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Group Influence Paper
Adreena Lind
October 28,2013
Psychology 400
Pr. Jodi Clarke

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Part I
1. How were the people arranged in the physical environment (layout of room and seating
arrangement)?
The environment was comfortable an invited (nothing like what I had expected). The
group members were free to sit where they pleased and the entire atmosphere was calm
and relaxing. There was a larger sofa and several comfortable looking chairs placed
around a coffee table. It almost had anatmosphere of being at a good friend’s house with
new and old friends for some kind of book club or something along those lines.
2. What is the composition of the group, in terms of number of people, ages, sex, ethnicity,
etc.?
The group session I was invited to attend consisted of several women (varying from ten
to twelve). The group members varied in age, and ethnicity. All of these women had
different stories with one thing in common; they had all experienced some kind of
domestic violence and now sought a new life free from that fear and anxiety.
3. What are the group purpose, mission, and goals?
This group seems to work to allow women that have experienced certain traumatic events
in their lives to learn from one another’s stories. The group is a safe place that these
women are able to share intimate part of their lives and are often exceptionally venerable
in doing so; the meetings are meant to be a judgment free zone. By talking and
interacting with each other the group as well as the individual are able to see that she is
not alone and can build trust and a sense of community to establish or re-establish a
deeper understanding of self.
4. What is the duration of the group (short, long-term)? Explain.

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The group session last for an hour; I did not get the impression that this was too long or
too short. It did seem that most of the women really enjoyed the session, and that it really
helped them to find solace and grow from their experiences.
5. Did the group structure its discussion around an agenda, program, rules of order, etc.?
The group discussed personal goals, past events of each person’s situation, why each
person was here and what she expected to gain from this experience. Many of the women
really seems to want to find a better direction and how to move on from the past and
making changes, so that she would not spinalback into to the same patterns. There are no
formal rules except topics of discussion are to stay within the confines of the group, to be
respectful and receptive to others.
6. Describe the structure of the group. How is the group organized?
The group started with and an introduction from the group facilitator and then each
member gave her name and share some information about self. After the introduction, the
facilitator restated the minutes from the meeting that had taken place prior to this
meeting. Some of the previous topics were discussed briefly, so that all the group
members were familiar with the events of that meeting. The facilitator then asked the
women of the group if there were any particular topics that they would like to discuss or
share. Many of the women seemed somewhat shy at first, but then the conversation
began. The more familiar members seem to be more willing to share their stories and
feeling, but eventually everyone joined the conversation.
7. Who are the primary facilitators of the group?
The primary facilitator is a social worker. The social worker seemed to work as a
mediator, counselor, and guide for the women and the direction of the meeting.

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Additionally, I believe the guide engaged the women using useful and thought provoking
tools and open-ended questions to help the group discussions progress.
8. What subject or issues did the group members examine during the meeting?
I think one of the biggest issues with the group was trust, every seemed to wait to develop
a trusting relationship and also be able to trust their own judgment in live, parenting, and
finding a happy relationship. Many of the group discussion were centered onrecognizing
signs of anabuser and avoiding those types of relationships. Another topic that seemed to
be very important was for the mothers of children that had seen or been abused learn to
handle that fact and to really understand the effects that abuse has on the child(ren).
9. What types of information did members exchange in their group?
The majority of the talks were directed at how to avoid entering another abusive
relationship and to look out for the signs of an aggressive partner. Additionally, members
of the group often discussed how to help children deal with copping and moving passed
the violence that he or she had experienced. This was a very important topic to many of
the women as most were parents.
10. What were the group's norms, roles, status hierarchy, or communication patterns?
I think that one of the norms was having an understanding that not every person in the
meeting was going to want to share that the talks had to be provoking and still supportive
and comforting. Many of the women that did share had seemed have been in the program
longer and had developed a degree of trust in the group. The group had become familiar
and the process of sharing and finding with the process. These women were comfortable
with sharing and helping other (newer members) want to share and confide in the group
discussion.

