MEASUREMENT-IN-GROUP-DYNAMICS,powerpoint

A powerpoint about group dynamics

1. MEASUREMENT IN GROUP DYNAMICS

2. Progress in science often depends on the development of tools for conducting research. Biologists made dozens of discoveries when they perfected the compound microscope as did astronomers when they peered into the night sky with their telescopes. Researchers’ success in studying groups was also tied, in large part, to their progress in measuring group members’ interpersonal actions and psychological reactions. Here, we trace the growth and impact of two important measurement tools ( observational strategies and self-report measures ) that gave group dynamics a foothold in the scientific tradition.

3. OBSERVATIONAL TECHNIQUES Researchers turned to observational measures when they first examined groups. Scholars had been watching groups for centuries, but their methods were informal and accidental rather than structured and deliberate. Researchers, in contrast, sought out groups so they could watch and record the verbal and non-verbal actions and interactions of group members. Verbal actions include all statements made by the group members, both oral and written, and non-verbal actions include gestures, motions, paralinguistic cues such as tone of voice, and even sounds such as grunts and groans.

4. OBSERVATIONAL TECHNIQUES A measurement method that involves watching and recording individual and group actions.

5. PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION In many cases, researchers observe groups from a vantage point well outside the group itself. They may arrange for the group to meet in a laboratory equipped with specialized one-way mirrors that permit them to watch the group but prevent the group from watching them. They may also videotape the group members as they interact, so that they can review these records repeatedly to make sure they did not overlook any of the complexities that usually emerge in a full-fledged interacting group.

6. PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION Watching and recording interpersonal behavior while taking part in the social process.

7. FIGURE 2-1 Lines between each member indicate interdependence, and members who are placed above others in the chart had more influence than those in the lower positions.

8. HOWTHERNE EFFECT A change in behavior that occurs when individuals know they are being studied by researchers. COVERT OBSERVATION A measurement method that records group members’ action without the participants’ knowledge.

9. QUALITATIVE STUDY A research procedure used to collect and analyze non-numeric, unquantified types of data, such as text, images, or objects. STRUCTURED OBSERVATIONAL METHOD Offer one possible solution to the lack of objectivity in observations. Like Biologist who classify living organisms under such categories as phylum, subphylum, class, and order, or psychologists who classify people into various personality types. Researchers who use SOM classify each group behavior into an objectively definable category.

10. STRUCTURE OBSERVATIONAL METHOD Any research procedure that classifies (codes) the members’ actions into defined categories. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH A research procedure used to collect and analyze data in a numeric form, such as frequencies, proportions, or amounts. INTERACTION PROCESS ANALYSIS (IPA) A structured coding system developed by Robert Bales used to classify group behavior into task-oriented and relationship-oriented categories.

11. Categories of the Original (1950) and the Revised (1970) Interaction Process Analysis (IPA) System General Categories 1950 IPA Categories 1970 IPA Categories A. Positive (and mixed) actions Shows solidarity Shows tension release Agrees Seems friendly Dramatizes Agrees B. Attempted answer 4. Gives suggestions Gives opinion Gives orientation Gives suggestions Gives opinion Gives information C. Questions Asks for orientation Asks for opinion Asks for suggestion Asks for information Asks for opinion Ask for suggestion D. Negative (and mixed) actions Disagrees Shows tension 12. Shows antagonism Disagrees Shows tension Seems friendly

12. Observers who use the IPA first learn to identify the 12 types of behavior defined by Bales. They must be able to listen to a group discussion , break the verbal content down into “unit acts”, and then classify each unit into one categories. “Should we introduce ourselves?”- Sophia “Yes.”- Barbara Observers write “Sophia- Group” besides Category 8 (Sophia asks for opinion from the whole group) “Barbara- Sophia” beside Category 5 (Barbara gives opinion to Sophia)

13. If Stephan later angrily tells the entire group. “This group is a boring waste of time.” Coders write: “Stephan-Group” beside Category 12 (Stephan seems unfriendly to entire group) If observers are well trained, a structured coding system such as IPA will yield data that are both reliable and valid.

