Group Observation
In this paper, I will identify and describe a group I recently observed. The description will include information about the group process and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the leader’s style. I will also consider what I might do differently if leading the group and think about how I could apply what I learned from this observation into my own work.
Group Type and Group Process
I observed an ongoing open opiate maintenance support group at the community mental health clinic where I am an employee. The group is best described as a counseling group because it uses interactive feedback to process conscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to being on opiate maintenance therapy (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2010,
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p. 14). The group is open to any new patients that might be on maintenance yet it has a pretty consistent membership of few patients. These patients appear to oscillate between the transition stage and working stage that Corey et al. (2005) describe. I observed positive group cohesion that allowed for self-disclosure and peer support. Yalom and Leszcz (2005), however, note that often times group cohesion comes about by the suppressing of negative affect. One group member was very opinionated, angry, and used profanity which appeared to bother some of the other participants. She reminded me of Yalom and Leszcz (2005) member with the “loudest interpersonal pathology” whose pathology was the most overt in the group. The authors describe the importance of identifying this so this patient doesn’t become the symptom manifestation in the group for the group. I believe this is occurring in the group I observed and definitely impinging upon the process. Leadership The group leader was empathic, able to admit personal fallibility, and supportive in a process facilitating way. She allowed clients to express their feelings and appeared to really take the information in. Many of the patient’s work with her in an individual setting, which can be both a benefit and a detriment to the group process given that it complicates the unconscious dynamics. Yalom and Leszcz (2005) note the importance of the therapist’s ability to admit personal error and the positive effect this has on a group. The inability to do this appears to indicate some pathology on the part of the therapist, which will inevitably impinge upon the group process (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). The leadership style present appeared to create a safe space for the patients and encouraged group cohesion. I would run this group in a very similar way to the leader I observed with a few exceptions.
The group therapist was very content oriented and I would be equally focused on the group process. Yalom and Leszcz (2005) note that in order to use process, a therapist must accept that they too effect process and are affected by it. The authors feel that this is one of the most helpful and powerful aspects of group therapy. I would utilize the unconscious dynamics and most likely turn the group into a psychotherapeutic group (Corey et al., 2010). I did not know the group therapist very well and I really appreciated how much the patients were willing to lean on her. They verbalized feeling safe and thankful to have a place to come and talk about their issues. The therapist formed the group to meet the need of patients who didn’t fit well into clinic programming. The therapist’s willingness to go out of her way to create unique programming resonated with me well. I hope to be able to establish strong therapeutic alliances like those I observed between the leader and group members. I think she is successful because of a most sincere and authentic care and concern for her patients. This is what I would like to take from this experience and apply to my own
work.
My analysis is on the film The Goonies. While I view the movie and determine the various norms, behaviors, roles and interaction between group members, as well as individuals the examination within the realm of film can present many of the same components. Thus, our group selected this movie to analyze based on its formation of a cohesive problem-solving group full of unforgettable characters. The Goonies portray many different theories and aspects of small group communication.
Engleberg, Isa N. and Dianna R. Wynn. Working in Groups. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012. Print.
Topics explored with this group included; conversational skills, internet safety, bullying, conflict resolution, social media, and personal appearance. Accordingly, I was able to gain insight on how to plan activities tailored to the needs of the group as well as obtain tips on conducting groups effectively. Additionally, I was able to get a sense of the group dynamics, attain knowledge on the stages of a group through observing all the individuals belonging to the group, their uniqueness and how their personality impacted the group itself. Individuals were able to join the group at different stages hence; the forming stage was repeated each time a new member was recruited. This also provided me with the opportunity of gaining first-hand experience of the interaction on the basic dynamics on group stages of forming, norming, storming and
One objective is to utilize the most powerful tool at psychotherapy’s disposal; the group experience. By one individual sharing their experience within the group, the other members are able to identify their similar experiences and work toward their own growth. Group therapy also increases self-awareness of clients in order for them to think introspectively in order to make a change in behaviors, increases social comfort, allowing exploration of new behaviors, provide and obtain support, develop communication skills, and promote interactions with others using truth and
On one visit throughout my community and common environment I was able to observe three separate groups. Within this paper I will describe each group individually provide detailed information regarding body language of the group individually.
This essay will critically analyse and assess two specific group leadership theories that have been taught in the TL2087 module, it will then further Investigate and assess strategies for group leadership and management with the aim of meeting the given learning outcomes and specific needs of the group, in addition to that it will summarise the findings made and a conclusion will be drawn clearly outlining the key points highlighted in the essay.
The first chapter of “Working in Groups” focuses on group communication, the first aspect being the key elements of group communication (Engleberg and
When I first started this assignment, I was a little lost. I did not know how many services that are provided on a daily could be considered types of groups in social work. According to Johnson and Johnson, a group may be defined as two or more individuals in face to face interaction, each aware of positive interdependence as they strive to achieve mutual goals, each aware of his or her membership in the group, and each aware of the others who belong to the group. (2009) I am in the field of education, so I chose to do my research in this area. I spent my time within the Bowman school district with Ms. TG, who is over the early childhood department. Ms. TG is responsible for getting together monthly with parents who have children
Engleberg, I., Wynn, D., & Schuttler, R., (2003). Working in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies (3rd ed.) Boston: Houghton- Mifflin. pp. 146- 170.
In order to evaluate my role within the group, it is important to identify what makes a group. A group must firstly consist of more than three members, “Two members have personal relationships; with three or more there is a change in quality” of the personal relationship. (Bion 1961, p26) The group must have a common purpose or a goal in order to succeed. Having now completed my group work task, I can look back and reflect upon the process that my group went through to get to the presentation end point.
Realizing that a group can become a high performance team is important. Accomplishing this goal is invaluable, advantageous and profitable. Once able to operate from a group to the high performing team is a great step into preparation into the big business world. Leaders and members must also realize not only how to accomplish this but that some problems will and can arise from different demographic characteristics and cultural diversity. That is if one is in such a group, which the probability would be quite high.
Ms. Parker’s morning pre-k class of 15 students started their day by working on a coloring sheet where they were supposed to color the rainbow in the correct sequence. This was a warmup activity. After the pledge, the students submitted their homework and sat on the rug for circle time. Students seemed fresh and ready to learn. They did their everyday circle time activities and as always enjoyed the matching number game the most.
Working in groups is challenging at times. Other times it is very rewarding. We are so focused on life that we do not take time to reflect on things as much as we should. Being in a Groups class has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I have begun to question, explore, and even understand how things work. I even get how they work sometimes. Not only is there a process involved in making individual decisions, process is involved in group decisions as well. This paper attempts give insight into my reflection of my group decision process.
In reflection on my learning experience in the group class, I have gained clarity on what sorts of competencies of facilitating group therapy, as well as in what areas social workers and students tend to feel most strong in my practice. Regarding my specific gains in competencies, I feel that I learned the most and was most likely to gain specific group facilitating competencies at the weekly class. Learning in group class is taught me the tools to use to work with groups therapy, communities and also with individuals through the process of changes. In this past three months I think a lot of opportunities have been created to shadowing with (beside and behind) and being a part of group members to learn. In addition, this class has taught me about the skills and how effectively help
Several experiments and researches have been conducted that have focused on how people behave in groups. The findings have revealed that groups affect peoples’ attitudes, behavior and perceptions. Groups are essential for personal life, as well as in work life.