Using Groups to Change Behavior

Many people share the assumption that groups can be a powerful tool in assisting people make changes in their behavior. Groups are a setting in which we experience processes that evoke change as well as allowing us to be reinforced in changes we make. Participants often report a renewed sense of hope and insight into the universality of their challenges and problems. Groups may also facilitate interpersonal skills, increased self-knowledge, feedback, and identification with others in the group. They may also offer participants the social support needed to deal with the negative effects of their behavior or thinking patterns, and satisfy a need for interpersonal intimacy.

There are four types of groups this paper will focus on:

1. Training Groups (T-Groups)

2. Skill development groups

3. Group therapy

4. Self-help groups

ODTC offers training making use of the first two types of groups.

T-Groups

Participants are offered an unstructured group experience in which they may learn about group dynamics and their own behavior and impact in groups. For more information on Human Relations Labs or T-Groups.

Skill Development Groups

Participants take part in planned exercises that focus on a specific group or interpersonal skill. This usually takes place in one of two ways:

There is a presentation of the method and any related theory, participants practice use of the method, and then reflect and receive feedback on their use of the skills.
The training begins with an experiential event in which the skill could be useful, there is an introduction of the skill, there is an opportunity to practice the skill and reflect on its use.
See the page on Training for more information on Team Facilitation Skills, Consultation Skills and other skill development programs.

Both of these approaches (T-Groups and Skill Development) are attempts to help relatively well-adjusted individuals improve their functioning in groups, self- understanding, and relationships with others. Most people find T-Groups to be a stressful learning method. People experiencing high levels of stress in their life should delay participation until later.

Group therapy

Usually conducted by a mental-health professional, focuses on relatively severe psychological and social problems:
Approaches vary -- in some the therapist helps members gain insight by offering interpretations and working with family transference effects; in others the therapist focuses on here and now behavior and avoids interpretations; a third method is for the therapist to encourage some behaviors while working to extinguish others.

Self-help Groups

Participants work together to cope with or overcome a common problem.
Often use testimonials, collective encouragement and other support methods