Discussion 3: Group Development
- Group Development
- Therapeutic Factors
- Instills hope: The group contains members at different stages of their struggles or challenges. And, seeing people who are coping or recovering gives hope to those at the beginning of the process. It is a reminder to them that they are not alone and they can also progress by taking the required steps.
- Universality: Being part of a group of people who have the same experiences helps people see that what they are going through is universal and that they are not alone. They develop a sense of belonging and a feeling of being part of the community.
- Imparting information: They can help each other by sharing information, and stories to develop a connection, and a healthy discussion.
- Altruism: They can share their strengths and help others in the group, which can boost self-esteem and confidence. It allows them to have the courage to take steps to progress.
- The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group: The group is a sort of family. Within the group, each member can explore how different experiences contributed to personality and behavioral changes. They can also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive or unhelpful for them.
- Development of socialization techniques: The group setting is a great place to practice new behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive, allowing group members to experiment without the fear of failure. Develop a sense of accountability and celebrate small and big wins to boost confidence.
- Imitative behavior: Each individual can model the behavior of other members of the group or observe and imitate the behavior of the leader to develop the same qualities or skills to develop and grow.
- Interpersonal learning: By interacting regularly with other individuals of the group and receiving feedback from the group or the facilitator, members can become more self-aware and develop self-love and esteem as well.
- Group cohesiveness: As there is a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and community feeling.
- Existential factors: While interacting with the group and gaining support and feedback. They also learn they are responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices. They could progress by taking charge of it and making better decisions.
@Hope
When I started my journey as an innovator and researcher, I faced many challenges. One of them was collaborating and coordinating with a team that included members from international backgrounds. Initially, I felt hesitant to communicate and lead the team. However, I gathered courage and confidence, initiating communication and prompting the members to open up. They also expressed that they too experienced similar feelings and that prompt from me was necessary Eventually, we found common interests and developed friendships. Through sharing information and showing kindness, I gained insights and grew more confident in handling difficult situations and coordinating a team. Indeed, sense of belonging and being part of a group leads to personal growth and self-reflection.
Question for reflection - Consider a personal experience you've had in a group setting (online or offline). How did the dynamics of the group and the presence (or absence) of therapeutic factors influence your own experience and growth within the group?
I was a member of one of the huddles here on 7 Cups, and the group followed the route outlined above. It was very interesting to read your post and then reflect on my own experience that I had no idea we were being ‘led’ down a familiar and well-known path.
The group started with introductions, sharing very little, and being reticent to answer questions, but we were all there and hopeful that the sessions would help our experience.
As the group became more familiar and at ease we realised that we were not alone but that others shared similar experiences. This was reassuring that we were all in the right place and it also helped us to bond and become regular contributors to the group.
The leader was engaging and gave us interesting points to think about and talk about and we soon found that we were not alone but shared more and more. Overall it was an enlightening experience, in what felt like a safe and cared-for space and one that I am glad I was able to participate in.
Listening - One Step At A Time! - Written with no AI!
For me it was Special Olympics. It helped. Me feel like a fit some where and felt I grew so much in my 14th year there. I am more out going and noe a athlete leader.
@Heartsandrosesandpaws and thank you for being a part of the special Olympics too
@Hope I had to think long and hard about this question and I have to think about the time that I was in fourth grade and I had a science partner who wasn't really helping me much and she had me do all the work so I would say I was a grouphiveness for the most part. It was really difficult, but I'm happy that I was able to get through it and I think that applies in my every day life now.
@Hope
For me in was swimming class that I was in for 10 years
that place had a commen goal to bring best out every one and place everyone is accepred
I learned a lot from that class
@Hope We used to have groups within class that were assigned near the start of the year for English class. Every group would have a "captain" chosen by the teacher. I was captain in grade4, the experience taught me alot of things. I had the "troublesome" kids, mostly (no idea why all of them were in my group- 😅) but by the year end I had found ways to get them to cooperate in projects and activities, each of them needed a different kind of support but worked really well when they had it. It was a very inspiring, although difficult, experience.
@Hope
A few years ago, I joined an online study group to prepare for a certification exam, and the dynamics and therapeutic factors within the group significantly influenced my experience and growth. The diverse perspectives and shared goals created a sense of unity, while the natural emergence of roles allowed everyone to contribute based on their strengths. There team helped us in reducing stress and boosting confidence, as we supported each other through the study process. The strong group cohesiveness fostered a supportive environment, where emotional support and the exchange of information kept us engaged and motivated. Personally, I experienced improved knowledge, increased confidence, enhanced communication (I used to bad at communication skills ) skills, and greater emotional resilience. The collective effort and camaraderie within the group not only helped me succeed in the exam but also contributed to my personal and emotional development.
@Hope
Question for reflection - Consider a personal experience you've had in a group setting (online or offline). How did the dynamics of the group and the presence (or absence) of therapeutic factors influence your own experience and growth within the group?
Since I’ve facilitated almost 2000 groups, I’ve had many personal experiences within groups here on 7 cups. I have additionally had over 40 years of educative experience within groups within the education system. Finally, I have had years of experience within the peaceful civil disobedience community, facilitating groups such as the Tucson Womyn’s Alliance, Movement for a New Society, and more.
@CalmRosebud
Therapeutic factors have influences my experience with 7 cups groups by bringing to focus the factors which help support a group’s function: integration, recapitulation of family structures, installation of hope and more.
@Hope
Question for reflection - Consider a personal experience you've had in a group setting (online or offline). How did the dynamics of the group and the presence (or absence) of therapeutic factors influence your own experience and growth within the group?
I am reflecting on my personal experience as an ex-member, of a public speaking group. I chose this group because the dynamics of the group influenced me to have a negatively experienced and little growth within the group. I believe that our group had very few therapeutic factors. The few therapeutic factors which existed were not embraced by one leader who was reluctant towards improving the dynamics of the group. As a result, the working development stage in this group was challenging at that time.
As I reflect on the dynamics of the group, I felt that we lacked in altruism: members were afraid to advocate for change, and to help others in the group. Members felt that we lacked group cohesion. In that particular time, I felt that the group appeared as an archipelago of islands, extremely isolating. Retrospectively, group cohesiveness would have afforded more confidence in members. This confidence would have allowed us as a group to be more involved in the District. Our group would have had participation in District events, such as speech competitions. The dynamics and therapeutic factors of this particular club forced me to eventually leave as a member, and join another club.
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