PSYC 405 Group Dynamics

Each student is involved in groups. He or she is involved in many groups from the beginning to the end of life. In order to become better participants in groups as members and/or as leaders, an understanding of group dynamics, group process, and group facilitation is imperative. Most careers involve participating in groups or working as teams. Understanding group dynamics and the accompanying skills will improve the student’s effectiveness and marketability.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will then complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, each student will participate in 4 Discussions throughout this course. There will be different topics for each Discussion within the assigned module: week. Each student will compose a 300-500 word thread in answer to the topic, then a 150-250 word reply to 2 classmates’ threads. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertations with at least 2 scholarly sources in current APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly source in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course textbook, the Bible, and/or outside scholarly sources. Your thread must integrate a Christian worldview and biblical themes as appropriate to the demands of the discussion prompt. (CLO: A, B, D, E)

Article Review Assignments (2)

Each student will complete two article reviews during the course of the term of peer-reviewed, empirical research focused on topics from the textbook. The article review will discuss the methods, results, and discussion of the research and apply them to course content. It should be 500–700 words in length and should apply current APA formatting standards. The article must also include a section for an introduction and conclusion. The article used must be sourced from the Jerry Falwell Online Library and published within the last five years. The conclusion must include how this study connects to the related course content and a personal reflection of how the student might apply the results to a group that he/she is currently leading or would like to lead in the future. The article must be cited, but no other sources may be cited in the paper save for citations from the course textbook and/or Bible at the student’s discretion. (CLO: B, D)

Group Interaction Report Assignments (3)

The student will attend three different group settings throughout the course. These must be group settings that he/she is not already a member. Examples might be church groups, AA or NA meetings, community groups, etc. He/she will observe group dynamics and will write a report that is at least 2.5 pages in length for each group setting and make connections to the concepts in the textbook related to the module topic. The student will use the textbook as support for assertions and discussion of the group report. The student must refer to the Group Interaction Report Example document for further instructions on writing and structuring each paper. (CLO: B, C, D, E)

Quizzes (17)

There will be four major multiple-choice quizzes throughout the course. These quizzes will not be cumulative but will assess information assigned during the two weeks prior to each quiz. These quizzes will be the quizzes listed below. (CLO: A, C, E)

• Quiz: Introduction Through Formation
• Quiz: Cohesion Through Structure
• Quiz: Influence, Power, Performance, and Crowds/Collectives
• Quiz: Decision Making, Conflict and Leadership

There will also be thirteen smaller, additional Cengage reading quizzes to complete within the course. Each student will complete these reading quizzes each module: week for the assigned chapters. These reading quizzes can be taken multiple times within the module: week. These quizzes will be the quizzes listed below. (CLO: A, E)

• Quiz: Introduction to Group Dynamics 
• Quiz: Studying Groups
• Quiz: Inclusion and Identity 
• Quiz: Formation
• Quiz: Cohesion and Development
• Quiz: Structure
• Quiz: Influence 
• Quiz: Power 
• Quiz: Performance 
• Quiz: Crowds and Collectives
• Quiz: Decision Making
• Quiz: Conflict 
• Quiz: Leadership