Running head: AA MEETING FOR GROUP INFLUENCE 1 AA MEETING FOR GROUP INFLUENCE 8 AA Meeting for Group Influence PSY/400 May 27, 2016 AA Meeting for Group Influence It has been said that unity is a strength, and a single word can work miracles. It has been the sole foundation of social groups that started being formed across the nation in 1997, with the aim creating a social cohesion and helping certain individuals in their hour of need. Some groups focus on health matters; others focus on addiction while other concentrates on integrating old war and US Iraq War soldiers into the peaceful life in the society after having been psychologically affected by war. The Alcoholics Anonymous (The AA Group) is one among the many social gatherings of today. I noticed such when I first visited last Saturday. Physical Arrangement AA meetings can occur anywhere, in an open or a closed setting. The meeting I attended was in a community social hall. Individuals were arranged in rows of three, each row containing three seats. At the front, there was a raised platform like a dais with multiple public relations instruments, some musical instruments tables, and chairs. Usually, the members sat on the chairs, new members mixing with old members (Sunstein & Hastie, 2015). The AA's committee members and other associates sat in front of the audience, with other representatives from other social organizations such as LifeRing Secular Recovery, Friends of Nature, Celebrate Recovery, and Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) (Sunstein & Hastie, 2015). It was a traditional group setting. However, one thing was unique. The walls were decorated with charts, fact maps, Sobriety Slogans, and timetables detailing the group’s upcoming activities. The group’s composition was also unique. I had read from articles that in a majority of AA meetings, racial diversity is usually low, with sexes ranging at a ratio of 65%-35% male to female (Tonigan, Connors& Miller, 2013). However, this time, it was unique. The group seemed heterogeneous regarding ethnicity while the male to female sex ratio was 55% to 45%. This implies a racial integration and the breaking of traditional norms. In the past, the issue of alcoholism was stereotyped to men, with ladies having a small percentage. However, with the current rate of modernization, alcoholism is becoming a related problem for both genders (Tonigan, Connors& Miller, 2013). Again, it has always been traditionally known that the aged, preferably 47 years and above are burdened by alcoholism. However, the group member’s age ranged from 18-43years. Purpose, Mission, and Goals The primary purpose of AA is to create a group of individuals who share hopes, strengths and experience to solve common problems and also help others recover from alcoholism. AAs mission statements vary with regions (Suns ...

1. Running head: AA MEETING FOR GROUP INFLUENCE
1
AA MEETING FOR GROUP INFLUENCE
8
AA Meeting for Group Influence
PSY/400
May 27, 2016
AA Meeting for Group Influence
It has been said that unity is a strength, and a single word can
work miracles. It has been the sole foundation of social groups
that started being formed across the nation in 1997, with the
aim creating a social cohesion and helping certain individuals in
their hour of need. Some groups focus on health matters; others
focus on addiction while other concentrates on integrating old
war and US Iraq War soldiers into the peaceful life in the
society after having been psychologically affected by war. The
Alcoholics Anonymous (The AA Group) is one among the many
social gatherings of today. I noticed such when I first visited
last Saturday.
Physical Arrangement
AA meetings can occur anywhere, in an open or a closed
setting. The meeting I attended was in a community social hall.
Individuals were arranged in rows of three, each row containing
three seats. At the front, there was a raised platform like a dais
with multiple public relations instruments, some musical
instruments tables, and chairs. Usually, the members sat on the
chairs, new members mixing with old members (Sunstein &
Hastie, 2015). The AA's committee members and other

2. associates sat in front of the audience, with other
representatives from other social organizations such as LifeRing
Secular Recovery, Friends of Nature, Celebrate Recovery, and
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) (Sunstein & Hastie,
2015). It was a traditional group setting. However, one thing
was unique. The walls were decorated with charts, fact maps,
Sobriety Slogans, and timetables detailing the group’s upcoming
activities.
The group’s composition was also unique. I had read from
articles that in a majority of AA meetings, racial diversity is
usually low, with sexes ranging at a ratio of 65%-35% male to
female (Tonigan, Connors& Miller, 2013). However, this time,
it was unique. The group seemed heterogeneous regarding
ethnicity while the male to female sex ratio was 55% to 45%.
This implies a racial integration and the breaking of traditional
norms. In the past, the issue of alcoholism was stereotyped to
men, with ladies having a small percentage. However, with the
current rate of modernization, alcoholism is becoming a related
problem for both genders (Tonigan, Connors& Miller, 2013).
Again, it has always been traditionally known that the aged,
preferably 47 years and above are burdened by alcoholism.
However, the group member’s age ranged from 18-43years.
Purpose, Mission, and Goals
The primary purpose of AA is to create a group of individuals
who share hopes, strengths and experience to solve common
problems and also help others recover from alcoholism. AAs
mission statements vary with regions (Sunstein & Hastie, 2015).
However, the mission statement for the group I attended is to
carry, disseminate and reveal the purpose of AA, and the
benefits of AA to that alcoholic who is still suffering from the
hands alcoholism. Their goals are to create awareness of the
dangers of alcoholism, unite members, create strength and
motivate each other on the journey to sobriety from alcohol.

