such as scapegoating, narcissistic, and project

Question 15

Define/explain: Psychoeducational Groups/Guidance groups or educational groups (Type of Group)

Answer 15

-preventive and instructional
-purpose: to teach group members how to deal with
potential threat, developmental event, or crisis
-can be found in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, social service agencies, and universities
-one of most important parts: discussion of how
members will personalize the information presented in
the group

Question 16

Examples of psychoeducational group found in schools, adult settings, and college settings:

Answer 16

• schools use instruction materials, such as: unfinished stories, puppet plays, films, audio interviews, and guest speakers
• adult setting: written materials or guest lecturers.
• college setting: control of anger, dating, study skills

Question 17

Define/explain: Counselling Groups (Type of Group)

Answer 17

what:
-interpersonal problem-solving groups
-help resolve problems of living through interpersonal
support and problem solving, ex. social anxiety
-help members develop existing interpersonal problemsolving competencies in order to better handle future problems
-attempt made to modify attitudes and behaviors, more emphasis on emotional involvement of members
how:
-smaller and in a more intimate setting
-members get “airtime” to speak
-more interaction and personalizing of information

Question 18

Define/explain: Psychotherapy Groups (Type of Group)

Answer 18

-personality reconstruction groups
-help members correct in-depth psychological
problems
-usually in inpatient facilities, psychiatric hospitals residential units
-types of problems: depression, incessant talking,
paranoia, schizoid and sociopathic personalities, suicidal,
and extreme narcissists
-easier to recognize those who should be excluded.
-more common in America

Question 19

Define/explain: Task Work Groups (Type of Groups)

Answer 19

• help members apply principles and processes of group dynamics to improve practices and accomplish a goal
• useful for task forces, committees, planning groups, community organizations, discussion groups, study circles, learning groups

Question 20

define: quality circle

Answer 20

-employee-run group of workers who meet weekly to examine the processes they are using in their jobs; devise ways to improve them

Question 21

Examples of a task work group:

Answer 21

• team in athletics, art, and employment settings

- student project groups

Question 22

Characteristics of a good task work group:

Answer 22

• clear purpose
• dynamics and information are balanced
• time needed for culture building and learning about each other
• conflict resolution
• feedback between members
• here-and-now addressed
• reflection on group

Question 23

5 Stages in Groups:

Answer 23

1. Forming
   - foundation and expectation are laid out
   - members show anxiety, dependency, and talk about non-problematic issues
2. Storming
   - turmoil and conflict occur; members seek to establish selves in hierarchy of the group
3. Norming
   - group generates enthusiasm and cohesion and decides on goals and ways of working together
4. Performing/working
   - group is productive; members are involved with each other and individual and collective goals
5. Mourning/termination
   - group comes to an end, members say good-bye to one another and the group experience
   - members feel fulfilled or bitter

Question 24

9 Issues in Groups:

Answer 24

1. selection and preparation of group members
   - pre-group training and pre-group interview are helpful to formation of the group
2. Group size and duration
   - determined by purpose and preference
3. Open-ended vs. closed groups
   - open-ended groups admit new members after having started and closed do not
4. Confidentiality
   - what has been said within group setting will not be revealed outside
5. Physical structure
   - room or setting in which group is assembled
6. Co-leaders
   - two leaders may be beneficial to some groups
7. Self-disclosure
   - dependent on trust between members
8. Feedback
   - members respond to verbal messages and nonverbal behaviors of others
9. Follow-up
   - keeping in touch with members after the group has terminated

Question 25

Leadership Qualities of Effective Group Leaders

Answer 25

1. Caring – the more the better
2. Meaning attribution – clarifying, explaining, providing cognitive framework for change
3. Emotional stimulation – activity, challenging, risk taking, self-disclosure
4. Executive function – developing norms, structuring, suggesting procedures

Question 26

define/explain: heterogeneous groups vs homogeneous groups

Answer 26

hi