Group Dynamics and Cultural Differences
Respond to two colleagues who selected different group dimensions.
Explain how these dimensions complement or change the dimensions and effects that you described.
Brittany Candelas MondaySep 11 at 12:33pm
Describe two of the four dimensions of group dynamics.Group cohesion is when all of the factors acting on members, results on the members remaining in a group. It is made up of three components which are member attraction, sense of unity, and teamwork. Group bonding is what adds the consistency to group cohesion because it is what drives the members of the group to achieving their goals in unity (Peitao Zhu, 2023). Group culture is another dimension of group dynamics and it refers to values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that group members have in common (Ronald Toseland, 2017). Group culture is displayed in the way group members interact with each other in things such as handling conflict.Explain how these dimensions affect the group process.Multicultural differences within a group can have a huge impact on the group process and social integration of the group (Ronald Toseland, 2017). This is because when it comes to beliefs, values, customs, and traditions, people are sometimes not from an open minded upbringing. This means it may not be possible to make any kind of change in certain members of the group which could cause a conflict to remain unresolved in the group. There are lots of multicultural differences that play a very dominant role in people’s lives making it a very sensitive factor. Group cohesion can affect the group process in many ways because when a group is cohesive, there are expectations of gratification (Peitao Zhu, 2023). Expectations of gratification in group cohesion could be things such as the types of people members expect to meet in these groups, the tasks at hand in the group as well as delegation handling. If these expectations are not met by every single member, this could affect the group’s expression, willingness, goal attainment, attendance, and effectiveness (Ronald Toseland, 2017). Sometimes these patterns can lead to dependence on the group within group members which can be a problem in things such as intensive therapy groups with people experiencing severe issues.References:Peitao Zhu, Y. L. (2023). Examining a Cohesion-Focused Model in Experiential Growth Groups: A Single Case Research Design. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work.Ronald Toseland, R. R. (2017). An Introduction to Group Work Practice. Pearson.
Danielle Anderson MondaySep 11 at 8:41pm
Main Post #1Describe two of the four dimensions of group dynamics.I choose group cohesion, which results from all forces acting on members to remain in a group (Toseland, 2017, pg 79). Group cohesion is made up of three components: member-to-member attraction and liking for the group as a whole, a sense of unity and community so that the group is seen as a single entity, and sense of teamwork and esprit de corps with the group successfully performing as a coordinated unit (Toseland, 2017, pg.79). An article I found for group cohesion is the role of harassment and group cohesion for depressive and anxiety symptoms, in the article it says higher perceived group cohesion of the whole group and improved mental health might decrease if induvial group members are exposed to interpersonal mistreatment, such as harassment (Thomas, 2022). The other group is communication; communication can be verbal, nonverbal, and written. Communication would be talking; nonverbal communication could be expressing facial expressions, writing them down, or drawing pictures. There is all kinds of different way to communicate with patients and groups.Explain how these dimensions affect the group process. Group cohesion can affect the group process in that group work can effectively meet the needs of socially isolated older persons (Toseland, 2017, pg 79). Members are attracted to the group when they feel that their participation is valued and when they feel they are well-liked (Toseland, 2017, pg. 79). I can see that because people do not like getting put down in groups, and they go to group when they are scheduled for and participate the more, you want to go. Communication is often consistent across different situations, and group workers can use this information to work with individual members and the group as a whole (Toseland, 2017, pg. 69).Reference:Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.Chapter 3, “Understanding Group Dynamics” (pp. 67–97)THOMAS, S. et al. The role of harassment and group cohesion for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, [s. l.], v. 54, n. 3, p. 194–205, 2022. DOI 10.1037/cbs0000283.supp (Supplemental). Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=psyh&AN=2021-60640-001&site=eds-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 12 set. 2023.https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=7&sid=3af07e3c-392d-499b-9d67-e26e638b1c14%40redis&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXNoaWImc2l0ZT1lZHMtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=2021-60640-001&db=psyh
Respond to two colleagues in one of the following ways:
Explain how a characteristic from your own culture might change the group dynamic created by your colleague’s characteristics.
or
Explain how you would manage a group that exhibits the characteristic(s) described by your colleague.
Caitlyn A Bullert
WednesdaySep 13 at 6:56pm
Group culture refers to values, beliefs, customs, and traditions held in common by group members (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). A group will have better cohesion when there is a common bond among them. It could be religion, race, or an issue that they all share such as a substance use disorder. In the scenario (Toseland & Rivas, 2017), the leader may not have as much cultural competence about the Latino community. There are groups such as Latino, Asian, and even Middle Eastern that give more respect to their elders than European cultures do. The leader may be respected and considered like an elder as someone with more knowledge and experience. This is something I noticed also about the Latino community when I lived in San Diego. For me, I have the same respect for elders. I believe it comes from Jewish culture. I would never consider interrupting the rabbi or any of my elders. Jewish culture believes strongly in community. There are guidelines for saying certain prayers such as the mourner’s kaddish in that there needs to be at least 10 people or what we call a “minyan”. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters, i.e., that ten people are needed in each of these cases, derived? Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is as the verse states: “And I shall be hallowed among the children of Israel” (Leviticus 22:32), which indicates that any expression of sanctity may not berecited in a quorum of fewer than ten men (Babylonian Talmud). The synagogue is also an important part of Jewish culture and activities such as Hebrew school, Torah study, and even the Passover seder happen there. ReferenceToseland, R.W., & Rivas, R.F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed., ). Boston, MA: Pearson.Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 23b.