3. Primary Participators, Group Norms, and Roles
The AA group has some facilitators, probably trained in
psychology and counseling. However, it being an anonymous
group, a publication is not advised, and the group's facilitators
are not mentioned (Sunstein & Hastie, 2015). Furthermore, the
group adheres to several norms of interaction. For instance,
albeit more valid for women than men, hugging is typical,
notwithstanding when individuals do not have any acquaintance
with each other well. There is hardly any handshaking. Unless
you are new to AA, if you do not take part in hugging, it is
suspected that there is something "wrong" with you. Hence, this
norm is based on first looking at logic, then followed by
consistency. If it’s logical to hug a friend, and individuals often
do it, then any new member must follow it as a norm (Sunstein
& Hastie, 2015). The new individual may, or may not, take
part in hugging. If a person is new to the group, they are
pardoned. Hugging is not intended to hurt, but rather to
welcome a person into the group. Additionally, when a person is
new to AA and does not have much constant moderation,
physical closeness boundaries are more noteworthy, and this is
comprehended and regarded by the group (Tonigan, Connors&
Miller, 2013). There does not appear to be as much physical
space required for solace while individuals are in the AA group
as they need when they are not with other AA individuals.
It is a taboo to get a patron of the opposite sex, despite the fact
that it happens. Inside the group, cultivating associations with
all individuals who are energized; however, it is recommended
for the women to be upheld by the women, and the men to be
bolstered by the men. It is particularly valid amid the principal
year of ceaseless moderation and amid troublesome times. It is
additionally valid with the part of sponsorship (Sunstein &
Hastie, 2015). Nobody is ever exiled from the group, as per
the group's settled upon conventions. A significant portion of

4. the general population had never met; they met in Alcoholics
Anonymous. There are particular cases of individuals who had
drank together, yet an adage among group individuals is that
they are "individuals who typically would not blend." The fact
that liquor addiction is a sickness is a key uniting factor.
Communication Patterns
Communication within the group is based on intuition.
Consequently, the group’s chairperson is responsible for dealing
with conflicts and issues when and in the event they arise. For
instance, the director requests silence whenever they feel the
group members are deviating from the main theme or taking too
long in their discussions (Kirkpatrick, 2016). The executive has
control over the talk of the meeting: the meeting begins with
him/her saying "My name is “so” and I am a dipsomaniac." This
is trailed by a moment of hush, the Serenity Prayer, perusing of
the Preamble, announcements, driving the Lord's Prayer, and so
forth.
When it is the ideal opportunity for another member to share, it
is done either by raising hands and being perceived by the seat,
or simply getting out, "My name is “so” and I am an alcoholic
(Kirkpatrick, 2016). " People here reflect on their inner parts
(introversion) and decide to share their experience in an attempt
to influence the outer world (extraversion) or the audience. All
individuals are relied upon to present themselves in this same
way and be mindful toward others when they are sharing. It is
the way one is required to present themselves before talking. If
somebody does not do this, another member will yell out, "Who
are you?" since it conflicts with the inferred arrangement of the
meeting for a man to begin talking until they have recognized
themselves along these lines (Kirkpatrick, 2016). Turn-taking
is esteemed by the members; while one individual is sharing,
others listen mindfully, and cross-talk (talking while another is
talking or asking direct, extension inquiries) is not permitted by

5. the group.
Some dialect usually used inside the group has been embraced
from the strides, conventions, or the Big Book: stir (signifying
"make"), amends, higher force, moral stock, weakness (talked
about as a positive thing), and so forth. Language used by
member’s ranges from higher registers to mixed up. Dialect and
exchanges are confined to issues as they identify with liquor
addiction. There is a considerable measure of coincidental
learning, for instance: “Read the book! Call your supporter! Go
to 90 meetings in 90 days!" and so on (Kirkpatrick, 2016). This
happens, for the most part prior and then afterward the meeting.
The guidelines and dialect of the group are strengthened by
member dialogs and behaviors, for the most part previously,
then after the fact the meeting, albeit in some cases instruction
in this limit happens amid the meeting. One does not need to be
straightforwardly required in correspondence to hear and see
things identified with their recovery from liquor addiction in
AA group meetings.
Sense of Identity and member attitudes
The majority of the members shared a sense of identity, basing
on the notion that all had at one time been addicts of alcohol,
struggled out of the addiction or are still struggling. Motivated
by the ideology that if alcohol did not kill them, it made them
strong enough to resist it. Consequently, the group members
fostered an environment of understanding and common identity.
Through these, they all attained friendly attitude towards each
other and even opened up to share their experiences without
remorse or shame. In fact, it became an avenue where people
could reveal almost all the evil things they did for money and
alcohol, ask for forgiveness and be accepted without being
judged. Consequently, such activities and attitudes only ended
up uniting the group, directing it almost through all the stages
of group development. The non-judgmental attitude cemented

