Theoretically we may look at groups from many different perspectives
which are conceptually distinct. These perspectives can each add
a different dimension to our understanding. What follows is a very
brief summary of some of the different perspectives which have developed
about groups.
Structural Approach
If we envisage the group as a structure we are likely to ask such
questions as:
- What are the patterns of relationships which exist between the
members of this group?
- What sub-groupings exist and how are they related?
- What tele (paradigm) is operating?
- Are there stars/isolates, are there factors in the way the group
has been set up or structured by the
leaders which are constraining members' behaviour?
- We might find some help in thinking about these questions in
sociometry or in systems theory.
Roles
Or we might think about the group in terms of roles.
- Then we might ask what is the division of roles in the group?
We would he interested in issues of function, expectation and inter-dependency.
This sort of approach might, for instance, he used in team building
to look at how different people can each make contributions which
may complement one another. Some useful theoretical material might
he found in role theory, systems theory, and sociology.
Process and stages
Or we might think of a group as a developing process.
- We might then ask what stage of development has this group reached?
- What is the overall lifespan of this group and how is its age
affecting its functioning?
- How did the present characteristics of the group evolve out
of the previous stages and how do they pave the way for future
developments?
Tuckman and Lungren's ideas about group stages might help us.
Preoccupation
Or we might think about what is consciously or unconsciously preoccupying
this group.
- Is it behaving as if certain assumptions held?
- Are issues like safety or inclusion or power or rules affecting
what is being talked about in ways that are unrecognised by the
group members themselves?
- Are such issues affecting the choice of language or symbolism
or metaphors employed? For instance, if a member of the group
is holding everybody's attention at length with a description
of a film he saw about a family break up, is this because the
group members sense a threat to the integrity of the group itself
which they cannot face discussing openly.
T-group theory might help us with some of these issues.
Norms
Or we might think about the group norms.
- We might ask what rules seem to be operating and how were these
established?
- Who would have the power to change them?
- How are they evolving?
- What are they seemingly designed to achieve?
Task
Or we might think about the group, in terms of its implicit or explicit
task.
- Is this a group in which there is a preset agenda or not?
- Is this a group in which one person holds the floor or "works"
for a time and then another takes
over or is it one in which the members all interact fluidly and
continuously?
- Is this group concerned with here and now issues or with there
and then ones?
- Is there a shared sense of purpose?
Dynamics
Or we might think about the group in terms of its psychodynamics.
- Then we would ask: What sentiments and motives lie behind the
behaviour of the group members?
- In what way are processes of rivalry, jealousy, identification,
differentiation, power seeking, projection, dependency, transference,
etc. affecting the individuals in this group?
- How can the group be understood on the analogy of a family?
Psychoanalytic theory might help.
Functional Approach
Or we might look at the interactions between group members functionally.
- How do these interactions relate to the task of the group?
- Are they functional or dysfunctional?
Some sociological theory such as Bales Interaction Analysis might
help.
Interactions
Or we might look at the interactions qualitatively.
- Are emotions expressed?
- Are thoughts expressed?
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