Psy400 Group Influence Research Paper
Group Influence
Michelle Harriman
PSY400
February 2, 2015
Sherri Sedler
Group Influence The intent of this paper is to discuss the dynamics of a group of coworkers and peers form the perspective of social psychology. The group will be analyzed in relation to the formation of norms, roles, hierarchy, potential groupthink, and any communication patterns as observed.
A social interaction within a group of two or more people creates a group environment. These groups create a social power, or group dynamic, that influences the perceptions of the individuals of the group (Myers, 2010). The dynamic is directly related to the behaviors and actions of individual group members. Each interaction between group members has the potential to impact …show more content…
and change the behaviors and actions of other members of the group. These same interactions have to capability of directing the group in a positive or beneficial direction or conversely, in a negative and dysfunctional direction.
The facility that hosted the group observed is an addiction treatment center for young adults. The social interactions of the members of the group included a strong sense of unity in the mission to assist residents of the facility in achieving recovery from addiction. Members of the group agreed on the same guiding principles. The group acts as a unit, striving to be consistent in interactions within the group and with the residents of the facility. This consistency creates a unified influence on the residents as well fostering a family type of social setting. Each individual’s interactions with another is intended to create a safe environment for young adults to recover. The social influence is created due to the acts of the individuals as a group and communicates these interactions to additional individuals, in this case residents (Myers, 2010). The intended impact of this social influence is to be positive and to influence future interactions and behaviors in the group and in the larger group of residents and staff combined. As a result the facility is able to maintain a “safe, comfortable home environment” (Tucson Transitional Living, 2014). The facility works to create a “solid foundation in abstinence, life skills, school and work, wellness, and personal relationships” (Tucson Transitional Living, 2014). For this foundation to occur, the staff must be in unity regarding policies, procedures, and fundamentals of the twelve-step program. The group discussed in this paper consists of twelve adults ranging in age from early twenties to middle sixties. Ethnicities included Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic. Educational status ranged from minimal college through masters degree and all members of the group were additionally members of a well-known twelve-step organization outside of work. The group purpose is to meet and discuss the current work environment, challenges, and opportunities, provide feedback and training, and communicate on the status of the residents of the facility. All members of the group had a shared experience of recovery through the use of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and continuous sobriety over a period of time no less than two years. Several individuals in the group have attained more than ten years of continuous recovery as a result of involvement in AA.
The room was set up with all chairs placed in a circle.
The meeting was opened with a moment of silence to reflect followed by the Serenity Prayer. This is intended to allow the meeting to begin with a unified intention by all members. The circle allows all members of the group to view each other directly and fosters a sense of equality, each member having the same value as the next. While the director is the official facilitator of the meeting, other senior members direct discussion that relate to their areas of responsibility. The hierarchy is established from the owner down to the newest staff member for purposes of chain of command and final decision making authority however, final decisions are not made until each member with information to share are given the opportunity to do so. An agenda is provided to each member of the group to allow for smooth transition between topics. Announcements of events, new residents, and other important points are shared at the beginning of the meeting. Explanations of these items are also shared for the benefit of new staff members and each is encouraged to ask questions to ensure all staff is fully informed. Any concerns are addressed in the moment and conversation was open and permitted each member to share in the discussion
comfortably.
Resident issues were then discussed, specifically the issues regarding a resident who was in violation of several of the facility rules and not following the program of recovery required by the facility. Initially the discussion took a negative turn with several members of the group were feeling resentful towards the resident’s rude and disrespectful treatment of other residents and staff. Voices became raised and the staff members with less time and sobriety began to discuss severe punitive consequences for the resident. This groupthink, a psychological tern relating to the desire of the group to achieve conformity, appeared to involve more members of the group as it continued (Friedkin, 2001). According to Myers, groupthink is an attempt by a group to exhibit control and conformity of the members. It attempts to place the ideals of the group over the perspectives of any one individual (Myers, 2010). The senior staff members, in this instance, were able to redirect the groupthink by reminding the negative members of the mission of the facility. The need of this individual for an individual coaching followed by assigned work using the steps and then a reduction of privileges until the resident achieved the level of action required was discussed and a plan was put into place that provided for these steps to occur. When the negative members of the group became a part of the solution rather than just responding to the resentments the results were a positive groupthink in place of the original negatively motivated one.
Conformity is defined as an alteration or assumption of behaviors and attitudes that benefit the group in achieving a norm (Friedkin, 2001). The group was able to achieve a norm in the dealing with the problem while respecting each individual’s perspective. Senior staff was respectful in communicating alternative solutions to the issue and allowed the group to come to a final decision as a whole. Several other issues were resolved in the same manner with all members of the group sharing input and decision-making abilities. The minutes of the meeting are then typed and shared with each member to reiterated the decisions reached by the group and to ensure continued unity out of the group setting.
Because this group is created out of a social group with clear and concise principle based upon a unified belief system, the results are a social situation that is open minded, respectful, and productive. The attempt of younger members to use the group environment to create a negative influence did not become the norm sue to respectful facilitation by senior members. The social interactions of this group benefit not only the group itself but the larger facility group as a whole, and indirectly outside groups that the residents and staff attend. These communication skills are important in many different social groups and the practice of said skills prepares younger individuals for future interactions.
References
Friedkin, N. E. (2001). Norm formation in social influence networks. Social Networks, 167-189.
Myers, D. G. (2010). Social Psychology. NNew York: McGraw Hill.
