Group Process Analysis

Group Process Analysis Paper

Social Work 4010 Group Work Practice
Wayne State University School of Social Work
October 28, 2014
Chelsey Pasha
Ec5994

Group Process Analysis

To hear the term group often scares the average college student. Breaking into a group
can be nerve wrecking for most especially if you dont know any members of the group. Group
work can still become frustrating even if you do know the members of your group conflict can
still become an issue because most truly dont understand that group work is a team effort.
Spending these last eight weeks in a group has become a learning experience in more ways then
one, but most importantly it has humbled me.
Assessment

Each week we break into group and practice different techniques to help us in our field
placement and in the field of Social Work. Our group, consist of one male and five females, so
we decided to call ourselves the Detroit Social Workers. The first couple of weeks the group did
okay. It didnt run as smoothly as I thought it would but it was bearable. A couple of weeks ago
we were told to break into groups and discuss confrontation in a therapy session. We each had to
come up with a scenario to present to the social worker in the group. I believe this particular
group session was the perfect one to address confrontation. Learning to talk to each other and
present ideas is important not only for group but it is important for the real world, and work
atmosphere. I believe that in a group you must become cohesive so that work actually is
completed and that there are no major disagreements.
Our group consists of six completely different personalities to say the least and during the
session there was confrontation and we were able to witness each personality on a different level.
We have two members in the group who are very opinionated. They believe that they are always
right no matter what we discuss, which causes conflict amongst the other group members.

Group Process Analysis

During this group session one of our group members, Carolyn did not understand why we were
using the ideas that the professor has presented in his example. She simply could not get past that
so she decided to bring that up. The rest of the group members reminded her that we didnt have
much time to come up with an idea and, that the professor wouldnt mind if we used one of his
examples. Carolyn just wasnt pleased with that idea at all and she made sure to remind us that
she wasnt. Our group became annoyed and we told Carolyn it didnt matter and I believe in that
moment she didnt like what we had to say so she lashed out at Sarah who is also very
opinionated, needless to say the day it did not end well. Carolyn lashed out at Sarah asking her
why she was so quiet and what her view on confrontation was. Sarah snapped back at Carolyn
telling her that she would show her what confrontation is. Sarah mentioned how she didnt
appreciate that Carolyn always calls her out and no one else. Sarah also mentioned how Carolyn
didnt know her name and that she was tired of her. In that moment I believe the dynamics of the
group changed and not in a positive way.
Group Dynamics

Our group started with one common goal from the start and that was to have each session
become as successful as possible, so that we each take something away from group. Role-playing
allows the group to interact on a different level but also allows the group to work together on any
faults that we may have. Norms are defined as shared beliefs and I truly believe that the group
shares the belief of respect and individuality, but I also believe that the group sometimes loses
focus on those two norms. Often times respect is the last thing that the group focuses on because
we have two group members who did not allow the rest of the group to speak, which means that
a person cant be an individual or practice individuality through our beliefs. Group roles are

Group Process Analysis

similar to norms are important for group work because they allow for division of labor and
appropriate use of power (Toseland & Rivas, 2012). From the beginning we did not identify the
roles each individual would play in the group, which I believe caused conflict and confusion.
The group as a whole I believe could be cohesive someday, but as of right now we arent.
The level of cohesiveness for the group is low due to conflict. According to Toseland & Rivas,
Cohesive groups satisfy members need for affiliation, especially if the friendship outside of
group is unsatisfactory or nonexistent (Toseland & Rivas, 2012). Our group does not mesh and
during the group session on conflict it was very apparent that we were not cohesive. In my
opinion we have not been cohesive since the start of group sessions. The group culture relates
back to our beliefs of respect and individualism. Our group is very diverse in the respect that we
are made up of all different ethnic backgrounds, and we all have different experiences that could
help add to the group. Toseland and Riva mention that group culture emerges when the group is
able to function (Toseland and Riva). Our group respects each other in terms of culture but we
dont share some of the same beliefs, which is okay to me because as large group everyone will
not agree with your beliefs, but that is what makes us culturally different.

Impressions

I have always been leery about group work for many reasons, but the main one being that
you never know who your going to get in the group and if each group member is going to
actually do the work. I believe my group during this session became fed up and personally I have
been fed up since the start of group, because it seems as though there are two bad apples that ruin
it for the bunch, which is not fair. I dont understand two personalities in the group and that is

Group Process Analysis

Carolyn and Sarah. I believe that there is a time and a place for everything and to have an
altercation during class is neither the time nor the place. I am embarrassed for my group and I am
embarrassed for Sarah and Carolyn. I personally feel that our group will not thrive with all six of
us in our group especially when you have four group members who are constantly have to be
reminded there are others in the group who would like to voice his or her opinion. This particular
group session on conflict was perfect for the group to address the conflict that had been going on
in the class, but it seems as though that didnt really change anything because during the next
session we ended up right back at square one. I believe that Carolyn and Sarah should be held
accountable for their actions and by holding them accountable I believe future group sessions
will be much better.

Plan of Action

I admit that I could play a larger role in the group overall. I dont like to interact when
there is confrontation and I never have, but with teamwork you have to learn to mediate when
conflict arises. My plan to change my groups behavior is to become more positive and demand
that everyone respects each other. Respect when it comes to sharing ideas and belief and
respecting each others opinion. I believe in order for my group to change we must come to a
consensus on how the group should work each week. There are six weeks left and our group only
has an ample amount of time to work effectively. Coming up with a plan each session like who
gets time to talk and how long, will help our group to run smoothly.
My group is capable of working together, I truly believe it and each week we somehow
prove it when we are called in to share what we come up with. Our group could change for the

Group Process Analysis

better but we all have to want it individually. Having different personalities, ones that are strong
and opinionated makes it hard to work together and stay focused on what is important. I am not
the perfect group member and I have to work on a lot as well. I need to learn to engage more
with the group and learn to communicate my frustrations in a manner that the group will perceive
as positive. Group work is a learning experience and in the end we will all benefit from this.

Group Process Analysis

References

Toseland,R.,&Rivas,R.(2012).AnIntroductiontoGroupWorkPractice(Seventhed.).
NewYork:PearsonEducation