Effective Group Techniques and Dynamics
Elements to Take into Account in the Use of Techniques
- The techniques we use are always directed towards achieving a specific objective.
- The use of techniques should always be based on specific objectives that we have in a training program.
- When choosing a technique, we must realize that we are to achieve its goals.
- As well as art must relate to the objective, we must also specify the procedure for its implementation according to:
- The number of participants.
- The time available.
- For every technique, we must know it well, have it at the right time, and know how to drive it properly.
- Also, keep in mind the concerns and enthusiasm for the discussion that is generated in the participants and be flexible enough to:
- Not cut a discussion that may help to clarify this point, but the theme, or
- Stop the talk so that the reflection process is conducted in an orderly manner rather than jumping to generalities that really help deepen the subject.
- A single technique usually is not enough to work a theme. It should always be accompanied by further allowing a deepening process, orderly and systematic.
- It is important to locate the particular characteristics of each technique: its possibilities and limits.
- An important element to take into account in the application of any technique is to have imagination and creativity.
- Techniques should be accessible to all to be used creatively.
Types of Techniques
a) Technical or Experiential Dynamics: Are characterized by creating a fictional situation, where we engage, react, and take spontaneous attitudes: we are living in conditions.
We can differentiate experiential techniques in:
- The animation (active, relaxing, and mood)
- The analysis (reflection) (flexible use of time) (take into account rules)
b) Techniques of Performance
c) Auditory and Visual Techniques
d) Visual Techniques: We can distinguish 2 types:
1. Technical writing (developed by a group and previously, a direct result of what they know in the group.
2. Graphic techniques (symbolically express content) (decoding process marrow interpretation of symbols).
Group Definition
Requires a common objective, personal relations among the members who compose it, and cooperative action or interaction dependent.
a) To Achieve a Common Goal
A group must have a common goal or objective that directs all efforts in one direction (although the active participation of each member varies in degrees and in its mode).
Ideally, the objective is considered valuable by the group, which is a realistic objective that may be achieved.
b) Personal Relationships
People who meet on the basis of an objective in common create together multiple communication channels, which gives a second example, for the constitution of a group.
- Loop iterations between members of the group for personal relationships.
This is essential as a criterion for a genuine group has to do with relations of friendship, kinship, harmony, etc. In simple terms, reflecting:
- The need to love and be loved
- To know who we are.
- Give and receive a real welcome.
c) Dependent Interaction
Group members support each other to do work to achieve this goal. But action is appropriate to distinguish between competitive and cooperative action, this will allow a better understanding of the concept of interaction dependent.
In competitive action: each member conditions the result to the personal effort independent of others, overcome, get there before others is the essential dynamics of individual action.
In cooperative action: No one can reach the goal without others. It depends and relies on the efforts of others. It is not the individual but the group who gets the goal, without destroying the personal contributions of each member. Naturally, cooperative action alone is capable of uniting members of a group, and instead, competitive action creates divisions in the group and exacerbates individualism.
In synthesis, the group is:
The union of several people that intercommunicate with each other and interact in a cooperative action with a view to achieving a common goal.
Characteristics of Groups
1. The Structure: The distinctions between members of a group appreciate depending on factors such as:
- The experience of each.
- The aggressiveness of others.
- The power and status.
In formal groups: the status is generally based on the place of the position within the organizational structure, while in
In informal groups: they can be based on any attribute that is relevant to group members.
Example of an informal group attribute: the leading status is one that has attributes that stand out.
For example:
- Studies, manageability, capacity to express, etc.
2. The Hierarchy of Status: In stock, status is assigned to a person due to such factors as:
- The work entrusted
- Age or other condition that the group values.
3. The Roles: Each person has a specific role within the group structure, shaped by the behaviors expected of the occupants of that position and perceived behavior.
4. The Rules: Are the standards that the group members share certain characteristics that are important for these and for the organization.
Both formal and informal groups can have a variety of standards, such as for example: Loyalty.
What fosters the development of a high degree of commitment among its components. Sometimes informal groups are more demanding in the performance of the person requiring the formal group and backward when the informal group behaves formally with its own rules without regard to establishing the school.
5. Leadership: The leader always exercises influence over their members.
- On the formal group, the leader says the power legitimately punished.
- In the informal group, one member assumes leadership is recognized and respected, helping the group achieve its goals, meet their needs, enjoy representation, and overcome their conflicts to exercise a role of mediator and initiator of the actions.
6. Cohesion: It is the force that holds together the members and is larger than those seeking to drive them away.