Group dynamics: Working as a nurse-Midwife
Working as a midwife requires me to function as a member of a team, not simply an individual nurse. The midwife must coordinate her advice with other components of the patient's obstetric treatment team. The midwife must also work well with the patient's family. Groups are often said to be either task-oriented or person-oriented (Group Dynamics 1 PowerPoint, Slide 8). In the case of the groups in which I work when I am dealing with a client, the group has both characteristics. On one hand, the task is to deliver a healthy baby, with as few complications (preferably none) as possible. But the team is also person-oriented, to help the mother navigate pregnancy and delivery. "CNMs/CMs are a vital part of the healthcare team and collaborate closely with physicians. When CNMs/CMs and physicians work together as a team, women receive an optimal combination of primary…...

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References

Group Dynamics 1: PowerPoint.

Nurse midwife. (2011). Explore Health Careers. Retrieved:

 http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/71/Nurse_Midwife

Group Dynamics
Discuss the functions of formal and informal groups. How does each contribute to the organization? with examples

Formal groups are organizations that have a fixed set of rules, structure and have procedures that leave little room for interpretation, and must be followed. As well, they have status symbol, limit activities of individuals in the group, set objectives and policies and coordination between people. They have rules that are readily observable through documents or rules that are written and determined or executed through formal position, like authority or ownership. The function of formal organizations is for the individual and group. For the organization and individuals, they are assigned work to reach the objective of the group, facilitate coordination of different activities in the organization, people have a definite role and hierarchy to establish an authority relationship, divide work in the group and create group togetherness in the organization. Examples of a…...

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Works Cited

Alleman, Glen. "Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning ." Niwot Ridge Consulting -- A Source of Information for Mission Critical Systems, Management Processes, and Strategies. www.niwotridge.com/PDFs/FormStormNormPerform.pdf (accessed March 26, 2011).

"Formal organization." Wikipedia.   (accessed March 26, 2011).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_organization 

"Informal organization ." Wikipedia.   (accessed March 26, 2011).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informal_organization 

"Open system (systems theory) ." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   (accessed March 26, 2011).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_system_%28systems_theory%29 

In a group situation, therefore, an emergent leader has an inherent power to be valued by a group of his or her peers. ather than being viewed as superior, the leader's abilities are valued by other group members, with respect being earned rather than forced.
As mentioned, communication is central to effective group functioning and leadership. Hence, a good group leader will also have a distinctive verbal style. Members who display a confident verbal style, making helpful suggestions and organizing the group in effective ways, tend to emerge as leaders. Such leaders also speak clearly and directly, which increases their influence in the group. To reiterate a previous point, it is also such leaders who will be able to influence group members towards a certain decision. Strong group leadership is particularly beneficial where difficult decisions are at hand, or where group members struggle to reach consensus on issues.

In terms of…...

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References

Brenner, Mark. (2009, Dec. 1). Group dynamics can enhance leadership development. HR Magazine. Retrieved from  http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/management-business/13638575-1.html 

Frey, Nancy, Fisher, Douglas & Everlove, Sandi. (2009). Chapter 2: Using Positive Interdependence. In Productive Group Work. Retrieved from  http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109018/chapters/Using_Positive_Interdependence.aspx 

Galanes, Gloria J. (2010). Group Leadership and Problem Solving. Southwest Missouri State University. Retrieved from  http://www.roxbury.net/images/pdfs/cps6chapw.pdf 

Oxford Brookes University. (2010). Characteristics of a group: Cohesiveness. Retrieved from  http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/ocsd/2_learntch/small-group/sgt107.html

The internal processes become more efficient because barriers in personal communication are broken down once the group is working towards the common purpose. Increasing cohesiveness in the group requires leadership that orients the objectives of group members more strongly towards the common purpose. This can be done a number of ways, including through individual and group task structure, the fostering of a common culture, the establishment of smooth communication systems and through providing structural reinforcement of behavioral norms.
Social Interaction

Social interaction impacts decision-making because it determines the degree to which the decisions orient the team members towards the common purpose. Strong social interaction should allow the group to have a greater degree of consensus in decisions. Attitudes about the team's objectives and the methods used to achieve those goals are reinforced by strong social interaction. eak social interaction can leave some group members oriented towards their own individual goals, because…...

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Works Cited:

Cohen, S. & Bailey, D. (1997). What makes teams work: Group effectiveness research from the shop floor to the executive suite. Journal of Management. Vol. 23 (3) 239-290.