6. the relationship until when the members identified with each
other with a common goal of staying sober.
Group Think & Conclusion
Finally, it became clear that the members were vulnerable to
group think, and cases of bounded rationality were highly
possible. This is because as the group progressed from storming
to norming, individuals were almost accepting to everything the
chairman said. At the point of conformity, individuals hardly
thought about themselves, but with the group in the big picture
(Kreitler, & Kreitler, 2014). Consequently, it just became
unnatural for oppositions to occur, even was clear that some
individuals had better ideas and suggestions in mind, but feared
to raise them to avoid opposition from other group members.
References
Kirkpatrick, K, J. (2016). "Interpreting AA (and other 12-step)
Meetings." American Sign Language Interpreting Resources.
Retrieved from:
http://asl_interpreting.tripod.com/situational_studies/kejk1.htm
Kreitler, S., & Kreitler, H. (2014). The cognitive foundations of
personality traits. New York, N.Y: Plenum Press.
Sunstein, C. R., & Hastie, R. (2015). Wiser: Getting beyond
groupthink to make groups smarter. Boston, MA: Harvard
Business Review Press.
Tonigan, J, S., Connors, J, G., & Miller, R, W. (2013). Special
Populations in Alcoholic Annonymous, 22 (4):281-285.
Points Earned / Possible Points: 0 /15
Group Influence Rubric
Paper (Due Week Four)
Percentage of Points

7. Actual Points Earned
Key elements are covered:
50%
Obtain faculty approval of your selected opportunity prior to
engaging in the opportunity or receive a three point deduction.
May not be retrospective this must be a new experience
occurring during the course of this class; it cannot be a work,
church, or school meeting. This is not a personal experience or
personal opinion paper. This is to be written as a scientific
APA paper, providing practical application of the theories and
concepts as it relates to the group's experience, and your
observation of the group, not your experience. Paper to be
written in 3rd person.
There is an additional 3 point deduction for not obtaining pre-
approval, and 3 point dedcution for weriting in 1st person.
Resources: Group InfluenceAssignment
Write a 1,200- to 1,500-word paper incorporating your analysis
with evidence to substantiate your conclusion.
Describe your setting by answering the following:
1. How were the people arranged in the physical environment
layout of room and seating arrangement)?
A. What is the composition of the group, in terms of
number of people, ages, sex, ethnicity, etc.?
B. What is purpose, mission, or goals of the group? What is the
duration of the group (short, long-term)?

8. C. Did the group structure its discussion around an agenda,
program, rules of order, etc.? Explain items 1, A-C employing
sources to support your ideas. (worth 1.5 point).
1. Who are the primary facilitators of the group? What were the
group's norms, roles, or status hierarchy? Employ sources,
concepts, and theory to support your ideas. (Worth 2 points)
2. What communication patterns illustrated if the group was
unified or fragmented? Explain using Myers and one additional
source to support your idea as well as the concepts (1 pt)
3. Did the members share a sense of identity with one another
(characteristics of the group-similarities, interests, philosophy,
etc.)? Explain; In your opinion, how did the collective group
behaviors influence individual attitudes and the group's
effectiveness? Provide your overall analysis as it relates to
Myer's and additional sources. (Worth 2 point)
4. Was there any indication that members might be vulnerable
to Groupthink? Why or why not? Explain how your
observations relate to research studies on norm formation, group
norms, conformity, and/or social influence. Integrate your
findings with literature from the textbook, peer-reviewed
journal articles, and additional scholarly sources. (Worth 1
point)
5. Provide in-text citations of 2 peers reviewed references in
addition to Myers, to support your key points. (Worth 1.5 pt.)
6. Post the completed assignment as a Word document in the
appropriate assignment section along with a copy of the
Plagiarism Checker (turitin) report. Report can not be > than
20% match (Worth 1 point)

9. 7. Submit the Certificate of Originality in addition to your
assignment and turnitin report.
10 points
Organization
10%
A clear and sufficient introduction and central theme/purpose
are clear. Structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow
(including spelling, punctuation, and correct grammar). The
subsequent sections support the central theme. The
conclusion/recommendations follow logically from the body of
the paper.
1 points
Format
20%
Citations follow APA guidelines. Reference page follows
guidelines and is included. Paper is laid out effectively, uses
title page, running head, reference page, appropriate margins,
paging, headings (in paper) and attends to detail.
2 point
Readability and Style
10%
Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Sentences are well
constructed. Sentence transitions are used to maintain flow of
thoughts. Words are precise and not ambiguous. Appropriate use
of tone for content and assignment.
1 point
Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling
10%

10. Rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling are followed and
are correct.
1 point