5. Groups, Dynamics Processing, and Counseling

406. Primary groups are a. preventive and attempt to ward off problems. b. always follow a person-centered paradigm. c. generally utilized for long-term psychotherapy. d. always focused on the client's childhood.

(a)

412. Group cohesiveness refers to a. forces which tend to bind group members together. b. an analysis of group content. c. a common coleadership style. d. a style of leadership.

(a)

415. One advantage of group work is that a counselor can see more clients in a given period of time. One disadvantage is that a counselor can be too focused on group processes and a. thus individual issues are not properly examined. b. the group becomes too behavioristic. c. a and b. d. thus the group focuses too much on content.

(a)

416. According to the risky shift phenomenon, a group decision will a. be less conservative than the average group member's decision, prior to the group discussion. b. be more conservative than the average group member's decision, prior to the group discussion. c. often be aggressive or illegal. d. violate the group's confi dentiality norms.

(a)

420. ACA and the ASGW division recommend screening for potential group members a. for all groups. b. only when the group is in a hospital inpatient setting. c. only when the group is composed of minors. d. only if the group deals with chemical dependency.

(a)

422. A counselor is screening clients for a new group at the college counseling center. Which client would most likely be the poorest choice for a group member? a. A fi rst-year student who is suicidal and sociopathic. b. A second-year student who stutters. c. A graduate student with a facial tic. d. A fourth-year student with obsessive-compulsive (OCD) tendencies.

(a)

427. One major disadvantage of a closed group versus an open group is that a. if everyone quits, you will be left with no group members. b. closed groups cannot provide depth therapy. c. it promotes paranoid feelings in group members. d. closed groups are much more structured.

(a)

428. The number of people in an open group is generally a. more stable than in a closed group. b. much smaller after an extended period of time than in a closed group. c. signifi cantly larger than in a closed group. d. more dependent on the group leader's marketing skills than in a closed group.

(a)

430. When a group member is speaking, it is best for the counselor to a. try to face the group member. b. not face the group member, as this does not appear genuine in a group setting. c. smile while listening. d. suppress genuine emotion.

(a)

403. The term group therapy was coined in 1931 by a. Frank Parsons, the Father of guidance. b. Jacob Moreno, the Father of psychodrama. c. E. G. Williamson, associated with the Minnesota Viewpoint. d. Fritz Perls, the Father of gestalt therapy.

(b)

407. A group is classified as secondary. This implies that a. it is preventive and attempts to ward off problems. b. a difficulty or disturbance is present. c. two therapists are utilized. d. all of the above.

(b)

413. Some theorists feel that group therapy differs from group counseling (which is also called an interpersonal problem solving group) in that a. group counseling would be of longer duration. b. group therapy, also dubbed as a personality reconstruction group, would be of longer duration. c. group counseling requires far more training. d. group therapy addresses a less disturbed population of clients.

(b)

414. Most experts would agree that overall a. structured exercises are more effective than unstructured techniques. b. structured exercises are less effective than unstructured techniques. c. all well-trained therapists favor structured exercises over unstructured techniques. d. ethical guidelines must forbid unstructured techniques because they can be dangerous to the depressed or anxious client.

(b)

419. Weight Watchers is a a. T-group also called a training group. b. self-help or support group as is AA. c. psychotherapy group. d. marathon group.

(b)

426. One major advantage of a closed group versus an open group is a. cost effectiveness. b. it promotes cohesiveness. c. it lessens counselor burnout. d. it allows the members to meet less frequently.

(b)

401. Prior to the 1960s most counseling took place a. in a group setting. b. with the entire family present. c. in a dyadic relationship. d. in Behavior Therapy clinics.

(c)

404. In the 1940s the two organizations for group therapy were created: a. NASW and NBCC. b. ASGW and AAS. c. the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama and the American Group Psychotherapy Association. d. AACD and APA.

(c)

410. Group therapy initially fl ourished in the United States due to a. Freud's lectures in this country. b. a shortage of competent career counselors. c. a shortage of individual therapists during World War II. d. pressure from nondirective therapists pushing encounter groups.

(c)

417. T-groups often stress ways employees can express themselves in an effective manner. The "T" in T-groups merely stands for a. techniques. b. taxonomy. c. training. d. testing.

