Working, Final

Question 1

Work can occur at _______ stage

Answer 1

• Work can occur at every stage – not just the working stage
• Not all groups reach a working stage (Get stuck in conflict or anxiety.)
• There are no arbitrary dividing lines between each phase
• Group development ebbs and flows – does not stay static

Question 2

How do you progess to the working stage?

Answer 2

• To reach working stage, members must make a commitment to face and work through barriers that interfere with the group’s progress
• Meaningful work and learning occur at every stage of a group; however, deeper exploration and an increased level of group cohesion are typical of the working stage of a group

Question 3

Characteristics of a working group

Answer 3

• Trust is increased and there is a sense of safety
• Members’ goals are clear and specific
• Focus is on the here-and-now
• Members are willing to make themselves known
• Cohesion is high – a sense of emotional bonding
• Conflict in the group is recognized and explored
• Commitment of members to explore significant problems;
• Attention paid by group members to dynamics within the group.
• Requires less structure and less intervention than previous stages.
• Members assume more responsibility for the work.

Question 4

Confrontation

Answer 4

• Constructive confrontation is a form of feedback
• Lack of confrontation can lead to stagnation

Question 5

Interventions for working stage

Answer 5

• talking more about the issue;
• role-play;
• uncensored and undelivered letter writing;
• role reversal;
• self-monitoring out of group;
• attention to self-talk;
• trying new behaviours.

Question 6

Trust in the working stage

Answer 6

• Safety in the group can become an issue
  Intense work can cause members to re-experience the fear they had early on
• Leaders must keep this in mind and continue to work toward creating the safety in the group.
• May resurface after a session with a high level of trust, risk-taking, caring and cohesion.
• Members may experience fear and retreat.
• Critical leader describes what is happening and gets members to express their thoughts and feelings

Question 7

Values in the working stage

Answer 7

• Confrontation
• Cohesion and Universality
• Hope (change is possible)
• Willingness to Risk and to Trust
• Caring and Acceptance
• Power
• Catharsis
• The Cognitive Component (fter experiencing intense emotion, it is extremely important to gain an understanding of the meaning of the experience and to formulate new decisions based on the understanding.)
• Commitment to Change
• Freedom to Experiment
• Humor

Question 8

What can members do in the final stage of the group

Answer 8

• Clarify and integrate the meaning of their experiences in the group
• Consolidate the gains they have made
• Decide what newly acquired behaviors and changes they are committed to bringing to their everyday lives

Question 9

Tasks of the final stage of a closed group

Answer 9

• Dealing with feelings of separation
• Compare early and later perceptions in the group
• Dealing with unfinished business
• Personal gestures in expressing the meaning of a group experience
• Reviewing the group experience
• Practice for behavioral change
• Carrying learning further
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Use of a contract and homework
• Dealing with setbacks
• Guidelines for applying group learning to life

Question 10

Leader Functions After Termination

Answer 10

• Reemphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality after the group is over
• Offer private consultations if any member should need this service
• Provide for a follow-up group session or follow-up individual interviews
• Identify referral sources for members who may need further assistance
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the group