Tucson Transitional Living. (2014). About US. Retrieved from Tucson Transitional Living website: http://www.tucsontransitionalliving.com/about-us/
Tucson Transitional Living. (2014). Home Page. Retrieved from Tucson Transitional Living website: http://www.tucsontransitionalliving.com/
Michelle Harriman
PSY400
February 2, 2015
Sherri Sedler
Group Influence The intent of this paper is to discuss the dynamics of a group of coworkers and peers form the perspective of social psychology. The group will be analyzed in relation to the formation of norms, roles, hierarchy, potential groupthink, and any communication patterns as observed.
A social interaction within a group of two or more people creates a group environment. These groups create a social power, or group dynamic, that influences the perceptions of the individuals of the group (Myers, 2010). The dynamic is directly related to the behaviors and actions of individual group members. Each interaction between group members has the potential to impact …show more content…
and change the behaviors and actions of other members of the group. These same interactions have to capability of directing the group in a positive or beneficial direction or conversely, in a negative and dysfunctional direction.
The facility that hosted the group observed is an addiction treatment center for young adults. The social interactions of the members of the group included a strong sense of unity in the mission to assist residents of the facility in achieving recovery from addiction. Members of the group agreed on the same guiding principles. The group acts as a unit, striving to be consistent in interactions within the group and with the residents of the facility. This consistency creates a unified influence on the residents as well fostering a family type of social setting. Each individual’s interactions with another is intended to create a safe environment for young adults to recover. The social influence is created due to the acts of the individuals as a group and communicates these interactions to additional individuals, in this case residents (Myers, 2010). The intended impact of this social influence is to be positive and to influence future interactions and behaviors in the group and in the larger group of residents and staff combined. As a result the facility is able to maintain a “safe, comfortable home environment” (Tucson Transitional Living, 2014). The facility works to create a “solid foundation in abstinence, life skills, school and work, wellness, and personal relationships” (Tucson Transitional Living, 2014). For this foundation to occur, the staff must be in unity regarding policies, procedures, and fundamentals of the twelve-step program. The group discussed in this paper consists of twelve adults ranging in age from early twenties to middle sixties. Ethnicities included Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic. Educational status ranged from minimal college through masters degree and all members of the group were additionally members of a well-known twelve-step organization outside of work. The group purpose is to meet and discuss the current work environment, challenges, and opportunities, provide feedback and training, and communicate on the status of the residents of the facility. All members of the group had a shared experience of recovery through the use of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and continuous sobriety over a period of time no less than two years. Several individuals in the group have attained more than ten years of continuous recovery as a result of involvement in AA.
The room was set up with all chairs placed in a circle.
The meeting was opened with a moment of silence to reflect followed by the Serenity Prayer. This is intended to allow the meeting to begin with a unified intention by all members. The circle allows all members of the group to view each other directly and fosters a sense of equality, each member having the same value as the next. While the director is the official facilitator of the meeting, other senior members direct discussion that relate to their areas of responsibility. The hierarchy is established from the owner down to the newest staff member for purposes of chain of command and final decision making authority however, final decisions are not made until each member with information to share are given the opportunity to do so. An agenda is provided to each member of the group to allow for smooth transition between topics. Announcements of events, new residents, and other important points are shared at the beginning of the meeting. Explanations of these items are also shared for the benefit of new staff members and each is encouraged to ask questions to ensure all staff is fully informed. Any concerns are addressed in the moment and conversation was open and permitted each member to share in the discussion
comfortably.
Resident issues were then discussed, specifically the issues regarding a resident who was in violation of several of the facility rules and not following the program of recovery required by the facility. Initially the discussion took a negative turn with several members of the group were feeling resentful towards the resident’s rude and disrespectful treatment of other residents and staff. Voices became raised and the staff members with less time and sobriety began to discuss severe punitive consequences for the resident. This groupthink, a psychological tern relating to the desire of the group to achieve conformity, appeared to involve more members of the group as it continued (Friedkin, 2001). According to Myers, groupthink is an attempt by a group to exhibit control and conformity of the members. It attempts to place the ideals of the group over the perspectives of any one individual (Myers, 2010). The senior staff members, in this instance, were able to redirect the groupthink by reminding the negative members of the mission of the facility. The need of this individual for an individual coaching followed by assigned work using the steps and then a reduction of privileges until the resident achieved the level of action required was discussed and a plan was put into place that provided for these steps to occur. When the negative members of the group became a part of the solution rather than just responding to the resentments the results were a positive groupthink in place of the original negatively motivated one.
Conformity is defined as an alteration or assumption of behaviors and attitudes that benefit the group in achieving a norm (Friedkin, 2001). The group was able to achieve a norm in the dealing with the problem while respecting each individual’s perspective. Senior staff was respectful in communicating alternative solutions to the issue and allowed the group to come to a final decision as a whole. Several other issues were resolved in the same manner with all members of the group sharing input and decision-making abilities. The minutes of the meeting are then typed and shared with each member to reiterated the decisions reached by the group and to ensure continued unity out of the group setting.
Because this group is created out of a social group with clear and concise principle based upon a unified belief system, the results are a social situation that is open minded, respectful, and productive. The attempt of younger members to use the group environment to create a negative influence did not become the norm sue to respectful facilitation by senior members. The social interactions of this group benefit not only the group itself but the larger facility group as a whole, and indirectly outside groups that the residents and staff attend. These communication skills are important in many different social groups and the practice of said skills prepares younger individuals for future interactions.
References
Friedkin, N. E. (2001). Norm formation in social influence networks. Social Networks, 167-189.
Myers, D. G. (2010). Social Psychology. NNew York: McGraw Hill.
Tucson Transitional Living. (2014). About US. Retrieved from Tucson Transitional Living website: http://www.tucsontransitionalliving.com/about-us/
Tucson Transitional Living. (2014). Home Page. Retrieved from Tucson Transitional Living website: http://www.tucsontransitionalliving.com/