Dear Mike,

Here is my…

Group Dynamics Final Paper Progress Report

Theme

Since talking to you last week, I’ve refined my theme from the “one in every group” idea to Invisible Dynamics: what goes on beneath the surface that never gets expressed (unless you’re in some kind of encounter group, like doing blindfolded naked finger-painting).

The topic interests me because it’s relevant to just about every human interaction, particularly those in which we cluster for a common purpose. So much has remained unspoken — frustration, insecurity, anger — even in the context of our Group Dynamics class, whose intent is (in part) to help us bring those things to the surface. And as a teacher it’s a crucial thing to be aware of.

Tasks/Elements

• I will individually interview members of one (maybe two) of the three-person groups who made a presentation last week in LALP. I know that there were tensions that were unexpressed. From those who were frustrated I’d like to find out what the issues were and why they remained unspoken. In talking to the others (who of course won’t know the content of their peers’ interviews) I’d like to hear their perspective and see if there’s any connection between the perceptions of the other two members. These interview excerpts will be presented anonymously, of course.
• Since this is an hard-if-not-impossible-to-spot phenomenon just in one classroom visit, observation won’t be part of my project. Instead. I’d like to interview one of the SIT teachers to find out if/how they notice those things in their student groups, and what they do about them.
• Finally, I’m going to try to find a published reference or two that addresses this subterranean dynamic, specifically in the adult student population. If you have recommendations, please let me know.

Funly yours,
Ginna