Group Dynamics

Code:

P306

Acronym:

DG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S

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	134	Official Curricular Structure	2	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This subject constitutes an introduction to Group Psychotherapy. Students integrate a training 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. How to create a group and core group phenomena are addressed, linking the practical experience of the class with theory.

Learning outcomes and competences

The experience as participating members promotes the development of communication skills, which are essential to lead a group. Additionally, this subject 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.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

There is no prerequisites

Program

This subject covers the following topics:

- The potential of group therapy

- Forms of group therapy based on the distinction between" therapeutic groups vs. non-therapeutic groups"

- How to create a psychotherapy group

- The importance of feedback in personal and group change

- Stages of group development (Tuckman’s approach, 1977)

- Group Leadership (factors involved in leadership; Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid, 1985)

- Group Cohesion (positive and negative impact in group)

- General principles in the use group dynamic techniques

- Learn group dynamic techniques

Mandatory literature

Guerra Marina Prista; Intervir em grupos na saúde. ISBN: 978-972-796-339-3
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
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 this subject. Students integrate, as participating members, a training group oriented towards the knowledge of core group phenomena (feedback, communication, cohesion, leadership). From the experience of participating in group dynamics, students are encouraged to examine their impact 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 important communication skills in group leadership.

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Psychotherapy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho escrito	80,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	30,00
Estudo autónomo	21,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

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

Calculation formula of final grade

Final mark is obtained from the following components:

1) Participation in classes (20%);

2) A written assignment based on a practical situation (80%)

(20% + 80% = 100%)

A minimum of 10 values on both components are required to get approval at the subject.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Students who have attended the subject in previous years without getting approval can attend the subject again, and in this case the current assessment conditions will be applied. Students who choose to ask dispense from class attendance (only granted if there is previous attendance of at least 75% of the taught classes), the assessment to get approval consists of the following components:

1) Final exam (80%)

2) The remaining 20% is relative to the written assignment presented during the year in which student attended classes.

(80% + 20% = 100%)

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with special status who choose not to attend classes, must do a written assignment which includes a theoretical conceptualization of group phenomena and a proposal of group intervention, according to the guidelines provided by the teacher (20%). They also have to do the final exam (80%). Admission to the exam requires approval at the assignment, i.e., minimum of 10 values. A minimum of 8 values on the exam is also required to get approval at the subject.

Classification improvement

Mark’s improvement consists of a final exam (80%). The remaining 20% is relative to the assignment presented during the year in which student attended classes.

(80% + 20% = 100%)

It is not possible to repeat the practical assignment.