Groysberg, B.; Polzer, J. & Elfenbein, H. (2010). Too many cooks spoil the broth: How high-status individuals decrease group effectiveness. Organizational Science. Published online before print. DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1100.0547.

Jung, D. & Sosik, J. (2002). Transformational leadership in work groups. Small Group Research. Vol. 33 (3) 313-336.

Sonoma State University. (no date). Working in teams. Bused.org. Retrieved September 18, 2010 from  http://www.bused.org/rsabe/rsabe10.pdf

Adding conflict and competition to that precarious situation can be difficult, but is an important part of workplace group dynamics. However, conflict and competition can be both positive and negative components within a group dynamic situation. Jehn and Mannix (2001) discuss intragroup conflict and performance in their Academy of Management article, finding consistent results that implied the important nature of some conflict within workplace groups. The researchers found that groups that performed well exhibited low levels of process conflict, but that the conflict that was there was increasing. However, these groups also had generally low levels of task conflict and only moderate levels of conflict associated with task. Thus, Jehn and Mannix's (2001) findings suggest that some levels of conflict within a group are necessary, and perhaps even beneficial. Without any type of conflict, groups would most likely be described as cohesive, those groups that were prone to groupthink…...

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References

Baumeister, R.F. & Leary, M.R. (1995). The Need To Belong: Desire for Interpersonal

Attachment as a Fundamental Human Motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117.3, pp. 497-529.

Brown, R. (2000). Group Processes. Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved July 14, 2009, from  http://books.google.com/books?id=e-9OtYRo45cC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s 

Cole, M.B. (2005). Group Dynamics in Occupational Therapy. New Jersey: SLACK.

Leadership

In considering leadership, Curtis (1995) suggests a number of optimal characteristics that are desirable in any group setup, whether formal or informal. An effective leader has certain responsibilities and concomitant traits that are important in performing his or her duties. Responsibilities for example include honesty, establishing trust, being a role model, adaptability, decision-making, motivation, and being sensitive to the needs of other group members. In leading a group, meeting these responsibilities can be summarized into two main functions that the leader has to accomplish: helping the group to work towards accomplishing the tasks and goals of the group, and the maintenance and development of relationships within the group to optimize the completion of tasks within the group.

According to the author, the leader has to display strength in certain tasks and objectives. He or she for example needs to both give and seek opinions. As a leader, giving opinions, facts, suggestions…...

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Sources

Accel Team (2008). Team Building - informal group dynamics. http://www.accel-team.com/work_groups/informal_grps_02.html

Blair, Gerard M. Groups that Work. http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/art0.html?http://www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/art0.html

Curtis, Rick (1995). Outdoor Action Guide to Group Dynamics & Leadership. http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/sect9.html

NP Action (2005). Eight Characteristics of Leadership.  http://www.npaction.org/article/articleview/636/1/235

Group dynamics in such an environment produce psychological and energy changes "fuelled by the underlying forces of motivation and anxiety"(Tyson, p.47).
Stacey (1998) maintains that study of group dynamics in an educational setting is important because group interaction is seen as a "interaction is a "critical variable in learning and cognitive development" (1990 p.43 in Stacey, 1998, p.77) specifically in the "socio-emotional variables of group interaction, including motivation, satisfaction and anxiety reduction that are important in effective learning" (Stacey, 1998, p. 77). Group dynamics is thus a 'critical variable' whose effect on learning "cannot be ignored" (Stacey, 1998, p.40).

In an educational setting, the leader plays an important role especially at the beginning of the session when every member in the classroom is unfamiliar with his environment and his peers. Bion (1961) concludes that initially a group may face three possible problems known as dependency, flee instinct and rescue. It means…...

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References

Bion, W.R. (1961). Experiences in Groups. London: Tavistock

Stacey, E. (1998). Study of the Enhancement of Learning through Group Interaction by Computer Mediated Communication, unpublished Doctor of Philosophy Thesis

Tyson, T. (1989). Working with Groups. South Melbourne: MacMillan

Tuckman, B.W. & Jensen, M.A.C. (1977) Stages of small group development revisited. Group and Organizational Studies, 2, 419-427

The social worker in group therapy has a responsibility to avoid personal bias and to enable others in the group to do the same and rather than being put off by differences among group members to respect and embrace those differences.
ibliography

