Group Dynamics and

Effectiveness
A Learning Module

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Table of Contents

Course Information 3
Module 1 4
 Overview 5
 Let’s Get Started 5
 Diagnostic Test 6
 Key Terms 6
 Strolling Down the Memory Lane 7
 Think and Reflect Analysis 8
 Engage and Discuss 8
 Quiz 12
 Application 13
 Think Beyond (Metacognition Activity) 13
 References 14

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 Course Information

Course Description:

This is a three unit course in social work which discusses study of group development,
dynamics, and theories in relation to group processes and its effectiveness. Also, it focuses and
explores the communication behavior of individuals within group structures, leadership styles,
techniques and roles. Ethical issues related to group interventions are discussed.

Course Code : SW 116

Pre-Requisite Course : HBSE Courses

Course Credit : 3 Units

Year Level : Third Year

Semester Offered : First Semester

Content Writer and Layout Artist: Evaluators:

Arvin Jay G. Cordeta Dr. Jaqueline I. Espina

Prof. Lilibeth B. Fallorina
Prof. Basilisa O. Silvano

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The Fundamentals of
Group and Group
Dynamics
Module 1

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 Overview

The lone individual – the single man or woman who has no connection to other men and
women – is a extraordinarily rare human being. Homo sapiens is capable of surviving alone, and
the recluse, ascetic, and prisoner in solitary confinement can forge a life on their own. But few
humans seek or enjoy the challenges of solitude. Most people prefer to live in groups. Virtually
all the activities of our lives – working, learning, worshipping, relaxing, playing and even
sleeping – occur in groups rather than isolated from others. Most people belong to many
different groups, so the number of groups in the world probably reaches well beyond six billion.
The world is literally teeming with groups.

For centuries, sages and scholars have been fascinated by groups – by the way they
form, change over time, dissipate unexpectedly, achieve great goals, and sometimes commit
great wrongs. Yet groups remain something of a mystery – unstudied at best, misunderstood at
worst. Here we unravel some of their mysteries by examining the basic nature, their processes
and their impact on their members.

Let’s Get Started

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

 explain what is a group

 identify the properties of individuals and the properties of groups
 explain what is group dynamics
 discuss the purposes of group dynamics

Module I activities are listed below followed by estimated time allotments for each activity.

Learning Activities Suggested Time Suggested Deadline

to Finish
Take the diagnostic test. 5 minutes November 16, 2020
Complete the memory lane table. 30 minutes November 16, 2020
Accomplish the Think and Reflect Activity 20 minutes November 16, 2020
Take a short quiz on the relevant terms in 20 minutes November 18, 2020
understanding groups and group dynamics.
Write your reflective essay on group dynamics and 30 minutes November 19, 2020
the properties of groups versus the properties of
individuals.
Write a reflective essay relating what you learned in 30 minutes November 20, 2020
this module to your future career as a social worker.

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 Diagnostic Test

Read the statements below and put a check mark in the appropriate column. The time allotted
is 5 minutes.

Statement True False

1. Norms refer to a set of expected behaviour patterns attributed
to someone occupying a given position in a social unit.
2. A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group
members by others is referred to as status.
3. Group dynamics is described as the interplay of personalities in
a group of people.
4. Kurt Lewis is known as the founder of group dynamics
movement.
5. A group is as an organized system of two or more individuals
who are interrelated so that the system performs a function, has a
structured set of role relationships among its members and has a
set of norms that regulate the function of the group and that of its
members.

Key Terms:

Behavior – anything that an individual does or says in response to another individual, stimulus
or situation.

Dynamic – a condition implying change in which the change affecting one aspect of the client
system may produce other changes that may affect the initial change e.g. a gradual self-concept
change, from submissive to moderately aggressive, will lead to new experiences that in turn
may affect the direction of change in self-concept. The word implies energy, force, or motion.

Dynamics – The psychological aspect of conduct of an interpersonal relationship.

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Group - a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered or
classed together.
- a collection of individuals who have regular contact and frequent interaction, mutual
influence, common feeling of camaraderie, and who work together to achieve a
common set of goals.
- two or more individuals who are connected to one another by social relationships.
- two or more persons in relationship of psychic interaction with one another acting
as an entity. They have something in common and use face to face interaction to
share that commonality and work to fulfill needs and value common problems,
theirs and others.

Group Dynamics – the powerful processes that take place in groups.

- the scientific study of groups.
- the internal relationship among the group members and the external relationship to
the environment and the task of the group.

Relationship – The dynamic interaction between two or more individuals; It has a cohesive
quality.

Role – the behavior expected of an individual which he assumes in a specific situation in his
relationship with others – thus one person could play different roles; e.g., husband, father,
worker, community leader, etc.

