Group Dynamics and the Group Facilitator

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Group Dynamics and the Group Facilitator

• Written by Mark Tennant
• Presented by Donna Haugh

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Summary

• Groups Dynamics - Overview
• Approaches to Groups
• Research Landmark Studies in Group work
• Role of The Facilitator and Groups
• Group cohesiveness experiential techniques
• How to Meet group needs issues and practice
• Group Development
• Group Dynamics in Working Practice
• My job role and the ALPD

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Definitions..

• Fidler (1967) Groupwe generally mean a set
  of individuals who share a common fate, who are
  interdependent in the sense that an event which
  affects one member is likely to affect all
• WebWord Online - Group Dynamics
• The branch of social psychology that studies
• the dynamics of interaction in social groups

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Tennant Group Dynamics

• Tennant Group Dynamics
• Middle Ground Between individual and society
• Small Group - unit of analysis
• More than a mere collection of individuals.
• Groups have their own dynamics separate from
  the individuals that comprise them

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Theorists and Researchers In Group Dynamics.

• Malcolm Knowles
• National Training Laboratories
• Appreciation of groupwork and group dynamics
• Kurt Lewin -
• Social Processes and Inter-group relations
• Founder of Research Center for Group Dynamics
• Interdependence of Fate and Task
  Interdependence - Powerful dynamics are created.

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Approaches to Groups

• Two ends of the spectrum
• Individualistic
• Humanist Approach under pins this theory
• Dignity of the individual, autonomy and self
  development
• Collective
• Radical Social Change Freire and Gelpi
• Empowerment of certain groups working class,
  women or religious minorities
• Political rather than social approach
• Group Dynamics sits closest to the
  individualistic approach

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Research - Landmark Case Studies

• 4 Classic Experiments
• Sherif and Asch Group Influence
• Milgram - Deception
• Lewin Group discussion V lecture format
• Individual choice and independent action is
  shared and constrained by group.
• Criticism experiments were predominately in the
  laboratory and lack of natural settings (Shaw,M
  1981)

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Group Cohesiveness

• Major area of study within Group Dynamics
• Inter-relations, co-ordination within a group and
  its attraction.
• Research shows that more cohesive more
  successful (Blanchard, Weigel and Cook, 1975)
• Festinger the resultant of all forces acting
  on members to remain in the group
• Experiential Techniques ensure cohesiveness
• Group Exercises - Ice Breakers
• Round robin at start of ALPD
• Breakdown defences and release emotional tension
• Malcolm (1975) - Demeaning and Manipulative

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Experiential Group Techniques facilitator
awareness

• Start of group - participant is more compliant
  and less likely to Opt-Out.
• 3 main principles
• Informed consent
• Freedom to participate
• Critical reflection

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Meeting the needs of the group

• Issues with meeting needs

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Issues with meeting needs

• Individual and the Group - How?
• Often gap between the two
• Groups infringe on Individual Autonomy
• Techniques - evaluate wants and demands
• Nominal Group Techniques (NGT).
• Blends Individual and group needs.
• Often only highlight individual needs leaders)
• Groups not mechanical should function as a
  group.

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Groups Needs how true?

• Mistaken Concept
• Group emerging recognition of interdependence
• Experience in ALPD Group needs?
• Understood content, needs put on students i.e.
  assessment, reading allows for personal
  interests.
• Group goals/needs richer knowledge of Adult
  Learning theories, techniques in learning i.e.
  observation and evaluation
• Individual needs Set out in our learning
  objectives e.g. Dyslexia in Adult education.

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Group Development

• Groups are not mechanical objects which can be
  facilitated by skilled facilitator
• Groups are
• Organic entities with characteristics
• Predictable patterns of growth and development
• Groups can be described to move through stages
  .

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Tuckman and Jessens (1997)

• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing
• Adjourning

Anxiety/dependence
Conflict/rebellion
Norm/exchange of views
Problems resolved/complete task
Completed tasks/roles terminated
Aids the facilitator to interpret events that
happen within a group.
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Working Practice

• No Official facilitator -
• Training Team, FISO Team
• Common Purpose and Goal Provide TL support to
  staff
• Individual Goals/needs Faculty based work
• Facilitator Present -
• Training groups - ice breakers, brain storming,
  goals/needs provide appropriate support to
  cover all.
• ALPD facilitator conveys relevant information,
  allows for group and individual needs, gives the
  space to allow group dynamics to emerge.
• Relationships emerging and support for within
  (Social event this evening)