Context, Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation: The Heart of Social Work Practice -- Chapter 8, The Social Group Work Process. (2011) School of Social Work, Texas State University -- San Marcos, 2011. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CFIQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgato-docs.its.txstate.edu%2Fchp-school-of-social-work%2FAccredidation%2FSW-Version-pdf%2FVolume-1-SW-pdf%2F2-SW-Chapters-pdf%2F8-SW-Merged-social-work-processes-oct-29-5pm_edits_11-17-11%2F8%2520SW%2520Merged%2520social%2520work%2520processes%2520oct%252029%25205pm_edits_11.17.11.pdf&ei=KvfkUcP3EsSciALUl4GoCg&usg=AFQjCNFTmOSZznklN_N5jQCqj95og_5c3Q&sig2=u_IkfjwUfAAMER1zziJ6Qw&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE

Forsyth, DR (2006) Group Dynamics. 4th Ed. Retrieved from: http://www.cengagebrain.com.mx/content/forsyth68220_0534368220_02.01_chapter01.pdf

Forsyth, DR (2010) Group Dynamics. 5th Ed. Retrieved from: http://pldimitrov.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/group_dynamics.pdf

NASW Standards for Clinical Social Work in Social Work practice (2005) National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from: http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/naswclinicalswstandards.pdf

Rengasamy, S. (nd) Social Group Work. Student's Guide. Retrieved from: http://www.slideshare.net/srengasamy/understanding-social-group-work...

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Bibliography

Context, Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation: The Heart of Social Work Practice -- Chapter 8, The Social Group Work Process. (2011) School of Social Work, Texas State University -- San Marcos, 2011. Retrieved from:  https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CFIQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgato-docs.its.txstate.edu%2Fchp-school-of-social-work%2FAccredidation%2FBSW-Version-pdf%2FVolume-1-BSW-pdf%2F2-BSW-Chapters-pdf%2F8-BSW-Merged-social-work-processes-oct-29-5pm_edits_11-17-11%2F8%2520BSW%2520Merged%2520social%2520work%2520processes%2520oct%252029%25205pm_edits_11.17.11.pdf&ei=KvfkUcP3EsSciALUl4GoCg&usg=AFQjCNFTmOSZznklN_N5jQCqj95og_5c3Q&sig2=u_IkfjwUfAAMER1zziJ6Qw&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE 

Forsyth, DR (2006) Group Dynamics. 4th Ed. Retrieved from:  http://www.cengagebrain.com.mx/content/forsyth68220_0534368220_02.01_chapter01.pdf 

Forsyth, DR (2010) Group Dynamics. 5th Ed. Retrieved from:  http://pldimitrov.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/group_dynamics.pdf 

NASW Standards for Clinical Social Work in Social Work practice (2005) National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from:  http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/naswclinicalswstandards.pdf

In one of the scenes Constance tells Alice that she knows she will die before very long and would much rather die in the country because she has found a bit of happiness there. Alice informs Constance that she certainly isn't thinking of dying but is heading off to go fishing leaving Constance to her crying along. Another leader exists in the form of Winnie Holden who is the group's initiator and leader in the fitness and dance class in the kitchen of the old cottage.
Sher (2005) states in the review of the film published in the Canadian Filmwriters Journal (2005):

'Cissy Meddings is an elf-like woman with an irresistible smile and disposition with no hint of the stroke that had left her bed-ridden. Beth Webber is all British reserve, better dressed for high tea than a hike." (Sher, 2005)

Summary

Alice is strong where Constance is weak and the same can…...

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References

"The Company of Strangers" (1990) National Film Board in Canada.

Sher, Emil (2005) Canadian Screenwriter Journal Online available at: http://www.emilsher.com/essays/company.htm#b.

This can be a challenging process and it is not always apparent what is the norm and what is offensive in some cultures. Furthermore, the counselor will also have to ensure that the group respects the diversity that it has within it and therefore there may have to be an educational component to teach the group what will and will not be tolerated in regards to diversity.
Conclusion

Ethics are a complex issue to study and this is a primary reason why a professional code of conduct is establish and is meant to be followed. Although it is definitely good for a counselor to have a background in ethical training, it is not entirely necessary if they adhere to their professional guidelines. A basic overview of some of the ethical systems was provided for illustration purposes and to show the complexity within the discipline. However, most people have a sort of…...

