Balance Between Group and Process

6. Balance Between
Content and
Process
Presentation by: Vanessa Grace L. Manos
CONTENT PROCESS

7. Process must be balanced with content
regardless of the type of group being
conducted.
Process, along with content, is at the heart of
decision making.

8. CONTENT PROCESS
-refers to the specific tasks,
problems, topics, or
conditions addressed by the
group as a whole.
-refers to the interaction
between the group members.
-refers to the factors that
contribute to the group
processes.

9. Content questions include:
What do we have to do?
What do we need to do to
accomplish our goals?

10. Process questions center on:
Who am I? (Personal)
Who am I with you? (Interpersonal)
Who am I with you? (Interpersonal
and Intrapersonal group)

11. The group as a system: a way of
explaining group dynamics
Because content and process must be balanced to have
productive group dynamics, a question that arises is "How?"
One answer is to think of the group as a system, a set of elements
standing in interaction with one another. Each element is affected
by whatever happens to any other element. Thus, the system is
only as strong as its weakest part. Likewise, the system is greater
than the sum of its parts.

12. Conditions and structure that help the group run
smoother and better in both the long and short run:
Preplanning
Group structure (Physical structure and Group
Interaction
Members' roles

13. Preplanning
The dynamics of a group begin in the pregroup stage.
In this stage, the leader determines what type of
group to conduct, in what setting it should be held,
how long it will last, who should be included, and
how it will be evaluated.

14. Group structure
It refers to both the physical setup of a group as well
as the interaction of each group member in relation
to the group as a whole.

15. Physical structure
the arrangement of group members
has a strong influence on how a group operates
Group interaction
can be described as the way members relate to
one another
consists of nonverbal and verbal behaviors and
attitudes that go with them
continuum, from extremely nondirective or highly
directive

16. A role is a dynamic structure within an individual (based on needs,
cognitions, and values) which usually comes to life under the influence of
social stimuli or defined positions.
The manifestations of a role is based on the individual's expectation of self
and others and the interaction one has in particular groups and situations.
Members' roles

17. FACILITATIVE/ BUILDING ROLE- is one that adds the functioning of a group in positive
and constructive ways. The members may serve as initiators of actions and ideas,
information seekers, opinion seekers, coordinators, orienteers, evaluators, or recorders.
Group facilitating and building focuses on helping everyone feel like a part of a group.
Members who function in this way help the group develop while keeping the conflict to a
minimum.
MAINTENANCE ROLE- is one that contributes to the social-emotional bonding of
members and the group's overall well-being. When interpersonal communication is
strained, there is a need to focus on relationships.
BLOCKING ROLE- is essentially an antigroup role. Individuals who take this roles act as
aggressors, blockers, dominators, recogntiion seekers, and self-rightous moralists.
Types of roles

18. The effect of positive and
negative variables on group
dynamics

19. Positive group
variables
member commitment
readiness of members for the group
experience
the attractiveness of the group for
its members
a feeling of belonging
acceptance of security
clear communication

20. Instillation of hope- assurance that treatment will work
Universality- what seems unique is often a similar or identical experience
of another group member
Imparting of information- instruction about mental health, mental illness,
and how to deal with life problems usually through group discussion
Altruism- sharing experiences and thoughts with others, helping them by
giving of one's self, working for the common good
Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group- reliving early
familial conflicts correctly and resolving them
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Curative or therapeutic factors
(Yalom)

21. 6. Development of socializing techniques- learning basic social skills
7. Imitative behavior- modeling positive actions of other group members
8. Interpersonal learning- gaining insight and correctively working through
past experiences
9. Group cohesiveness- the proper therapeutic relationship among group
members, group members and the group leader, and the group as a whole
10. Catharsis- experiencing and expressing feelings
11. Existential factors- accepting responsibility for one's life in basic
isolation from others, recognizing one's own mortality and the
capriciousness of existence

22. Negative group
variables
avoiding conflicts
abdicating group responsibilities
anesthetizing to contradications
within the group
becoming narcissistic
If most or all of these variables are present, then a group will become regressive and
possibly destructive. In such cases, the whole group and the individuals within it lose.

23. "The strength of the team is each
individual member. The strength of each
member is the team."
– Phil Jackson