Nature of Group Process and Group Dynamics

Group: a number of people or who are connected by some shared activity,

interest, or quality.
Process: a series of action that produce something or that lead to a particular
result.
Dynamics: a pattern or process of change, growth, or activity.
Techniques: a way of doing something by using special knowledge or skills.
Strategies: the skill of making or carrying out plans to achieve a goal.
TYPE OF GROUPS
Formal groups: refers to those which are established under the legal or
formal authority with the view to achieve a particular end results. E.g.: trade
unions.
Informal groups: refers to aggregate of personal contact and interaction and
network of relationship among individual. E.g.: friendship group.
Primary groups: are characterized by small size, face to face interaction and
intimacy among members of group. E.g.: family, neighborhood group.
Secondary groups: characterized by large size, individual identification with
the values and beliefs prevailing in them rather than cultural interaction. E.g.:
occupational association and ethnic group.
Task groups: are composed of people who work together to perform a task
but involve cross-command relationship. E.g.: for finding out who was
responsible for causing wrong medication order would require liaison
between ward in charge, senior sister and head nurse.
Social groups: refers to integrated system of interrelated psychological group
formed to accomplish defined objectives. E.g.: political party with its many
local political clubs. Friendship group.
Reference groups: one in which they would like to belong.
Membership groups: those where the individual actually belongs.
Command groups: formed by subordinates reporting directly to the
particular manager are determined by formal organizational chart.
Functional groups: the individuals work together daily on similar tasks.
Problem solving groups: it focuses on specific issues in their areas of
responsibility, develops potential solution and often empowered to take
action
GROUP PROCESS

It is a continuous, ongoing movement of the group toward

achievement of its goals.

It represents the flow of the group from its starting point to its
termination.

Refers to the attitudes and interaction of members and leaders.

1800s:

Groups were formed for functional and pragmatic reasons

Large in number

Primary emphasis on information, instruction and/or correction of

behaviors

Immigrants and the poor receive special attention

Social workers and Physicians use group structure to increase

awareness of self
Mid 1800s

Moral therapy showed how therapeutic groups could be

structured and tailored to meet their individual needs
Hull House

Focuses on promoting reciprocal relationships and increasing

individual self-determination and self-respect.

Overall the development of groups in 1800s was a dynamic move

ment which included contributions from psychology, sociology,
philosophy and education.

Group movement developed due to the need for social reform

and education.

1907: Jesse B. Davis

Stressed the functionality of a group as an environment in which

to learn life skills and values.
1908:

After the death of Frank Parsons, counselors in many guidance

settings and other such agencies used groups as a way of
dispensing information and providing educational and vocational
guidance
1910-1919 World War I:

Psychological groups tests (e.g. Alpha and Beta intelligence tests)

weredeveloped and administered.

Groups were used in a limited way to treat combat fatigued

soldiers.

Emphasis on teamwork.

During this decade there was growth in select schools and

organizations on group guidance and psycho educational
approaches to learning in groups.
World War I:

Psychological groups tests (e.g. Alpha and Beta intelligence tests)

weredeveloped and administered.

Groups were used in a limited way to treat combat fatigued

soldiers.

Emphasis on teamwork.

During this decade there was growth in select schools and

organizations on group guidance and psych educational
approaches to learning in groups.
Europe: J.L. Moreno

Published a philosophical paper on group methods under the

name J.M. Levy. He had a major impact on the development of
group theory and practice in U.S. and
Europe. His writings stressed the psychoanalytic and social psycho
logical perspectives of individuals working together.
1920 -1929

Group guidance and counseling efforts were initiated in a new

from.
GROUP DYNAMICS

A branch of social psychology which studies problems involving

the structure of a group.

The interactions that influence the attitudes and behavior of

people when they are grouped with others through either choice
or accidental circumstances.

A field of social psychology concerned with the nature of human

groups, their development, and their interactions with individuals,
other groups, and larger organizations.
OBJECTIVES OF GROUP DYNAMICS
To identify and analyze the social processes that impact on group
development and performance.
To acquire the skills necessary to intervene and improve individual
and group performance in an organizational context.
To build more successful organizations by applying techniques
that provide positive impact on goal achievement.
STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT
BRUCE W TUCKMAN is a respected educational psychologist who first
described the four stages of group development in 1965. The four-stage
model is called as Tuckman's Stages for a group. Tuckman's model states that
the ideal group decision-making process should occur in five stages:

1900s: Joseph Hersey Pratt

Organized the first formal group experience, wrote about the

dynamics that occur within group settings and served as model
for other leaders exploring processes within their groups. He
recognized the therapeutic power of groups.
Rhances O. Esporlas
November 20, 2014