(c)

421. A counselor is conducting a screening for clients who wish to participate in a counseling group which will meet Tuesday nights at his private practice offi ce. Which client would most likely be the poorest choice for a group member? a. A shy librarian. b. An anxious salesman with no group experience. c. An extremely hostile and belligerent construction worker. d. A student with 16 hours toward her M.Ed in counseling.

(c)

424. Most experts in the fi eld of group counseling would agree that the most important trait for group members is the ability a. to open up. b. to listen. c. to trust. d. to convey empathy.

(c)

429. One distinct disadvantage of an open group is that a. new members are not accepted after the first meeting. b. the leader does not control the screening process. c. a member who begins after the first meeting has missed information or experiences. d. the group is generally too behavioristic for depth therapy to occur. Open groups have changing membership, and thus different members have been present for different experiences. Choice "a" is obviously incorrect since new members could indeed enter the group after the first session.

(c)

402. A group has a. a membership which can be defi ned. b. some degree of unity and interaction. c. a shared purpose. d. all of the above.

(d)

405. Which theorist's work has been classifi ed as a preface to the group movement? a. Freud. b. Jung. c. Jessie B. Davis. d. Adler.

(d)

408. When comparing a tertiary group with a primary or secondary group a. the tertiary focuses less on individual members. b. the tertiary focuses more on the here-and-now. c. the tertiary is less likely to deal with severe pathology. d. the tertiary is more likely to deal with severe pathology.

(d)

409. Group norms a. exist only in encounter groups. b. exist only in career counseling groups. c. are not related to group cohesiveness. d. govern acceptable behavior and group rules.

(d)

411. Group content refers to material discussed in a group setting. Group process refers to a. analysis of the unconscious. b. analysis of the ego. c. the T-group paradigm. d. the manner in which discussions and transactions occur.

(d)

418. A counselor suggests that her client join an assertiveness training group. Most assertiveness training groups are a. unstructured. b. psychodynamic or person-centered. c. focused heavily on existential concerns. d. behavioristic and highly structured.

(d)

423. A screening for group members can be done in a group or privately. Although private screening interviews are not as cost effective or as time effi cient, many group leaders feel they are superior inasmuch as private screening sessions a. intensify transference. b. encourage catharsis. c. intensify abreaction. d. are generally superior in terms of counselor/client interaction.

(d)

425. Groups can be open or closed. The two differ in that a. open groups are limited to hospital settings. b. in an open group members can socialize between group meetings. c. closed groups always employ coleaders. d. closed groups allow no new members after the group begins

(d)

431. A group setting has a flexible seating arrangement in which clients are free to sit wherever they wish. In this setting it is likely that a. an African-American client and a Caucasian leader would sit close together. b. a Hispanic client and an African-American leader would sit close together. c. an Asian-American client and an African-American leader would sit close together. d. an Asian-American leader and an Asian-American client would sit close together.

(d)

Which of the following is a product-oriented group counseling theory, rather than a process-oriented group counseling theory: A behavioral B cognitive-behavioral C Gestalt D psychoanalysis

- RATIONALE - Behavioral groups are more concerned with achieving a particular end goal or "product" - i.e., quitting smoking, becoming more extroverted, losing weight, dealing with anger, etc. Although such end results may be desirable for the other theories, those groups are more likely to be concerned with the impact of the therapy process itself.

According to research on organizational behavior, which of the following is the best method for lessening the tendency for group members to think alike: A- assign a clear decisive leader B- suggest that group members write down anonymous suggestions rather than discuss them out loud C- separate the group into two or three smaller groups D- ensure that the most vocal group members delay their decisions until later in the decision making process

- RATIONALE - D. The question describes the phenomenon of groupthink in which group members think alike. The most vocal group members tend to be leaders and their opinions are often mirrored by the followers. By delaying their decisions, they allow different opinions to emerge. The assignment of a leader (A) is not necessary - usually, leaders will emerge.

Depending upon the theoretical orientation of a group, the group meeting emphasis will vary, as will the goals of group members. Which of the following groups is most likely to focus on a specific goal to be attained: A T-group B behavioral group C existential group D Gestalt group

- RATIONALE - Although all of the groups listed may have specific goals, the other groups are "process-oriented" groups, while behavioral groups are clearly "goal-oriented." Behavioral group therapy is similar to other types of behavioral therapy, in which the goal is to identify a target behavior and change it.

group therapy...

