Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Purpose of Groups ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Chapter Clarity of purpose helps the leader keep the members on course by suggesting relevant activities, asking relevant questions, and cutting off irrelevant discussions Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Being clear about the purpose of the group is perhaps the most important group leadership concept to be learned ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Purpose of Groups To Insure Clarity: Objectives should be well-defined The leader should follow the stated objectives Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Confusing Boring Unproductive ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved When the Leader is Unclear About the Purpose, Groups Can Be… – Getting members comfortable with the group – Introducing the content (anger, divorce, school) Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc The leader must assess the potential members’ needs and then decide which kind of group will be most helpful During the first session of any group, the leader needs to clarify the purpose with the members First sessions have two purposes: ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Determining the Purpose of the Group – Can the Group Have More Than One Purpose? – Must Each Session Have a Purpose? – Can the Purpose Change? – Can There Be No Purpose? – If the Leader is Clear, Will the Members Be? Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Certain questions arise regarding the purpose of groups… ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Common Questions About Purpose Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Some groups may meet only once… a task group in a school setting an psychoeducation group on nutrition a job-seeking skill developmental group For single session groups, clarity of purpose is even more important ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Purpose in Single-Session Groups Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc An outcome evaluation model objectively examines reported behavioral changes in members’ A self-evaluation model asks the leader to set objectives for a session/group and then assess outcomes A members’ evaluation model can be done periodically and at the final session, giving the leader on-going and closing feedback ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Evaluating Groups Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc There continues to be a need for formal research to determine effectiveness of group work Training in group work needs to be tailored more to the needs of specific populations Trainees/students need more supervised experience to develop both general leadership skills and expertise in specific population areas ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Research and Training in Group Leadership ... set objectives for a session /group and then assess outcomes A members’ evaluation model can be done periodically and at the final session, giving the leader on-going and closing feedback ©2016... experience to develop both general leadership skills and expertise in specific population areas ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Research and Training in Group Leadership ... of groups… ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Common Questions About Purpose Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Some groups may meet only once… a task group