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11. What communication patterns illustrated if the group was unified or fragmented?
Explain.
There were some points where the social worker had to draw the conversation back to a
main topic. I do think is this way the conversation was fragmented, but this was not the
entire time. I think that when dealing with people from different backgrounds and
experiences it can be difficult to maintain a steady focus, but the topics always seem to be
what was most important to each member. For example, at one point in the group session
that was a reading of an article where a woman was raped because she did not suspect an
acquaintance to be “that kind of person.” The women were asked to give examples of
some possible signs that may have indicted the man was a “possible” aggressor. There
were some scattered conversation, but for the most part the talks did seem to be focused
and unified.
12. Did the members share a sense of identity with one another (characteristics of the groupsimilarities, interests, philosophy, etc.)?
I think that the women were able to identify with one another because they had each
experienced some kind of trauma whether verbal, mental, sexual, or physical. Their
stories may have been different, but there was still this connect that each women was not
allow in the fight to move past the pain and gain a strong self-image, independence, and
confidence. Many of the members seem to be at different levels of healing, but there was
a strong supportive system put in place to support this process and one that I believe
created a bond between its members.
13. Was there any indication that members might be vulnerable to Groupthink? Why or why
not?

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I do not think that there is any indication that members would be venerable to groupthink.
The group seems to work towards building the individual’s perception and understanding
of violence in order to make better discussions and avoid making the same mistakes. I did
not see anyone trying to mask any issue that was presented to the group and in fact,
because of the subject matter, find that groupthink would be practically impossible. Each
woman has her own story and must deal with her own pain, but the group seems to be put
in place so that each woman knows she has somewhere where she is able to relate to
other women that have been through similar trauma and are still surviving and growing
from those experiences.
14. In your opinion, how did the collective group behaviors influence individual attitudes and
the group's effectiveness? Provide your overall analysis.
At the end of the session, the women seemed to be happier; I think the mood and
progression of the group environment allowed the group members feel less isolated in
their grief and experiences. The group environment seemed to have given these women a
chance to feel like a survivor, rather than a victim. The group provided knowledge and
experience that otherwise would not have been possible. I think being able to see other
people live through similar events allowed these women to keep moving forward and not
give in to their own heart-ache. I loved my experience during this group session and was
truly inspired. I hope that in the future I have the opportunity to come back and play a
more substantial role in help women like the group members I met during this meeting.

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Abstract
This paper will analyze the group dynamic from a socio-psychological perspectivein order to
provide a clearer understanding of group influence. In addition,this paper will clarify aspects of
norm formation, conformity, and group norms in an observed social environment from a primary
sourceversus related research and studies on the subject matter from secondary sources. This
paper will work to develop a comprehensive understanding of how social interactionsinfluence
the individual and the group dynamic. Finally, this paper will expounduponthe information
gathered from observing a socially interactive group in comparison with the collective studies in
order to determine the most reliable conclusion.

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Group Influence Paper
Part II
The group environment is the social interaction between two or more people. Groups
have the power to influence the perspectives of individuals in social events (Myers, 2010). The
magnitude of influence that a group can have far extends beyond the development of
interpersonal relationships. The development of a group dynamic has a great deal to do with the
behaviors of the individual members. The behaviors of members influence and affect fellow
members on a subconscious level. The social interactions and events of the group impact all
members and these behaviors affect ultimately the quality and success of the group experience.
The Safe Horizon Women’s Therapy Group is one such group. The organization, Safe Horizon,
is the leading advocacy and intervention center for victims of sexual violence and crimes, abuse,
trafficking, and homelessness (Safe Horizon, 2013). The program provides victims and their
family members with an opportunity to have access to many different resources; one of which
being group counseling.
During an observed session of the social interactions between group participants of the
Safe Horizon Women’s Therapy Group there appeared to be a strong social involvement and
unity among its members. This particular group works to develop the self-esteem of its members
and break down any feelings of isolation caused by being victims of violence. Social influence
often occurs when the individual acts together with additional individuals or group members
(Safe Horizon, 2013). The impact of this interaction can be positive or negative depending on the
ultimate goals of those exterior influences and generally does influence the future behaviors of