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Works Cited

Gallagher, J. (2010, July 28). Sexual Attraction and the Counseling Relationship. Retrieved from Counselor:  http://www.counselormagazine.com/component/content/article/64-ethics/1085-sexual-attraction-and-the-counseling-relationship 

Kropf, D. (2010, November 25). Ethics in Group Counseling. Retrieved from Media Wix:  http://media.wix.com/ugd/c78f92_0c41e079778b4db6b75270a601db038a.pdf 

Ladany, N., Melincoff, D., O'Brien, K., & Knox, S. (1997). Sexual Attraction Toward Clients, Use of Supervision, and Prior Training. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 413-424.

Pope, K., Tabachinick, B., & Keith-Spiege, P. (1998). Sexual Attraction to Clients: The Human Therapist and the (Sometimes) Inhuman Training System. Retrieved from Sexual Issues:  http://kspope.com/sexiss/research5.php#copy

Assessment of participants in this study will include assessment of the behavior of the participants as set out in the work in Tolman and Edleson, which specifies the improvements that should be present in an effective and successful domestic violence intervention treatment group study.
SUMMARY

ecause the Duluth model presents the opportunity for 'real' change in the lives of men who batter and as well in the lives of families in a process of restoration of the family, this study is important not only at the level of the family but is important for society as well. Children and women who are from broken homes that have been broken due to unresolved domestic abuse more times than not live in poverty however, the potential for family restoration through ending the cycle of domestic violence from male batterers offers new hope that will impact the community and the world around these individuals…...

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Bibliography

Pandya, Varsha and Gingerich, Wallace J. (2002) Group Therapy Intervention for Male Batterers: A Microethinic Study. Journal of Health and Social Work. 1 Feb 2002. Online available at  http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1534574/Group-therapy-intervention-for-male.html 

Bowen, Ellen L. (nd) Intimate Partner Abuse: Understanding and Treating Domestic Violence.

Wexler, David. Domestic Violence 2000: An Integrated Skills Program for Men. New York: W.W.

Norton. 2000.

Leader-Member Exchange heory: Another Perspective on the Leadership Process. International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration, 1-5.
he LMX theory might be interesting to look into. he basic idea behind the leader-member exchange (LMX) theory is that leaders form two groups, an in-group and an out-group, of followers.

Naor, M., Linderman, K., & Schroeder, R. (2010). he globalization of operations in Eastern and Western countries: Unpacking the relationship between national and organizational culture and its impact on manufacturing performance. Journal of Operations Management, 194-205.

Another analysis on multicultural teams that focuses on differences that lie between Eastern and Western cultures will make the HR role even more dynamic and essential to the organization's success.

Bell, S., & Morse, S. (2013). An Approach to Comparing External and Internal Methods for Analyzing Group Dynamic. Group Dynamics: heory, Research, and Practice.

his study presents the results of a statistical analysis comparing 2 different approaches to assessing group…...

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This study proposes that research needs to go beyond examining quantitative changes in the structural dynamics of online discussion groups (such as membership size and message volume) and include investigation of the social dynamics characterizing the underlying qualities of the interactions among members.

Frings, D., Hurst, J., Blascovich, J., & Adrams, D. (2012). Challenge, threat, and subjective group dynamics: Reactions to normative and deviant group members. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 105-121.

The present research addressed this gap in the literature by using the biopsychosocial (BPS) model of challenge and threat, while testing predictions stemming from the subjective group dynamics (SGD) model. Group members participated in simulated interactions with other group members.

Air Force: Group Dynamics
The Air Force refers to the division of the United States Army which uses its power in aviation technology to protect the nation at large.

Stages of Development

The history of the United States Air Force is a truly lengthy one, as the division of the military is over one hundred years old. The beginnings were modest and difficult. "On August 1, 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps formed an Aeronautical Division. This action came only three-and-a-half years after the Wright brothers flew the world's first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. At first, however, the Aeronautical Division was mainly interested in balloons and dirigibles instead of heavier-than-air flying machines" (airforce.com/history). It wasn't until 1909 that the first plane flew within the air force, with the first Aero Squadron being formed in 1913; the following year the army created the aviation section of the signal corps as a…...