Role performance – the actual behavior of a person occupying a specific position.

Social Relationships – daily transactions entered into by all men in order to perform their basic
functions as human beings and as members of a family, a neighbourhood, and a nation.

Strolling Down the Memory Lane (Activity)

In this activity, recall your membership in any group in the recent past. List down all the
groups that you belong with. Write down a short statement about the purpose or function vis-
à-vis the different groups that you have identified: The time allotted is 30 minutes.

Group Purpose/Function

1.

2.

3.

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 4.

5.

Think and Reflect (Analysis)

Analyze your group experience in the groups you have listed above. What properties of
the group made you decide that it is a group? How did the different groups influenced
you? Write a two to three paragraph essay on this. The time allotted is 20 minutes.

Engage and Discuss (Abstraction)

In this section, you shall learn the basic concepts about groups and group dynamics. You shall
also be able to know the different properties of groups and how it differs from the properties of
individuals.

Group

- a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered or
classed together.
- A collection of individuals who have regular contact and frequent interaction,
mutual influence, common feeling of camaraderie, and who work together to
achieve a common set of goals.

According to Shaw a group is defined as two or more persons engaged in social

interaction. This definition implies that each member of a group is aware of the other members
and is influenced by them. Shaw further says that some psychologist consider this definition too
general and prefer to limit the term “group” to collections of individuals who find their
association with one another rewarding. Others says that a group exist only when a collection
of individuals have developed status and rule relationships with respect to one another. Still
others insist that the individuals have a common goal in order for them to be considered a
group.

How long do members of a group exist?

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 According to the social exchange theory, or “framework” as Thibaut and Kelly call it, the
existence of any group is assumed to depend on the participation and satisfaction of individuals
comprising such group.

Individual

- A person.
- A distinct, indivisible entity, often one among many others of a similar kind.

Properties of Group:

1. Roles – these are the set of expected behavior patterns attributed to someone
occupying a given position in a social unit.

2. Norms – acceptable standards of behavior within a group that are shared by the
group’s members.

3. Status – a socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by

others.

4. Size – relative aggregate amount or number.

5. Cohesiveness – Degree to which group members are attracted to each other and are
motivated to stay in the group.

Properties of Individual

1. Skill - the ability to do something well; expertise.

- It is the ability to use individual knowledge effectively and readily in execution
or performance dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned
physical tasks even without other company.

2. Knowledge - The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained

through experience or association by the person.
- Acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique for personal
satisfaction.

3. Mastery - Knowledge and skill that allows you to do, use, or understand something
very well.

GROUP DYNAMICS AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

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What is Group Dynamics?

- Dynamics came from the Greek word dynamis which means force or power.
- The change of behavior through interaction in the group.
- The social process by which people interact in small group and in a “face-to-
face” manner.
- Refers to the study of the forces operating within a group.

The social process by which people interact in a small group and in a “face to face”
manner is called group dynamics. Dynamics comes from a Greek word which means force.
Group dynamics refers to the study of the forces operating within a group. For instance, a
group of students, a group of teachers, a group of labourers, a group of drivers, a group of
seamen, and the like.

What studies led to the study of the forces found in small groups?

There are two important historical landmarks in understanding small group. These are
the research of Elton Mayo and his associates in 1920’s and 1930’s and the experiments
conducted by Kurt Lewin in 1930’s. He is known as the founder of group dynamics movement.
Mayo showed that workers tend to establish in formal groups that affect job satisfaction and
effectiveness. Lewin showed that different kinds of leadership attitudes, produced different
responses in groups.

How do the properties of a group differ from the properties of individuals who make up a
group?

The special properties of groups are illustrated by a simple lesson in mathematics, as in

“one plus one equals three”. This is a logical error in the world of mathematics. In the world of
group dynamics, this is rational to say, “one plus one equals three.” In a group there is no such
thing as merely composition of two people. It is their relationship that makes it three. Think of a
molecule of salt (sodium chloride) which has different properties from the sodium and the
chlorine elements that form a group to make it.

What are the two principal types of group process?

One is generally called meeting wherein people are discussing ideas. The other in called
a team wherein people perform tasks together.

A meeting is convened for different purposes. These are for information, advice,
decision making, negotiation, coordination, and creative thinking. A committee is a specific
type of meeting in which members in their group role have been delegated authority with
regard to the problem at hand.

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What is the size of the meeting?

A meeting of five people seems to be preferred for typical situations. A smaller size
sometimes has difficulty functioning because of conflicts of power develop. If membership rises
above seven, communications tend to become centralized because members do not have
adequate opportunity to communicate with one another.

How may groups may be utilized?

They may be used in many ways but three important ones are: brain storming, nominal
groups, and Delphi decision making.

