Group dynamics observation paper

Group dynamics observation paper

Complete the Process Observation Paper only when it is your assigned meeting to do so. It will be the
meeting that you sit outside of group and observe the proceedings. Title your paper with the meeting you
observed (i.e., Meeting #2 – Process Observation).
Address all of the topics below. Write 3-6 pages in APA Style (Times New Roman 12-point font,
1” margins on all sides, and double-spaced text in a Microsoft Word (.docx or .doc) file). Keep in mind
you should be describing group processes and dynamics during the T-group meeting you observed, not
just providing a play-by-play recap of what happened. Be specific – make observations in terms of
behavioral data. For example, “The group is demonstrating more trust. Keisha took a risk by describing
how Jerome’s casual remark about women affected her. Jerome was able to listen to Keisha without
getting defensive. He was able to describe her feelings as well as his own.”
Tip #1… When describing your observations, ask yourself – “How do I know what you know?” Use the
article What to Look for in Groups – An Observation Guide for further ideas.
Tip #2… For your observation, write the six topics on a piece of paper with space between them. When
you notice an example of the item, you can note it on your paper under that section.
NORMS
• What are the group’s explicit norms? Are any of them new?
• What are the group’s implicit norms? Are any of them new?
• Which norms are facilitative/helpful? How so? Which norms are inhibitive/unhelpful? How so?
GOALS
• What did the group’s goals seem to be today? What was the group trying to accomplish?
• Did you notice any individual members having goals that seemed different from the group’s
goals? How did this impact the group?
COMMUNICATION
• Describe communication patterns today. Were they open or closed?
• Were there any subgroups?
• What did the nonverbal communication convey?
DECISIONS
• What decisions did the group make? (Note: Decisions are always being made by the group.)
• What was the process by which those decisions were made?
LEADERSHIP
• Who were the group leaders today? What did they do to demonstrate their leadership?
• What BEHAVIORS (not people) had positive or negative influence on the group during this meeting?
• Were there any changes or developments in regard to leadership? If so, describe them.
COMPETENCIES, UNDEVELOPED AREAS, and YOUR SUGGESTIONS
• State what you believe are the group’s competencies and what it is doing well.
• State what you believe are the group’s undeveloped areas and it is doing less well.
• Make suggestions as to how the group could strengthen the areas that aren’t going well.
• What do you hope the impact would be if the group implemented your suggestions?