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References

Airforce.com/history. (2013). Missions Part One: From the Signal Corps to the Air Corps. Retrieved from Airforce.com:  http://www.airforce.com/learn-about/history/part1/ 

Airforce.com/mission. (2013). Our Mission. Retrieved from Airforce.com:  http://www.airforce.com/learn-about/our-mission/ 

Crary, D. (2013, June 2). Military's sexual-assault problem has deep roots. Retrieved from airforcetimes.com:  http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130602/NEWS/306020004/Military-s-sexual-assault-problem-has-deep-roots 

Levi, D. (2011). Group Dynamics for Teams. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

group dynamics/Group interaction.
It is a norm where candidates apply for jobs and switch jobs if they happen to stumble over a good opportunity. Similarly, a candidate applied for a Sales Manager position in a reputed International firm. The candidate worked in the designated post as a Sales manager for 2 years until the candidate happens to receive a better opportunity with good pay package in another company. Erratically, the candidate faced paradigm shift of the new society. This is a normal, norm. Every company has their own culture, rules and regulations. Only what is noted here is that the candidate was unable to raise the anticipated revenue for the fellowship which the candidate was earlier generating. The candidate faced flak of motivation and felt regret of switching the job (Certo and Certo, 2008).

Withal, it is observed that a good pay packet is constantly employed in head hunting by company's…...

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References

Certo, C., and Certo, S. (2008). Modern Management: Concepts and Skills. (11 Ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice -- Hall

Dessler, G. (2008). Management. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Haire, M., Ghiselli, E.E., & Porter, L.W. (1963). Cultural patterns in the role of the manager. Industrial Relations, 2(2), 95-117.

Kreitner, R. And Kinicki, A. (2007). Organizational Behavior. (7th Ed). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.

Lord of the Flies and Group Dynamics
In the movie Lord of the Flies, a group of very young and adolescent boys are forced to fend for themselves without adult supervision after becoming stranded on an island. The various reactions depicted in the movie highlight the destructive effects an intense group dynamics can have on individual psychology and behavior.

In one of the early study of child psychoanalysis, Melanie Klein (1984) proposed that even infants have an innate aggression, and live psychic lives dominated by sadistic fantasies. However, as they grow up, most children move beyond this "paranoid-schizoid position" into a "depressive position." According to her, the paranoid-schizoid and the depressive positions fight for dominance throughout an individual's lives.

In the depressive position, however, a person learns how to work with a group. In a well-ordered group, Klein further theorized, individuals who have moved into the depressive state learn how to tolerate and…...

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Works Cited

Klein, Melanie (1975). "The Oedipus complex in light of early anxieties." In Love, Guilt and Reparation and Other Works, 1921-1945. London: Hogarth. Original work was published in 1945.

Klein, Melanie (1984). "A contribution to the psychogenesis of manic-depressive sates. In R. Money-Kyrle (Ed.) The writings of Melanie Klein (Vol. 1, pp. 262-89). New York: The Free Press. (Original work was published in 1935)

Essay Topic 1: The Deterrent Effect of School Theft Policies

Pro-Deterrent Viewpoint:

School theft policies that impose swift and strict consequences deter students from committing theft by creating a fear of negative repercussions.
The threat of suspension, expulsion, or legal charges acts as a psychological deterrent, discouraging students from engaging in theft.
By establishing clear boundaries and consequences, schools maintain a safe and orderly learning environment where students feel secure.

Anti-Deterrent Viewpoint:

Strict school theft policies create a punitive atmosphere that alienates students and undermines their educational progress.
Students who are caught stealing may be subjected to harsh punishments that can harm....

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a prominent theory of group development that emphasizes the interplay between individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they influence the dynamics and outcomes of the group. When formulating a strong thesis statement on CBT as a Theory of Group Development, it is essential to focus on the specific aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy that have a significant impact on group processes. One approach could be to explore how CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation can be applied within group settings to improve communication, collaboration, and overall group cohesion. Additionally, delving into how....

Thesis Statement: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective therapeutic approach for facilitating group development and enhancing group dynamics, enabling individuals to modify maladaptive behaviors, transform dysfunctional thought patterns, and cultivate healthier interpersonal relationships within the group context.

Introduction:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has gained widespread recognition as a powerful psychotherapeutic intervention for addressing a diverse range of psychological concerns. Its effectiveness in individual therapy has been extensively documented, and recent research has highlighted its applicability and efficacy in group settings. This thesis delves into the intricate relationship between CBT and group development, exploring how CBT principles and techniques can be harnessed to foster....

I. Introduction
A. Explanation of the relationship between historic events and the development of sociology
B. Thesis statement: Historic events have played a significant role in shaping the field of sociology by influencing social theories, research methodologies, and the overall understanding of human society.

II. Influence of the Industrial Revolution
A. Impact on social structures and class systems
B. Emergence of urbanization and social inequalities
C. Development of social theories such as Marxism and functionalism

III. Influence of World War II
A. Disruption of social order and norms
B. Rise of mass communication and propaganda
C. Growth of social psychology and group....