Najla Sahirah Abdullah WednesdaySep 13 at 9:28pm
Culture plays a significant role in group work, shaping how individuals interact, communicate, and collaborate within a group. It influences the dynamics, decision-making processes, and overall effectiveness of the group. Culture encompasses inner beliefs and values that individuals carry with them, often unconsciously. It also manifests in how group members handle conflicts and relationships within the group. Understanding and addressing cultural differences is crucial for fostering a productive and inclusive group environment (Toseland & Rivas, 2017).In the case study “A caregivers group for Latinos,” cultural differences had a noticeable impact on the group’s dynamics. The Latino group members exhibited a strong cultural value of respecting their elders, which contrasted with the Anglo caregivers’ approach. This affected how they communicated about elderly care and their participation in the group. The practice of waiting to speak until invited by the group leader, seen as a sign of respect in their culture, limited their engagement and hindered effective communication within the group (Toseland & Rivas, 2017).Reflecting on my own cultural characteristics, I share similarities with the Latinos in the case study in terms of the hesitancy to speak unless invited to do so. In group settings with a designated leader, I tend to be reserved and prefer waiting for my turn to speak. While this behavior might be seen as respectful, it can affect group work by limiting open communication and the exchange of ideas among members. Furthermore, I also hold a deep respect for elders, but like the case study participants, I may feel somewhat intimidated in their presence, believing they possess greater wisdom. This timidity can impact my interactions with older individuals within a group, potentially hindering my ability to contribute fully to the group’s objectives.ReferencesToseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
Respond to two colleagues:
Choose at least one colleague who discussed methods to help the poor that were similar to your post, and choose at least one colleague who discussed methods different from your post.
Describe how your colleague’s method to help the poor could benefit from a change or further benefit from additional change.
Jinwon Pereira MondaySep 11 at 6:28pm
Explain how methods to help the poor have changed in contemporary social welfare.
When 1960 began, the United States had the highest mass standard of living in world history. The American economy was strong and national product was increasing five times. Around this time, American corporations were growing and successful as well. However, there was the other America and culture of poverty on the other side of the coin. There were many relatively invisible poor people who were unskilled workers, migrants, minorities, and others. Fast Forward to 1965, President Johnson’s administration signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act also known as the Social Security Amendments. Medicare made health care more affordable for the elderly population and Medicaid was funded through matching grants with states. It was one of the government’s attempts to reduce the poverty gap and quality of living in the country.
Explain how these methods have remained the same.
Many of the aspects of Medicaid and Medicare remain the same with the purpose of the program to assist having better quality health benefits to Americans. Medicare is a health insurance program for the elderly and Medicaid is a health insurance program for people with limited income. Both programs reformed itself over the last several decades to include more coverage expansion on people and adjust eligibility.
References:Marx, J. (2017, October 30). American social policy in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Social Welfare History Project. https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/war-on-pover…Parrott, S. (2022). The Nation Has Made Progress Against Poverty But Policy Advances Are Needed to Reduce Still-High Hardship. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/the-nation-has-made-progress-against-poverty-but-policy-advances#:~:text=Government’s%20increasingly%20effective%20role%20in,Credit%20or%20EITC%20(in%201975)
Chloe Roberts TuesdaySep 12 at 1:19pm
Explain how methods to help the poor have changed in contemporary social welfare. Methods used to address poverty in contemporary social welfare are driven by the shift in social structure and overall understanding of impoverished populations. Social welfare programs established in the Social Security Act of 1935 were originally created to benefit the elderly, single mothers with dependent children, and blind individuals. Since then, amendments have been made and new programs have been added to extend benefits to include all disabled individuals and essentially all impoverished families with children. For example, the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) grant program was designed to benefit single mothers because they were at such an extreme disadvantage without the income of a father figure. However, these benefits shifted to include all single-parent households regardless of the absentee parent in question, as well as parents who were debilitated, deceased, or simply unemployed (ASPE, n.d.). In response to the needs of families with dependent children, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program was enacted in 1996 to provide an assistance program with fewer restrictions. According to Moffitt (2015), “AFDC recipients were automatically eligible for Food Stamps whereas non-AFDC recipients have to make an independent application to the program” (Moffitt, 2015, p.10). Moffitt (2015), adds that establishment of the TANF program led to a significant decline in the percentage of families receiving food stamps between the years of 1983 and 2004 (Moffitt, 2015, p.10). The TANF program expanded eligibility requirements and included those already receiving AFDC benefits, cutting down on application and enrollment traffic. Expanding AFDC parameters along with the establishment of the TANF program prompted families in need to recover from financial distress quickly and become self-sufficient shortly after receiving assistance.Explain how these methods have remained the same. Methods used to advance and improve upon previous welfare reform acts focus on expanding eligibility requirements to reach those in need and making changes to program policies that helps individuals reliant on welfare programs achieve self-sufficiency. For example, work participation rate requirements for TANF eligibility were increased in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (Parrott, et al., 2007). Changes like these rely on states to increase their investments in other programs such as the welfare-to-work program. Social welfare programs gradually expand to accomplish the same goal: lower poverty and unemployment rates to decrease reliance on federally funded social welfare programs. However, state programs that support individuals in finding suitable work opportunities are being overrun and are unable to achieve their purpose in a timely manner without additional support from federal resources.ReferencesAssistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (n.d.). Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – overview. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://aspe.hhs.gov/aid-families-dependent-childr…Moffitt, R. A. (2015). The deserving poor, the family, and the U.S. Welfare System. Demography, 52(3), 729–749. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-015-0395-0.Parrott, S., Schott, L., Sweeney, E., Baider, A., Ganzglass, E., Greenberg, M., Lower-Basch, E., Minoff, E., & Turetsky, V. (2007). Implementing the TANF changes in the Deficit Reduction Act: “Win-win” solutions for families and states (second edition). Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/fil…
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