Group Dynamics

Code:

P306

Acronym:

DG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPSI	151	Official Curricular Structure 2007/2008	2	-	4	36	108

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Students of this course integrate a training group (T-group), as participating members. This methodology allows that relevant theoretical concepts be assimilated through practice. Globally, it is expected that students develop skills in the domain of group psychological intervention. Core group phenomena are addressed, linking the personal experience in the group dynamics with the theory. The experience as participating members promotes the development of communication skills, which are essential to lead a group. Additionally, this course enables students to acquire practical skills in leading a group, such as being able to select and implement group techniques according to different stages of group development and the aims of intervention.

Program

The course covers the following topics:
- The potential of group therapy
- Forms of group therapy; analysis of the nomenclature "therapeutic groups vs. non-therapeutic groups" (Guerra & Lima, 2005)
- The importance of feedback in personal and social change
- The developing structure of the therapy group system; analysis of Tuckman’s (1977) approach about stages of small group development
- Communication within the group (barriers to communication, nonverbal language, communication networks)
- Group Leadership (factors involved in leadership; Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid, 1985)
- Group Cohesion (positive and negative impact in group)
- The therapist’s role in group therapy
- General principles in the use group dynamic techniques
- Learn group dynamic techniques

Mandatory literature

Douglas Tom; Survival in groups. ISBN: 0-335-19412-5
López-Yarto Luis Elizalde; Dinámica de grupos cincuenta anos después. ISBN: ISBN 84-330-1254-1
Corey Gerald; Theory and practice of group counseling. ISBN: 0-534-24066-6
Guerra Marina Prista 570; Intervenção psicológica em grupos em contextos de saúde. ISBN: 972-796-161-4
Vopel Klaus W.; Juegos de interacción. ISBN: 84-7043-851-4
Blake, R. R. & Mouton, J. S. ; The Managerial Grid III: The Key to Leadership Excellence, Gulf Publishing, 1985
Tuckman, B. & Jensen, M. A. ; Stages of Small-Group Development Revisited., Group Organization Management, 2, pp. 419-427., 1977

Complementary Bibliography

Burlingame, G. M., Fuhriman, A., & Johnson, J. E.; Cohesion in group psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Theory Research Practice Training, 38, pp. 373-379., 2001
Bernard, H. & MacKenzie, K. R. ; Basics of group psychotherapy, Guildford Publications, 1994. ISBN: 978-0898621174

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes.
Active participation method is valued in the course Group Dynamics. Students integrate, as participating members, a training group oriented towards the knowledge of core group phenomena.
From the experience of participating in group dynamics, students are encouraged to examine the impact of them both on personal and group level. This discussion promotes new knowledge that is further theoretically contextualized by the teacher, according to the more recent approaches in this domain.
At the same time, this methodology promotes students' personal development and, especially, the training of communication skills, which is an important ability in group leadership.
To complement the experience of being a participating member, students have the opportunity to play the leadership role in implementing a group dynamic selected by them, according to the theme previously defined by the teacher (e.g. self-knowledge, discussion of personal values, communication, leadership, cohesion, ending of the group).

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Psychotherapy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	28,00
	Trabalho escrito	80,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance at classes is required. Students must be present in 75% of classes taught.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final classification is obtained from the following components:
1) Participation in classes (20%)
2) To lead a group dynamic (40%)
3) Written work regarding the dynamic led (40%)
(20% + 40% + 40% = 100%)

Each of the components must have a minimum classification of eight values.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with special status, who choose to not attend the classes, must present a work which includes a theoretical conceptualization on group phenomena and a proposal of group intervention, according to the orientations given by the teacher (25%). They also have to do the final exam (75%). Admission to the exam requires the approval in practical component, i.e., minimum of 10 values. A minimum of 8 values on the exam is also required to get approval in the course.

Classification improvement

The improvement of classification consists of a written exam (100%). It is not possible to repeat the practical work.