Module Details

Module Code: PSYC8012
Title: Working with Groups
Long Title: Working with Groups
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2023/24 ( January 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3110 - Psychology
Module Delivered in: no programmes
Module Description: This module supports students to integrate their learnings of group processes and dynamics, within a social care context. The module will encourage an emphasis on leading and facilitating groups. Students will be required to plan, design and deliver material and workshops relevant to the various client groups.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Integrate knowledge of the stages of group development, group roles, communication and leadership styles and be able to apply theories to practice.
LO2 Examine conflict and diversity in group processes.
LO3 Lead and facilitate groups in different social care contexts.
LO4 Plan, design and deliver group workshops and activities to initiate and encourage growth and change.
LO5 Demonstrate the use of reflective practices to evaluate processes and progress and the effectiveness of planned workshop and activities
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.

No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Group Process and Dynamics
Introduction to the theory, principles and practice of group process and dynamics. Stages of group formation and how they apply to the group process.
Leadership
Influence, power and styles.
Structure
Conformity and diversity.
Group Cohesiveness
Facilitation, Design, Planning and Delivery
Communication
Negotiation, facilitation and participation models.
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning through the group process and reflection on active participation in group
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 60
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Assessment Description
Present your group intervention design, identifying all planning and preparation considerations necessary for an effective group design.
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5
Assessment Description
A summarized reflective account of the individual students experience of group, based on active participation and weekly journaling
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat the module
The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery. The student must reattend the module in its entirety in order to be reassessed.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture/Workshop Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Facilitated experiential group Every Week 1.50 1.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Group project research and assimilation. Independent reading. Reflective journal. Every Week 3.50 3.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.50
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture/Workshop Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Facilitated experiential group Every Week 1.50 1.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Group project research and assimilation. Independent reading. Reflective journal. Every Week 3.50 3.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Michael A. Hogg,Graham M. Vaughan. (2009), Essentials of Social Psychology, Prentice Hall, p.422, [ISBN: 9780132069328].
  • Donelson R. Forsyth. (2013), Group Dynamics, 6th. Wadsworth Publishing, p.752, [ISBN: 9781133956532].
  • David W. Johnson, Frank Pierce Johnson. (2013), Joining Together, Pearson Educacion, p.638, [ISBN: 0132989794].
  • Satir Virginia. (1990), Peoplemaking, Souvenir Press, London, [ISBN: 9780285648722].
  • Sandy Schuman. (2010), The Handbook for Working with Difficult Groups, John Wiley & Sons, p.484, [ISBN: 9780470190388].
  • Reginald Nettles,Rochelle Balter. (2012), Multiple Minority Identities, Springer Publishing Company, p.289, [ISBN: 978-0826107022].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Joseph G. Ponterotto et al. (Editors). (2001), Handbook of Multicultural Counseling, SAGE, p.948, [ISBN: 978-0761919841].
  • Gerald L. Wilson. (2004), Groups in Context: Leadership and Participation in Small Groups, McGraw Hill, London, [ISBN: 0072862874].
  • Jarlath F. Benson. (1987), Working More Creatively with Groups, Psychology Press, p.265, [ISBN: 0415075874].
  • Derald Wing Sue, David Sue, Helen A. Neville, Laura Smith. (2022), Counseling the Culturally Diverse, 9th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, p.420, [ISBN: 978-1119861904].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Colli, A. & Lingiardi, V.. (2009), The collaborative interactions scale: A new transcript-based method for the assessment of therapeutic alliance ruptures and resolutions in psychotherapy, Psychotherapy research, 19(6),, p.718.
  • Coutinho, J., Ribeiro, E., Hill, C. & Safran, J.. (2011), Therapists' and clients' experiences of alliance ruptures: A qualitative study, Psychotherapy research, 21(5), p.525-.
  • Safran, J. D. & Kraus, J. (2014), Alliance ruptures, impasses, and enactments: A relational perspective, Psychotherapy, 51(3), p.381.
Other Resources