Deck 10: The Transition Stage in Group Work

Question 1

The dynamics of the transition stage are driven by

A) anxiety and fear.
B) confusion and anxiety.
C) anger and fear.
D) confusion and anger.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The transition stage of a group is often compared to the period of

A) childhood.
B) adolescence.
C) adulthood.
D) All of the above.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

During the transition stage, members often

A) argue and fight.
B) test boundaries and power structures.
C) get along and connect.
D) All of the above.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

__________ is NOT one of the stages of group proposed by the text.

A) Growing
B) Storming
C) Norming
D) All of the above.

Question 5

Systems theory posits that behaviors and attitudes that manifest during the transition stage are __________ for optimal growth and health of the group.

A) necessary
B) detrimental
C) not a problem
D) All of the above.

Question 6

According to the systems theory, counseling groups are

A) self-defining.
B) self-organizing.
C) self-regulating.
D) All of the above.

Question 7

Conflict, boundary testing, feedback, and adaptation help create a group environment where member issues

A) get worse.
B) quickly improve.
C) can be addressed effectively.
D) cannot fully be addressed.

Question 8

__________, although sometimes uncomfortable, is viewed as necessary for effective growth and functioning in the group.

A) Conflict
B) Rules
C) Confidentiality
D) All of the above.

Question 9

The amount and kind of contact allowable between members is called

A) conflict.
B) boundaries.
C) feedback.
D) All of the above.

Question 10

From a group systems perspective, __________ feedback is the source of conflict because of its challenging and disturbing qualities.

A) change-resisting
B) change-provoking
C) status quo
D) All of the above.

Question 11

Interactions in the group are seen as attempts to maintain homeostasis and regulate behavior, and result in the establishment of

A) cohesion.
B) trust.
C) group norms.
D) All of the above.

Question 12

Members who are unwilling to share personal information or consider the opinions of others are considered to

A) have impermeable boundaries.
B) be leaders in the group.
C) be the most active group members.
D) All of the above.

Question 13

The boundary structure of the group should

A) be permeable.
B) be flexible.
C) maintain safety.
D) All of the above.

Question 14

Once a group survives a conflict event, the group will likely

A) split apart.
B) move toward greater intimacy and growth.
C) have less trust within the group.
D) All of the above.

Question 15

__________ is/are considered the driving force in the group.

A) Anxiety
B) Trust
C) Rules
D) All of the above.

Question 16

__________ groups typically lack a structured agenda or program.

A) Task
B) Psychoeducational
C) Psychotherapy
D) All of the above.

Question 17

__________ communication may occur within a group.

A) Explicit
B) Implicit
C) Verbal
D) All of the above.

Question 18

__________ is NOT one of the three primary needs that Schutz identified as being satisfied through relationships with others?

A) Belonging
B) Inclusion
C) Control
D) Affection

Question 19

Individuals have a desire to be seen as

A) competent.
B) reliable.
C) worthy of trust.
D) All of the above.

Question 20

__________ feedback supports the usual way of doing things and helps to maintain the status quo in the group.

A) Change-resisting
B) Change-provoking
C) Status quo
D) All of the above.

Question 21

__________ describes a common fear among members during the transition stage?

A) "If I show my true self, I will be ignored, or worse, rejected"
B) "If I express my anger, I will lose control"
C) "If I look too deep, I'll discover that there is nothing there"
D) All of the above.

Question 22

During the transition stage, some hostility toward the leader is

A) expected and normal, as members learn that the leader will not fulfill certain unrealistic expectations.
B) uncommon and should be dealt with swiftly to avoid losing control.
C) often very serious and physically aggressive.
D) not common, but can be easily handled by speaking to the individual separately.

Question 23

When group members dominate the group by always turning the discussion back on themselves, they are engaging in

A) off topic behavior.
B) advice giving.
C) rescuing.
D) excessive storytelling.

Question 24

During the challenges of the transition stage, a group leader focusing on one member only is

A) encouraged, if the individual could benefit from 1:1 support during the group.
B) commonplace during this stage.
C) problematic because it may foster complete reliance on the leader to guide the discussion, rather than cultivate a self-sustaining group.
D) justified, even if it temporarily makes other members uncomfortable.

Question 25

__________ is a common "trap" group leaders fall into when handling transition issues.

A) Justifying the group
B) Inducing guilt
C) Generalizing feelings of one member to the whole group
D) All of the above.

Question 26

Describe the three primary needs that Schutz suggested were satisfied through relationships with others.

Question 27

Describe the two ways that Schutz suggested people protect themselves from the pain of rejection.

Question 28

Describe how individuals may deal with issues around fears of incompetence.

Question 29

Describe common fears of group members that may surface during the transition stage of group.

Question 30

Describe some of the most common behaviors observed during transition.

Question 31

Discuss the common leader traps when trying to handle transition issues (i.e., resistance).

Question 32

Discuss ways in which group members may show hostility toward the leader during the transition stage. Why does this often occur?

Question 33

Describe hostility that members may have toward other group members during this stage. What are some of the behaviors that elicit negative reactions in group members?

Question 34

Identify and explain the fundamental practices for handling member behaviors in the transition stage.

Question 35

Explain why groups are inherently anxiety provoking. How does this anxiety contribute to the challenging and resistant behaviors often displayed during the transition stage?