Group Psychology: Theoretical Approaches to Group Counseling
Case Vignette 2: Phil, the Japanese-American
Phil, a Japanese-American expresses his discomfort and anxiety during the second meeting of his group. A keen listener, he is having difficulty speaking up whenever he is required to, and he is contemplating leaving because he understands that all members are required to participate. Moreover, he fears rejection so he prefers to sit back and watch during the group meetings. To prevent them from leaving, some group members plead with him to give them a second chance; some ask him not to quit and challenge him to prove he is not a coward; while others resort to pressuring him to remain in the group.
Interventions for those attempting to coerce Phil to remain in the group
Every individual works as part of team or in a group at some point in life and therefore, it is imperative to understand how group dynamics influence group work and group outcomes. By definition, group dynamics refer to the processes that are involved when members of a particular group interact with each other - and according to Weimels (2014), poor group dynamics undermine productivity, lead to poor decision making and unsuccessful outcomes, and damage the participants' morale. Toseland and Rivas (2005) also state that groups should develop dynamics that satisfy members' socio-emotional needs, and at the same time facilitate accomplishment of group tasks.
In group counseling, members are encouraged to talk about their problems openly in order to find solutions. The action of trying to coerce Phil to remain in the group is one example of poor group dynamics, and it may eventually affect the performance of the entire team. Instead of trying to establish the main cause of Phil's discomfort, or evaluate actions that may be contributing to his anxiety, they resort to pressure so as to convince him to remain in the group. However, there are interventions that can be used to correct this behavior and identify the root of Phil's discomfort and anxiety. These include:
a) Explaining the importance of cultural diversity
Toseland and Rivas (2005) explain that multicultural differences have a significant impact on the social integration of members. Silence is a significant aspect of communication in the Japanese culture. Consequently, as a Japanese-American, Phil is more of an active listener and this could be the reason for his alienation from the group. The members need to understand the importance of each member's culture and beliefs, and establish ways of integrating them into the daily sessions. They should also embrace values that celebrate and transcend individual differences. This will give members like Phil a sense of belonging and they will be less inclined to leave.
b) Effective communication
Group members should understand how effective communication can address members' problems. Toseland and Rivas (2005) explain that each member of a group contributes a unique set of values, which are blended through interactions and group communication. For instance, dialogue will encourage Phil to voice his opinion and allow other members to give their feedback. Instead of coercion, proper communication will create an atmosphere of acceptance and trust, and encourage members to support each other.
c) Promoting better group culture
According to Toseland and Rivas (2005), group culture emanates from values, customs, traditions and beliefs that are held in common by members of a group. They further explain that after a culture has been developed, the members who share in the culture feel at home while those who do not may feel alienated and isolated. It is evident that Phil does not share in his group's culture. The group, therefore, needs to provide individual attention to Phil and address his concerns. It should also integrate all the members into the life of the group, foster full participation and discourage intimidation or coercion of members who may want to leave.
What might you want to ask Phil or say to him?
It is important to engage Phil in some sort of dialogue in order to understand the source of his discomfort and anxiety. I would allow him to express his opinion about the group's culture, group members, and the group counselor. Once the problem has been established, Phil should explain what he thinks needs to change to prevent him from leaving. If his behavior and attitude is also part of the problem, he should be told how to change in order to interact better with the other members of the group.
Ethical issues involved when group members pressure one another
The main aim of group counseling is to assist members in problem solving and...
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