Brainstorming is a method which encourages creative thinking. Judgement is deferred

until all ideas, even unusual, silly and impractical ones are encouraged without criticism or
evaluation. These ideas are recorded as fast as they are suggested. This approach produces
more ideas, requires no preparation other than general information about the subject. It also
enhances broader participation, greater task orientation, exchange of ideas, and feeling that
the final decision is a team or group solution.

Nominal group is another way of decision making. When the problem is presented to
each individual, they present solutions individually. Their ideas are shared in structured format
and discussed for clarification. The best solution is chosen by secret ballot. Nominal means the
members are, on the whole, part of a group in name only. There is equal participation in the
process, non-dominance of discussion by any member and tight control of time that the process
allows for the group.

Delphi decision making is a process which does not allow the members to meet but
send their replies though written communication. The members are selected on the basis of
their expertise or have relevant ideas to share. The responses are summarized and fed back to
the members. The process may be repeated until the replies converge satisfactorily.

What method is used in conducting group dynamics through structured games?

The method is described as an “experiential approach.” The experiential learning is

based on the premise that learning which utilizes the cognitive, affective and psychomotor
domains of human behavior, can also be acquired through group procedures. This is used to
supplement the direct teaching method or traditional approach used in the classroom. Through
adequate experiences, students could discover by themselves meaningful relationships towards
each other by observing and noting how they react and are reacted upon by the participants of
the game during the processing activity. Here, the participant learns from his own experiences

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within the group thereby modifying his own behavior patterns voluntarily rather than changing
such patterns because someone else told him to do so.

The structured games are presented with objectives, procedure, and processing of the
experience in both cognitive and affective aspects to elicit insights derived from such
experience.

Quiz

Read the statements below and provide the complete correct answer. This activity might
require 20 minutes to complete.

1. What is referred to as a process which does not allow the members to meet but send their
replies through written communication?

2. What is referred to as the socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members
by others?

3. What do you call an organized system of two or more individuals who are interrelated so that
the system performs a function, has a structured set of role relationships among its members
and has set of norms that regulate the function of the group and that of its members?

4. What is referred to as the acceptable standards of behavior within a group that are shared by
the group’s members?

5. Who is the founder of the group dynamics movement?

6. Whose research in the 1920’s and 1930’s showed that workers tend to establish in formal
groups that affect job satisfaction and effectiveness?

7.What principal type of group process involves people discussing ideas?

8. What is referred to as the social process by which people interact in a small group and in a
“face to face” manner.

9. What method is used in conducting group dynamics through structured games?

10. What do you call the study of forces operating within a group?

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 Application

Now that you are already familiar with some of the basic concepts of group and group
dynamics, do further research and do the following exercise to deepen your understanding and
appreciation of the topic. The time allotted is 30 minutes.

1. Explain the word “group” in your own words.

2. What is meant by group dynamics? Write a two or three paragraph about it.

Your reflective essay will be grade using the rubric below. Use it as your guide in obtaining the
highest possible score.

Criteria 3 2 1
Response/Responses Response is related Response is related Response is not
to the topic using to the discussion related to the
own ideas, opinions content, but short discussion content
and reflection; and irrelevant; and has no clear
opinions and ideas vaguely expresses expression of ideas
are expressed in opinions, ideas and and opinions.
clear and concise reflection.
manner.
Addresses all the Response includes all Response is missing Response excludes
components components and some components essential
meets all and/or does not fully components and/or
requirements meet the does not address the
indicated in the requirements requirements
instructions. Each indicated in the indicated in the
question or part of instructions. Some instructions. Many
the task is questions or parts of parts of the task are
addressed. the task are not addressed minimally,
addressed. inadequately or not
at all.

Think Beyond (Metacognition Activity)

Write a two or three paragraph essay to answer the following questions. The time allotted is 30
minutes.

1. What do you think is the role of group dynamics in your future career as a social worker?

2. Why is experiential learning as a method in group dynamics important in your future job?

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3. What client groups do you think group dynamics will be most applicable and effective?
Support your answer.

Your reflective essay will be grade using the rubric below. Use it as your guide in obtaining the
highest possible score.

Category 2 1 0
Main Point Student’s point is Student’s point is Point given is
explicitly and lacking clarity and undetectable.
concretely stated. articulation.
Evidence/details Three or more One or two Minimal or irrelevant
relevant details and supporting details details are plotted.
evidence are given. are given.
Explanation Complete and Minimally Cannot be
comprehensive understandable understood.
explanation. explanation is
written.

Reference/s

 Group Dynamics with Structured Games and Readings by Lourdes L. Evangelista Ed. D
and Miriam Padolina Ph. D.

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