-also called personality reconstruction group -longer in duration

initial group

-called forming, orientation, or pre-affiliation stage -characterized by approach-avoidance behavior

George Gazda's three types of groups

-guidance- psychoeducational group (primary) -counseling- (secondary) -psychotherapy- commonly used in inpatient facilities (tertiary)

persons not appropriate for most counseling groups

-hostile and aggressive individuals -persons actively suicidal or homicidal -paranoid clients -those who are totally self-centered -psychotic individuals (not in touch with reality)

Three classifications for groups

1. Primary- preventative 2. Secondary- slight problem 3. Tertiary- more serious, longstanding issues

three basic leadership styles

1. autocratic- authoritarian- leader gives direction 2. democratic- the group desires (research says most desirable) 3. laissez faire- without direction-leader hands off --flexibility between the styles is best

sufficient amount of time for a group

1.5-2 hours per session

REBT Group

A Rational Emotive Therapy group leader would teach the A-B-C-D-E- method and how people create and resolve their own problems. Disputing irrational beliefs and underlying feelings and actions require a highly didactic and active approach.

Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group

A belief by the dominant culture that the minority group possesses a pattern of negatively valued traits is best referred to as:

...

Although all groups are unique, certain traits are typical of most groups. In the beginning stages of therapy, group members haven't yet started to relate to one another or to form social relationships and, therefore, they typically communicate only with the therapist, as if other group members aren't present. During this initial stage, the therapist should be prepared to play an active role.

Sociogram

As well as identifying alliances in the group, sociograms can help assess whether the alliances are growth-oriented. A sociogram is a graphic representation of the patterns showing which members are drawn to one another, which do not interact, and which members have a one-way attraction, mutual attraction, or aversion to each other.

Working Stage

During the working stage the leader links common themes in order to promote awareness of shared concerns. During the working stage the group functions very well on its own and the leader becomes less active or directive.

Tuckman & Jensen's STAGES

Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning

Group Dynamics Group Process

Group dynamics refers to the interaction and energy exchange between members and leaders. The term is used to describe the forces operating in a group. Group process is the study of stages in a group. All group go through 3 stages regardless of the type of group or style of leadership. The three stages are: Beginning Stage, Middle or Working Stage, and Ending or Closing Stage.

Person-Centered Groups

In Person-centered groups members find their own direction with minimal leader help. The leader's tasks include: role of facilitator - conveying congruence (genuineness), unconditional positive regard (acceptance), and empathetic understanding. The leader provides very little structuring or direction.

Stages

In the beginning (initial) stage of group work, the participants are concerned with fitting in. It is during the second (transition) stage that issues of power and control surface and conflicts arise. Nearing termination, groups tend to be less conflictual.

Stages in a Group

Introduction Conflict Cohesion Work Termination

...

It is a dysfunctional group norm to focus on the past or issues not relevant to the group purpose. Immediate events take precedence over the past, although the group doesn't have to focus exclusively on the here-and-now. Some accounts of past incidents are important and relevant.

Psychodrama

Moreno is considered the originator of psychodrama in a group setting and is often called the "father" of psychodrama.

Primary Tension Secondary Tension

PRIMARY Tension is anxiety which is apparent when coming together, sharing, and learning the rules. SECONDARY Tension has to do with the individual differences and similarities that exist between and among the members as they work on issues within the group. Although both may be present in each session, it is likely to encounter a change from primary tension to secondary tension in the Transition Stage.

Power: Leadership Social exchange theory advocates that power is based upon having control of valuable resources (i.e. ability, material, means of punishment, position, identity, and information)

REFERENT POWER- when people do as he/she requests because they respect the person or want to be like him/her. REWARD POWER- refers to a person's ability to influence another through control of valued rewards and resources. LEGITIMATE POWER- legitimate base of social power; belief that it's ones duty to follow the leader's directions (i.e. teachers, law enforcement, supervisors) EXPERT POWER- member has expertise or ability that group relies on; looked upon as a very trustworthy person COERCIVE POWER - dispensing punishment or sanction to those who don't comply with the group's norms and standards. Used to bring out in the open a conflict to be resolved. INFORMATIONAL POWER - member has knowledge to accomplish a goal or task.