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the individual (Myers, 2010). The goal of the group session is to provide a judgment free safe
environment, whichthese experiences can be sharedand learned from (Safe Horizon, 2013).
The session was comprisedof approximately 10 members; all the members of this group
were women. Some of the women had children, some did not, and all had experiences that differ
from others in the group. No two stories were alike; every woman seemed to come from a
different backgrounds and experienced abuse in different ways. Some of the women had
experienced prolonged physical, mental, verbal, and sexual violence for years before seeking
help, others had experienced abused of their children, or short-term interaction with an
aggressive or abusive spouse or partner. Upon entering the room where the meeting was heldwas
a circle formed by several chairs and a larger sofa around a coffee table. The chairs were placedon
one side and the sofa on the other; in between the two halves of the furniture formed circle was a
small but comfy looking chair, which the facilitator used. Seating for the other members in the group
was not assigned and the members seemed to sit wherever most comfortable.
The hierarchy that was to be establishedin the group session was basedupon seniority
(i.e.Women thathad been in the shelter longer). The meeting began with a greeting and brief
introduction of the members starting with the facilitator; a social worker named Janelle. The
conversation moved to a brief overview of the last meeting, restating some of the talks and
relating that discussion to new topics. The facilitator drew the conversation to a recent article the
local newspaper. The group members were permitted to join in the developing conversation;
stating their opinions of the topic in the news and how it related to their own experiences. The
more vocal members were the senior members of the group and their enthusiasm seemed to work
as an invitation for the newer group members. The group members exchanged their thoughts,

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concerns, and perspectives based on their individual situations. No topic was off limits in relation to
the topic and was open to all the group members could join the conversation with one another.
Groupthink is the psychological term that relates the group’s desire a united perspective and
often does so by the group member’s submission to the group ideal and of conforming to those
beliefs (Friedkin, 2001). Social groups that display signs of have groupthink desire and have a need
for complete control of its members, which is donethrough processes of conformity. This is done is
the hopes of preserving the ideals of the group at the cost of the individuality of the group member
(Myers, 2010). The process of conformity called on three principles; the group must be cohesive,
isolatedfrom opposing views, and a strong a leader whose decisions solely benefited his or herself
(Myers, 2010). The Safe Horizon Women’s Therapy Group showed no indication that groupthink
played no particular role in the success of the group.The group members sought the comfort of the
group as a way to escape isolation and be freed from feelings of conforming to a violent partner in
the past.
The definition of conformity is the altering or assuming behaviors and attitudes that are
beneficialto fit with the social norms in a group or social environment (Friedkin, 2001). The Safe
Horizon Women’s Therapy Group while exhibiting social norms and protocols; such being respectful
or others and not discussing information in the group outsidethe group environment there did not
seem to be conformity among the group members. The purpose of the group seemed to promote
individuality versus trying to create a solitary unit from its members. The members were authentic,
honest, and themselves the entire session and showed no signs of wanting to ever again bow to the
whims of another person, let alone a group. It is true that most of these women were venerable
because of their experiences, but the support of the group environment and the aid of the facilitator
seemed to be empowering rather than trying to diminish ones individuality. The influence of a group
dynamic can have significant effects on the individual. In fact some studies even show how

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interpersonal bonds and relationship can build the emotional state of an individual (Friedkin, 2001).
The information gathered from observing this group session suggests this is true. The emotional state
that was manifested in this groupwasa positive one that the members seemed to appreciate.
Social interaction, group, and interpersonal relationships are essential component of
human life. Human beings are designedto find other people and create social relationships.
Social interactions enhance cognitive skills in the individual and groups to develop technology,
knowledge, intellect, solve problems, language skills, communication, and so much
more.Although it is true that there are those that take advantage of the group environment by
creating a negative influence on the individual this is not the norm (Friedkin, 2001). The idea of
completely avoiding social interaction is almost obscene because it has so any beneficial
components, and adds so much depth to the human experience. The Safe Horizon Women’s
Therapy Group is a positive social group that serves its individual members through a supportive
and shared atmosphere when some are at the lowest points. This organization helps to save lives,
rebuild self-esteem, and helps its members to regain a sense of self. The group members learn to
move past their experiences, negativity, and trauma to get their lives together and achieve
individual goals.

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References
Friedkin, N. (2001, July). Norm Formation in Social Influence Networks. Science Direct, 23(3),
167-189.
Myers, D. (2010). Social Psychology (10th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.