14. Reliability The degree to which a measurement technique consistently yields the same conclusion at different times. If a rater, when she hears the statement, “This group is a boring waste of time,” always classifies it as a Category 12 behavior, then the rating is reliable. Validity Describes the extent to which the technique measures what it is supposed to measure. IPA is valid if it actually measures the amount of relationship and task-oriented activity in the group. If the observers are incorrect in their coding, or if the categories do not accurately reflect the relationship and task-oriented aspects of a group, the scores are not valid.

15. IPA It is useful because it records the number of times a particular type of behavior has occurred and, thus, makes possible comparison across categories, group members, and even different group. SYSTEMATIC MULTIPLE LEVEL OBSERVATION OF GROUPS (SYMLOG) The newest version, which generates more global summaries of group behavior. SELF-REPORT MEASURE Are based on the ideas that if you want to know how group members feel about something or why they performed a particular behavior, ask them to tell you. An assessment device, such as a questionnaire, test, or interview, that ask respondents to describe their feelings, attitudes, or belief.

16. BASIC TENDENCIES IDENTIFIED IN THE SYMLOG GROUP OBSERVATION SYSTEM LABEL GENERAL BEHAVIOR DESCRIPTION U UP UPF UF UNF UN UNB UB UPB P PF F NF N NB B PB DP DPF Active, dominant, talks a lot Extrovert, outgoing, positive A purposeful, democratic task leader An assertive, businesslike manager Authoritarian, controlling, disapproving Domineering, tough-minded, powerful Provocative, egocentric, shows off Jokes around, expressive, dramatic Entertaining, sociable, smiling, warm Friendly, egalitarian Works cooperatively with others Analytical, task-oriented, problem solving Legalistic, has to be right Unfriendly, negativistic Irritable, cynical, won’t cooperate Shows feelings and emotions Affectionate, likeable, fun to be with Looks up to others, appreciative, trustful Gentle, willing to accept responsibility Material success and power Popularity and social success Social solidarity and progress Strong effective management A powerful authority, law and order Tough-minded assertiveness Rugged individualism, self- gratification Having a good time, self-expression Making others feel happy Egalitarianism, democratic participation Altruism, idealism, cooperation Established social beliefs and values Value-determined restraint of desires Individua; dissent, self-sufficiency Social nonconformity Unconventional beliefs and values Friendship, liberalism, sharing Trust in the goodness of others Love, faithfulness, loyalty

17. BASIC TENDENCIES IDENTIFIED IN THE SYMLOG GROUP OBSERVATION SYSTEM LABEL GENERAL BEHAVIOR DESCRIPTION DF DNF DN DNB DB DPB D Obedient, works submissively Self-punishing, works too hard Depressed, sad, resentful, rejecting Alienated, quits, withdraws Afraid to try, doubts own ability Quietly happy just to be with others Passive, introverted, says little Hard work, self-knowledge, subjectivity Suffering Rejection of popularity Admission of failure, withdrawal Noncooperation with authority Quiet contentment, taking it easy Giving up all selfish desires

18. BASIC TENDENCIES IDENTIFIED IN THE SYMLOG GROUP OBSERVATION SYSTEM QUIZ NO. 1 LABEL GENERAL BEHAVIOR DESCRIPTION ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Active, dominant, talks a lot A purposeful, democratic task leader Jokes around, expressive, dramatic Friendly, egalitarian Unfriendly, negativistic Show feelings and, emotions Obedient, works submissively Self-punishing, works too hard Depressed, sad, resentful, rejecting Passive, introverted, says little Irritable, cynical, won’t cooperate Shows feelings and emotions Affectionate, likeable, fun to be with Looks up to others, appreciative, trustful Gentle, willing to accept responsibility Material success and power Popularity and social success Having a good time, self-expression Egalitarianism, democratic participation Individual dissent, self-sufficiency Unconventional beliefs and values Hard work, self-knowledge, subjectivity Suffering Rejection of popularity Giving up all selfish desires Social nonconformity Unconventional beliefs and values Friendship, liberalism, sharing Trust in the goodness of others Love, faithfulness, loyalty