Rudolph Dreikurs

Rudolph Dreikurs was a student of Adler and was the first to discuss the use of group therapy in private practice. Dreikurs also introduced Adlerian principles in the treatment of children in the school setting.

...

T-groups help people develop human relationship skills in organizational settings by examining group process rather than personal growth.

A client receiving verbal feedback from her peers in a Gestalt therapy group is generally said to be experiencing:

The Hot Seat

Selection of members

The key factor in selecting a person for group work is to identify a personality pattern that may not lend itself to the group. Hostile, suicidal, homicidal, paranoid, and self-centered or psychotic persons are not good candidates for group counseling. However, psychotherapy groups in an inpatient setting focus more on individual concerns. The aggressive construction worker and the aforementioned personality types would be good choices for psychotherapy groups.

Structure

The overuse of structure hinders the development of closeness, trust, and genuineness. Structured techniques are less effective than unstructured ones. Structured techniques can generate early cohesiveness. Structured techniques can foster dependency upon the leader.

Pre-Interview

The pre-interview serves as an INFORMED CONSENT procedure. Each member becomes aware of what is expected of them and what takes place in this type of group before it begins.

Psychodynamic Approach

The psychodynamic approach attempts to uncover the unconscious determinants of groups members' present behavior. Psychodynamic group leaders do not require members to remain strictly in the here-and-now.

Karpman's drama triangle is used most often in conjunction with

Transactional Analysis (TA)

Corrective Recapitulation

Yalom has identified several curative factors that operate in every type of therapy group. A group can serve as a microcosm of the family and allow members to work through past family problems in a more encouraging environment; Yalom refers to this process as corrective recapitulation of the primary family group.

a "reactive" condition is...

a given condition is the result of environmental stress

some theorists object to the word "unstructured" in group work because...

a group cannot have structure

according to journals in the field of group work

a researcher/practitioner split exists in group work

most important trait for group members...

ability to trust

groups are effective...

although researchers cannot pinpoint precisely why this is true

structured exercises in group...

are less effective than unstructured techniques

the term Group Therapy

coined in 1931 by Jacob Moreno (father of psychodrama)

role conflict

discrepancy b/w way a member is expected to act and the way they actually behave

INTERpersonal leaders

favor here and now interventions

Tuckman and Jensen's five group stages...

forming, storming , norming, performing , adjourning

homogeneity

group composition is very similar

heterogeneity

group member composition is dissimilar

a group leader who wishes to assess the impact of the group ideally would....

have an outside "observer" sit in during group sessions and consequently rate the level of behavioral change

group risks should be discussed...

in the first session

group counseling also called

interpersonal problem solving group

sociometry

is a quantitative study of relationship concerns in a group

content

material being discussed

distinct disadvantage of an open group...

members who begin after the first meeting miss information or experiences

effective leaders...

model appropriate behaviors, even when group members are resistant

INTRApersonal leaders

more likely to work on the past, sometimes employing psychodynamic notions

number of people in an open group...

more stable than a closed group

Irvin Yalom's four group stages....

orientation, conflict , cohesion , termination

Social isolate

person in group people is not there. When they reach out often their contributions go unnoticed.

sociogram

pictorial account of a group which serves to diagram member interaction

in terms of research and the group leaders personality...

qualities such as flexibility, enthusiasm, and common sense may be helpful to a very small degree

transference

refers to the clients issue

counter-transference

refers to the leaders issue

process

the WAY the material is being discussed

Ct's would generally feel most suspicious of others in...

the group formation/exploration stage

a hierarchy, or pecking order, among members occurs in...

the stage of storming, also known as the power-control stage

preface to group movement...

the work of Adler

major group dynamic is group development, usually expressed in terms of...

theories of group stages

T-groups stress...

training

risky shift phenomenon

type of group polarization effect in which a group discussion leads to the adoption of a riskier course of action than the members would have endorsed initially

blocking

used to stop inappropriate discussion

universality

we are not the only ones in the world with a given problem